HANALEI — Walker Bell of Santa Barbara, Calif., was the top finisher of the 3,000-meter race in Saturday’s swim competition. “It’s a privilege to swim in water like this. I’m used to low-50s, so it’s nice to swim in a
HANALEI — Walker Bell of Santa Barbara, Calif., was the top finisher of the 3,000-meter race in Saturday’s swim competition.
“It’s a privilege to swim in water like this. I’m used to low-50s, so it’s nice to swim in a bathtub for once,” Bell said. “Pretty flat on the way down and kind of choppy on the way back. But overall, really nice. Beautiful.”
The 11th annual Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge took place Saturday morning.
There were 207 registered entrants in Saturday’s contest on Kauai’s North Shore hosted by Namolokama O’Hanalei Canoe Club.
The swim challenge consisted of five races this year — the 3,000-meter swim, the 1,000-meter swim, the ages 9-12 division swim, the 8-and-under swim and the 1,000-meter swim with snorkel, fins and mask.
“We feel so lucky about the conditions,” said event coordinator Pam Murphy. “Especially locals, they kind of wait last minute to see if the ocean is clean. So, it’s been awesome. We couldn’t have had a more beautiful day.
“The entries have been great. The furthest traveler traveled from Switzerland. We have a family of three — a father and his two sons,” she continued. “We have New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Hawaii is so well-represented. I think there’s Hawaii and eight states represented. The youngest swimmer was 2, and the oldest was 87.”
Bell, who also is a collegiate swimmer for the University of Southern California, finished with a time of 33 minutes, 47 seconds.
“First time doing this event,” he said. “We’ve been coming to the island. It’s kind of a summer tradition for vacation, but first time I’ve heard of the swim. And my dad and I decided to give it a shot.”
Alexandr Jalleau of Canada was the top finisher in the 1,000-meter race with a time of 15 minutes, 35 seconds.
Kamaira Silva, 12, of Lihue placed first in the Pier 9-12 race, covering the keiki course of roughly 150 yards in 2 minutes, 26 seconds.
Silva also swam the 1,000-meter race and finished fourth overall with a time of 16 minutes, 54 seconds. The time gave her a first-place finish in the race’s 1-15 female division.
“I think I felt OK,” Silva said. “It just felt great to me.”
Lilah Mcconnell of La Canada, Calif., placed first in the Pier 1-8 division and topped the 8-and-under division with a time of 3 minutes, 40 seconds.
Steve Cole topped the 1,000-meter swim with snorkel and fins division with a time of 19 minutes, 29 seconds.
The annual event is the signature fundraiser for local nonprofit Namolokama O’Hanalei.
The proceeds from this year’s swim will go toward rebuilding a clubhouse for the club and a portion of the proceeds will also go to the Waipa Foundation in Hanalei, said club president Hobey Beck.
“Each year down here at the beach, we’re greeted with a huge rainbow coming out of Hanalei. Again this morning, like clockwork, at 8 o’clock it came out and said we got the green light to go,” he said. “Just an incredible day.”
Division Top 10 finishers
3,000-meter
1. Walker Bell, 20-29 male division, Santa Barbara, Calif., 33:47.
2. Frank Bird, 50-59 male division, San Pedro, Calif., 37:15.
3. Brent Bessire, 40-49 male division, Santa Rosa, Calif., 37:50.
4. Kate Dwelley, 20-29 female division, Campbell, Calif., 38:03.
5. Teague Soderman, 40-49 male division, Sunnyvale, Calif., 38:17.
6. Kekoa Jackson, 20-29 male division, San Francisco, Calif., 39:03.
7. Kai Bartlett, 40-49 male division, Makawao, Hawaii, 40:54.
8. John McMullen, 60-69 male division, Princeville, Hawaii, 41:56.
9. Shannon Wigent, 40-49 female division, Kalaheo, Hawaii, 42:40.
10. Joshua Owens, 40-49 male division, Kapaa, Hawaii, 42:44.
1,000-meter
1. Alexandr Jalleau, 40-49 male division, Canada, 15:35.
2. Kaira Kaaihue, 16-19 female division, Lawai, Hawaii, 15:46.
3. Phaelan French, 20-29 female division, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, 16:49.
4. Kamaira Silva, 1-15 female division, Lihue, Hawaii, 16:54.
5. Kayla Effinger, 20-29 female division, Camel, Indiana, 16:57.
6. David Rietow, 70-and-over male division, Kamuela, Hawaii, 17:04.
7. Triston Knoth, 20-29 male division, San Carlos, Calif., 17:15.
8. Braden Krovoza, 50-59 male division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 17:30.
9. Katy Curtis, 50-59 female division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 18:55.
10. Claire Bardin, 16-19 female division, Pacific Palisades, Calif., 18:58.
1,000-meter with snorkel and fins
1. Steve Cole, male division, residence unknown, 19:29.
2. Anthony Hatto, male division, Kapaa, Hawaii, 23:59.
3. Marc DiPrero, male division, Tarpon Spring, Florida, 26:26.
4. Carolyn Galatzan, female division, Princeville, Hawaii, 26:48.
5. John Ferry, male division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 29:08.
6. Lilly Dowling, female division, Kapaa, Hawaii, 29:52.
7. Cindy Kacher, female division, Arlington, Virgina, 30:31.
8. Kellie Harada, female division, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1 hour, 2:57.
9. Eldridge Naboa, male division, Naalehu, Hawaii, 1 hour, 3:00.
Pier 9-12
1. Kamaira Silva, female division, Lihue, Hawaii, 2:26.
2. Elijah Adams, male division, Lihue, Hawaii, 2:51.
3. Javin Hennessy, male division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 2:56.
4. Pulama Kaeo, female division, Lihue, Hawaii, 2:57.
5. Alfred Auger, male division, Kapaa, Hawaii, 2:57.
6. Keegan Kelty, male division, Tucson, Ariz., 2:58.
7. Grace Mcconnell, female division, La Canada, Calif., 3:01.
8. Viktor Sigrigt, male division, residence unknown, 3:13.
9. Emma Simmons, female division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 3:21.
10. Piper Sheehan, female division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 3:23.
Pier 1-8
1. Lilah Mcconnell, female division, La Canada, Calif., 3:40.
2. Ashlyn Worley, female division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 3:55.
3. Finn Bessire, male division, Santa Rosa, Calif., 3:57.
4. Jude Volles, male division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 4:02.
5. Starlyn Krovoza, female division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 4:17.
6. Nona Kimber, female division, Hanalei, Hawaii, 4:57.
7. Moses Adams, male division, Lihue, Hawaii, 4:58.
8. Kyle Graham, male division, Manhattan Beach, Calif., 5:02.
9. Callie Worley, female division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 5:23.
10. North Krovoza, male division, Kilauea, Hawaii, 5:25.
Full results at jtltiming.com.
