After six years of organizing the Namolokama Open Water Swim at Hanalei Bay, the 2013 version will be different for Dick Smith. It’s not because the event has a new name: the Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge. It’s not because the
After six years of organizing the Namolokama Open Water Swim at Hanalei Bay, the 2013 version will be different for Dick Smith.
It’s not because the event has a new name: the Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge.
It’s not because the distances are measured in meters and there’s two adult swim courses instead of three.
It’s not because Smith and his wife Barbara won’t be organizing everything.
This year, Smith will be diving into the water, along with a few hundred other swimmers in this friendly competition.
“I have never swam my race,” he said while sitting at a picnic table at Hanalei Beach Park. “I’ve put in hundreds of miles of training out here over the years. This is going to be my first time, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Organizers of the 7th annual Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge have set their sights on attracting a record 300 swimmers for the July 27 event. It will include two distances for adults — 1,000 and 3,000 meters — and two races for keiki.
Gregg Kravitz said the swim already has strong support and has grown from 60 swimmers in its first year to 200 last year. And it’s done that just through fliers and the Coconut Wireless.
He has some ideas for bringing in more folks than ever for the scenic swim. The club increased marketing, created a website, and is contacting swim clubs throughout the state to help with promotion. Different sponsorship levels were created to encourage donations.
To increase competition and participation, the Namolokama Canoe Club has challenged other outrigger canoe clubs to send teams of six to the Challenge to see which canoe club has the best swimmers.
“Kauai has some extremely talented swimmers here,” Kravitz said.
The name change, from the Namolokama Canoe Club’s annual Open Water Swim, to the Hanalei Bay Swim challenge, gives it more of a defined identity.
Kravitz said it could become a signature North Shore event, much like the Kauai Marathon and Koloa Plantation Days are on the South Shore.
“Other than the Haena to Hanalei run, there aren’t any other events on the North Shore,” he said.
The Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge, he said, has great potential.
“We see this becoming more than a Kauai thing. It could be a destination,” he said. “We really hope to see people coming over here for a swim.”
He added that the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development has offered its backing to the event, which promotes physical fitness, water safety and “healthy competition.”
Smith said he pitched the idea of a swim a fundraiser for the Namolokama Canoe Club.
“I made the mistake of saying, ‘The option is, either the club will take responsibility for it, or I will take responsibility for it.’ And they said, ‘Be our guest. You’ve got it,’” Smith said, laughing.
Still, he knew this was going to be something very, very special.
The triathlete has swam in the waters off Maui, Oahu and the Big Island. All of them challenging, yes. But to match Hanalei Bay in beauty? No chance.
“Hanalei Bay is without a doubt the most beautiful swim venue I’ve ever seen,” he said.
For six years, he and his wife Barbara, joined by club members and volunteers, put together the “labor intensive” open water swim.
“It’s taken hold. It’s become a great community event,” Barbara said.
Each year, proceeds from $500 to $1,000 have gone to charities. Swimmers from age 4 to 80 of all abilities have participated.
“This is for everybody. It’s a family event,” Barbara Smith said.
But it became a bit overwhelming, even for two veterans like the Smiths.
“At the end of last year, Barbara and I decided it had just become too much for the two of us,” he said.
So Smith asked the club’s board to take it over, and they agreed, with Kravitz stepping to the forefront.
The course stays inside the boats and runs parallel to the shoreline, with a slight curve, instead of out into the ocean, which can be bring on a bit of anxiety for some and require more support.
It’s comforting, Smith said, when swimmers can sight the shoreline.
“If they think they’re in trouble they can swim to shore,” he said.
Safety is foremost in mind. There will be 30 boarders lining the courses. The county is providing two lifeguards and a Jet Ski, too.
It’s especially fun to see the keiki splash into the water.
“The excitement is just unreal,” Smith said.
The top three kids in each age group receive medals, and all finishers receive ribbons.
“They’re very proud of that,” Barbara Smith said.
“These kids brag about this for years, being able to have a ribbon because they finished the race,” Kravitz said.
Barbara Smith encourages anyone to sign up — even if you’re not all confident in the water.
“I’ve told people for years, come out and try. You never know. They may be last, but it’s OK. They did it. People were cheering them on, bringing them in,” she said.
On race day, July 27, late registration opens at 7 a.m. on the beach by the Hanalei Bay Pier. The first race (keiki race) starts at 9 a.m. The races, distances, and entry fees are:
• Pier for 8 & under / $10 or $15 after July 12
• Pier for 12 & under / $10 or $15 after July 12
• 1000 meters parallel to the beach for 19 & under/20-29/30-39/40-49/50-59/60-69/70+ / $30 or $40 after July 12
• 3000 meters parallel to the beach for 19 & under/20-29/30-39/40-49/50-59/60-69/70+ / $30 or $40 after July 12
Register online at www.hanaleibayswimchallenge.com
Each swimmer will receive a T-shirt, swim cap and food and drink afterwards.
“You can’t go wrong,” Kravitz said.
