WAILUA — Waimea High School outrigger canoe paddling teams showed strong on Saturday during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation sprints regatta that moved to the Wailua River course following three weeks of long distance paddling.
Menehune paddling teams in varsity girls and varsity mixed divisions captured first place spots, while Kapa‘a High School commanded the varsity boys race with a solid run that stopped the clocks at 4 minutes, 12.39 seconds during the final race of the division. That was about six seconds faster than Kaua‘i High School’s at 4:18.28. The Menehune finished that race in third place in a 4:20.36 paddle.
Due to the width of navigable water, the races were broken down into two heats with each heat and teams drawing for lane choices.
During the varsity girls races where the Menehune and Voyager teams flip-flopped for control of the division, the Menehune team of Iliau Makua, Bri Kanahele, Tennagie Simao, Makalapua Kauakahi, Ihilani Vea and Kuhiau Makua were more than 12 seconds faster than the Voyager team, stopping the clocks at 4:30.02 during the finals.
The Voyagers crossed in 4:42.60 in the middle lane. Kapa‘a varsity girls rounded out the finals on a 6:06.21 final run.
The junior varsity races saw Kapa‘a taking both the JV girls and JV mixed races with the Kaua‘i JV boys topping that race.
The KIF hosts the next regatta on Saturday when the first races hit the water at the Wailua River starting at 9 a.m.
The 2024 Hawaiian Airlines Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Canoe Paddling championships will be held at Hilo Bay on the Big Island on Feb. 10, where the KIF will be represented in the varsity boys, varsity girls and varsity mixed divisions.
Results
Junior Varsity Girls
• Heat 1: Kanuikapono (5:32.97), Kaua‘i (5:09.48)
• Heat 2: Island (5:00.24), Kapa‘a (4:58.05)
• B Crews: Kaua‘i (5:27.26), Island unofficial (5:19.14), Kapa‘a unofficial (5:06.41)
Junior Varsity Boys
• Kapa‘a (4:53.87), Kaua‘i (Kaua‘i 4:32.29)
• B Crew: Kapa‘a (DQ 4:51.96), Kapa‘a unofficial (4:49.57)
Varsity Girls
• Heat 1: Waimea (4:29.73), Kapa‘a (4:55.68)
• Heat 2: Island (4:47.48), Kaua‘i (4:58.65)
• B Crews: Waimea (5:14.62), Kaua‘i (5:28.49)
Varsity Boys
• Heat 1: Kapa‘a (4:07.47), Kaua‘i (4:13.93)
• Heat 2: Waimea (4:13.69), Island (4:17.44)
• B Crews: Kapa‘a (4:28.27), Kaua‘i (4:43.16)
Junior Varsity Mixed
• Heat 1: Waimea (4:47.35), Kanuikapono unofficial (5:09.53), Kaua‘i (4:38.67)
• Heat 2: Island (4:52.13), Kapa‘a (4:38.00)
• B Crews: Kapa‘a (DQ 5:08.95), Kanuikapono unofficial (5:08.95), Kaua‘i (5:02.70)
Varsity Mixed
• Heat 1: Waimea (4:16.59), Island (4:20.28)
• Heat 2: Kaua‘i (4:40.50), Kapa‘a (4:23.89)
• B Crews: Kapa‘a (4:47.62), Kaua‘i (4:50.80)
