NAWILIWILI — Dick and Barbara Smith of Namolokama Canoe Club based out of Hanalei came to demonstrate support as well as promote their upcoming swim, Wednesday at the second Niumalu Canoe Club Swim and Stand Up Paddle event. Instead, they
NAWILIWILI — Dick and Barbara Smith of Namolokama Canoe Club based out of Hanalei came to demonstrate support as well as promote their upcoming swim, Wednesday at the second Niumalu Canoe Club Swim and Stand Up Paddle event.
Instead, they each went home with second-place finishes, Dick getting second in the 1,500 meter men’s swim event on a 43:26.36 swim and Barbara taking second in the 750 meter women swim on a 36:53.54 swim.
“We just wanted to come and show our support for a sister club’s event,” Dick said, eagerly handing out fliers for their July 28 swim in Hanalei. “We had to get up at 5 a.m. to get here in time, but it’s a holiday so we can always enjoy breakfast before going home.”
The top finish in the men’s 1,500 meter swim went to Brandon Jacinto who touched at 30:31.93 while Leeann Starineri touched first in the 750 meter women’s on a 24:19.44 swim.
John Tyler topped the 750 meter men with a 17:40.83 swim followed by Arie Acorda getting the runner-up berth on a 19:03.04 swim with Joel Punzal taking third place at 22:25.27.
Katie Jeffers, 10, of Oral Valley, Ariz., took the top prize for the keiki swim on a 2:12.7 for an approximately 250 meter swim.
“She’s been here for two weeks and has been in the water every single day,” said her dad, Brad. “We read about the event in the paper and she decided she wanted to do it.”
Marva Jeffers, Katie’s mom, said Katie swims for the Pusch Ridge Pirates swim club out of Tucson and she wanted to do the swim in preparation for a championship meet in which she will swim when she returns home.
“It’s tiring, but fun,” Katie said, catching her breath after toiling against the waves and current of the early Kalapaki breaks.
Marleny Cotrim, working a Battle Board conceptual SUP, topped the 750 women’s SUP on an 8:16 paddle with Suzie Olsen touching at 11:04 on a conventional SUP.
A participant known as Abraham, garbed in a red Da Life shirt, topped the men’s 750 SUP on a 7:40 paddle followed by Jacob Punzal, participating in both the swim and SUP, landing at 8:47.
Gary Warwick, the researcher behind the conceptual Battle Board, used one of three versions he had on the beach to top the 1,500 meter men’s SUP followed by Krishan, another Da Life red shirt touching at 12:11, almost a full minute back.
The difference in the SUP handling was obvious at the midway turn when Warwick, closely challenged by Krishan, slipped ahead when the bouy turn slowed Warwick to a near halt, spectators kidding him about not applying the brake.
Dave Parmenter, working through a course error, filled in third place in the 1,500 meter men’s on a corrected 12:59 which included the penalty for the course error.
Chelsea Pabo topped the 1,500 meter women’s SUP on a 15:48.
Dick Smith, who had caught his breath and chatting with Katie Jeffers, said registration for the 6th annual Hanalei Open Water Swim can be done online at www.hanaleiswim.org with more information and forms at www.namolokama.com.
For those who register by July 15, there is a shirt guarantee and a discounted entry fee.
“This is a kids and family event,” Dick said. “Parents can swim with their kids and kids can swim with parents.”
Additionally, funds raised from the event are partially shared with the community. This year’s benefactor is the restoration of the historic Hanalei Pier, Barbara said. “In past events, we’ve helped the American Cancer Society, the Kaua‘i Food Bank for the Hanalei area and used some of the money to help sponsor children to the swim,” she said. “There is a sponsorship form on the website so people can help sponsor keiki swimmers.”
For more information, visit www.namolokama.com, or call the Smiths at 826-7585, or 482-1345.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
