Maui Canoe & Kayak Club
Hurricane/Eyecatcher 2002 Race Series
RACE #2
By
Sharon Balidoy
There were some anxious people
on the beach; the wind line was in and playing havoc with the waves and
peoples minds. That first leg
would be a tough one but oh to surf back down makes that uphill climb
worth it. Something’s went a bit differently than past races:
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The short course started first.
Personally I enjoyed watching them race off towards Black Rock.
Of course this made the veterans antsy, as we had to watch them go
and then wait for them to clear the course.
WELL… someone or some people just couldn’t stand the anxiety
and before you know it the race had started with out a signal from the
water official. For those of us in the back patiently waiting it made for a
terrible start. SOOOOO –
paddlers beware. Our
President informed us at the awards meeting that we will begin adding time
to those insistent on getting a jump on everyone else.
How are we going to do this you may ask?
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Another new thing utilized this past race was the video camera.
Originally brought to the beach to monitor the finishes it will now
pull double duty and record the starts. Why not make it a fair race, up
& up? Just a thought.
As
for the stories within the race:
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Look out for sunken half-hidden buoys, Tom Kern hit one which adjusted his
rudder for the entire race.
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Look out for the surf at the Point by the Marriott. A record number of hulis in that area. Another spooky area to huli in was at Black Rock.
Steve Williams and Dane Ward did just that.
After which Steve was trying to dodge all the oncoming OC-1’s and
Dane was trying to get up and get going before being pushed into the
cliff. They managed to stay
safe and in the hunt as Steve finished 1st Novice Kayak & 5th
overall and Dane 2nd women OC-1 elite.
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The Canadian friends of Rick Nu`u & Zoe Norcross were able to borrow 2
OC-6 from Napili and participate in the race.
Of course no one expected the “rough” seas. Mahalo to Walter Vierra (who did turn early by Black Rock
& informed the water official that he did) and to Chris Facuri (who
was having a good race) for pulling out of the race and going to the aid
of the Canadian crew as they were trying to right and bailout their huli
canoe.
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I think the kayakers were a bit disappointed that Rick didn’t race and I
know Geordan was doubly disappointed as Geoff Bogar was victorious.
Gee this makes for good competition.
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Nabil won the Novice men OC-1 and first overall on the short course.
There seems to be some stories floating around regarding the first
race and who actually won that on the short course.
Hmm? Too bad no video for that one.
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Patrick Grady is loving the season and the camaraderie.
A veteran of six man paddling for the past 25 years or so he is a
Novice B in OC-1. There
really is a difference between the 2 seasons.
Of course you want to win and do well but there is greater mutual
respect and closeness amongst the OC-1, OC-2, Kayakers, &
paddleboarders.
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Big T was a bit apprehensive, as Derek V. had trained hard during the 2
weeks. When I passed them by
Sandbox, I was headed to the Canoehouse; Derek was ahead of T. When we watched the finish on video, BOY what a close, tight
finish, Big T just nosed him out for 2nd.
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Oh yes I can’t forget the look on everyone’s face when Arma Dillo
showed up with a 2 man Scupper. His
visiting friend thought it was going to be just a short little race –
yeah right. They did complete
the course as the “Goofy foot Surf Team.”
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There was the Presidential debate, actually no debate just team work
between Presidents Greg Heneghan (Napili) & Spud (Lahaina) as they
teamed-up on the OC-2.
How’s
those paddling jerseys? Pretty cool.
Mahalo to Mike Giblin, Hurricane & Neil Pryde. How about the
discounts offered by Eyecatcher and Neil Pryde, right-on, Mahalo!
The
food was ONO, Mahalo to Leilani’s on the Beach. The medals were huge, mahalo to Tri-Paddle Maui.
The beer was, hmm, what beer by the time we finished with the
results…there was no beer for us but the energy “piranha” drinks did
the job, Mahalo to Corona Light.
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