Mark Frazier, 41, topped the Long Course Open Division during the second Kauai Hoe Waa race from the Kapaa Beach Park to Nawiliwili Harbor on Thursday. Racing aboard a custom Scorpius, Frazier completed the course in 1 hour, 14 minutes,
Mark Frazier, 41, topped the Long Course Open Division during the second Kauai Hoe Waa race from the Kapaa Beach Park to Nawiliwili Harbor on Thursday.
Racing aboard a custom Scorpius, Frazier completed the course in 1 hour, 14 minutes, challenged by Keone Miyake aboard a Kai Waa Antares, who touched down just 1 second later on the 12-mile course with a field of 28 paddlers.
Tom Thompson of Kauai Hoe Waa said weather conditions were challenging on race day with 15 knots of northeast wind and five-foot waves striking the canoes port-side and driving them into the rocks short of the required round of the Ahukini Point.
In all, 48 paddlers left the Kapaa Beach Park and Hanamaulu Beach Park, including a surfski, three stand up paddlers, and 44 one-man canoes.
Thompson, who finished 16th overall at 1:26:35, said one of the canoes was a Tahitian V-1 rudderless canoe which was produced and paddled by Kauai’s Luke Evslin who touched down at 1:24.46, 12th overall.
Following Frazier, Lauren Denton claimed top female honors, touching at 1:28:17, 17th overall. Gray Warwich, 58, topped the SUP division on a 1:47:58.4 run.
Bob Koslowski topped the Short Course (Hanamaulu Beach start) on a 43-minute run with Laola Aea topping the women at 50:42.2, 7th overall, followed by Janet Nathanson (54:21.4) and Doneen Stoakes (54:22.7).
Thompson said The Kauai Hoe Waa Association encourages the public to participate, or “just come out and watch the action” when it hosts its next event Sunday.
Visit www.kauaihoewaa.org for more information.
