Namolokama men topped the Hanalei Long Distance canoe race by just two seconds over a hard-pulling Pu‘uwai Masters over the weekend. “We have gone from the regatta season to the Long Distance season with the start of the big long
Namolokama men topped the Hanalei Long Distance canoe race by just two seconds over a hard-pulling Pu‘uwai Masters over the weekend.
“We have gone from the regatta season to the Long Distance season with the start of the big long distance race,” said Mi Pauletto, vice president of the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association. “We had Na Pali Challenge, now the Hanalei Canoe Club’s Long Distance race with the Dads Center this weekend on O‘ahu.”
Namolokama, finishing fourth in Na Pali Challenge (4:24:34) below Hawaiian Canoe Club-Dana, Team Bradley and Outrigger-Hui Lanakila, finished top in the Open division on its 1:19:37 for the first place overall finish this weekend.
They were followed by Pu‘uwai Masters crossing in 1:19:39 through the course that started at the Hanalei Pier out to the Tunnels Beach area to the Dump Trucks turnaround and back to Hanalei.
That second overall finish earned Pu‘uwai Masters top billing in the Master 40+ Men division.
The close finish in the Hanalei Long Distance paralleled Na Pali where Namolokama was challenged by Buddy Wilson’s Mix Nuts that crossed the finish bouy at 4:24:55, just 11 seconds back.
Pauletto said there were 27 crews taking part in both the Women, Men and Mixed divisions.
“It was a great race even with one perfect storm huli,” Pauletto said. “The crew regrouped and finished the race with no injuries. They did a great job.”
Namolokama open was the top overall women crew to finish, crossing the line on a 1:24:34 paddle to take top billing in the Open Women class.
Following Namolokama women, Niumalu (1:26:14) and host Hanalei (1:31:35) filled in the leader board for that class.
Kaiola Mixed, finishing third overall for the women, topped that class with a 1:27:51 paddle followed by Niumalu (1:29:27) and Namolokama (1:35:31).
Niumalu (1:43:13) was the singular crew in the Senior Master 50+ Women division, and Kaiola (1:29:35) fielded the only team in the Masters 40+ Women division.
Following Namolokama (1:33:50) in the Senior Master 50+ Men division, Kaiola filled in the second slot on a 1:40:40 paddle.
Pu‘uwai (1:19:39) was followed by Kaiola (1:26:16) and Namolokama (1:27:06) in the Master 40+ Men division.
Following Namolokama in the Open Men class, Kaiola (1:23:48) and Hanalei (1:25:21) filled in the leader board.
Pauletto said following this weekend’s event on O‘ahu, the long distance season will continue with the Queen Liliuokalani Labor Day weekend event on the Big Island followed by Na Wahine O Ke Kai and the Molokai Hoe to close out the season.
“The GIRCA is sending crews to these events and we wish them well on the water,” Pauletto said. “All in all, the Hanalei long distance day went very well as the canoe clubs set up the training.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
