LIHU‘E —A number of Kaua‘i athletes participated in the 2009 Na Wahine O Ke Kai women’s canoe race on Sept. 27. The 41-mile race from Moloka’i to O‘ahu, which is considered the world championship of long distance outrigger canoe racing
LIHU‘E —A number of Kaua‘i athletes participated in the 2009 Na Wahine O Ke Kai women’s canoe race on Sept. 27. The 41-mile race from Moloka’i to O‘ahu, which is considered the world championship of long distance outrigger canoe racing for women, was won by Team Bradley, with a time of 5 hours, 25 minutes, 16 seconds. They narrowly topped the Waikiki Beach Boys I by 1 minute, 22 seconds.
Three of Kaua‘i’s women paddlers, Alana Goo-Frazier, Kristin Foster of Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club and Noelani Auger, were part of the Team Bradley championship squad.
In addition to Team Bradley’s first-place win, Kaiola Canoe Club had teams place 10th and 31st overall with the following Kaua‘i paddlers: Fran Acoba, Annie Allen, Kanoe Beard, Kathy Braach, Darcy Gray, Llikea Handley, Kristie Nagao, Tiffany Palama, Suzette Smith, Taryn Sokolow, Doneen Stokes and Val Wilson.
In addition were Ele Johnson, Kahea Zietz of Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club in the 10th overall canoe and Loretta Toth in the Master’s entry.
Other Kaua‘i women athletes included Team Hawaiian Kanaktion, which was second in the Masters 50 division even after almost being eliminated. The escort boat broke down and the crew had to paddle mid-channel for over an hour without guidance or relief. At the last minute, the escort boat was able to re-start. The crew included Laola Aea, Margie Goodno and Cindy Grover.
Kawaikini Canoe Club paddlers included Stephanie Zufelt and Debi Watson paddling in the Kukuiula entry. Other paddlers on the Kukuiula team were Melissa Burovac, Lauren Denton, Annette Fernandez-Ventura, Dana Miyake, Denise Morrison and Tenley Ueda. Two others, Fran McDonald paddled for Manu O Ke Kai and Hedy Downing paddled with Puakea Foundation.
Hanalei Canoe Club paddlers included Carrice (no last name provided), Brenda Rogers, Lou Rubio and Tess Wolfe, who all paddled in the Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club entry. Also in this canoe was Sherri Yokotake from Namolokama O’ Hanalei. Additionally, Kim Stewart, from Hanalei paddled for Niumalu Canoe Club.
The men will be paddling the same course in the world championship Molokai Hoe, scheduled for Sunday.
