Maui Canoe & Kayak Club
Hurricane/Eyecatcher 2002 Race Series
RACE #6
By
Sharon Balidoy
Seems like we are always
watching the weather patterns closely for this race.
This year the concern was for kona winds and lack of surf.
Then came the prediction of high surf.
At least the winds were from the north and not south and the ocean
waves/swell were ok. It was
rising with every hour and the conditions for the back of the pack were
very different as compared to the surf conditions for the front pack. Unfortunately 2 participants had to withdraw due to broken
cables. I’m not sure what
is worse, Peter Konohia breaking down at the start of the race or Rick
Nu`u having to pull out just by the harbor mouth, the finish of the race.
Visiting Big Isle paddler Bev Tuaolo also had to finish on the
zodiac, canoe in tow, as she didn’t quite make it over a big set at pier
one. Mahalo to Dane Ward and
Johnny Mack for stopping to help Bev and also to Mike Morris for the heads
up. Glad that they were all
O.K. and at the finish line to share in the “Stitch This” give aways.
Mahalo to Tim for donating all the wonderful prizes especially that
awesome canoe cover.
The
field was so spread out, the outside course people had a good line as they
were able to ride the swell into Kahului and didn’t have to worry about
the sets. The inside
people were able to ride the inside bumps while occasionally and quickly
having to veer out to sea to get over the sets that would jack up in front
of them. Oh lots of
excitement.
For
the inside scoops:
Johnny
Mack was able to find and secure, on his rudder unbeknownst to him, the
smallest piece of cargo net in the whole Pacific Ocean.
He was wondering why people started flying past him.
Svar Hartmen was thankful to get out on the water as his partner
and canoe still had not arrived when 90% of the participants were already
heading out to sea.
Margie
and Theresa were full of smiles - they had secured an OC-2 for the race.
Vicky
G. and Cassie Pali pushed hard to the finish line, separated by 1 second
if that. Vicky came in first
for 3rd place 30-39.
I
think this was a record entry of participants with 92 people for 82
vessels. It is always good to
have neighbor island competitors. Scott
and Cheriss, Afa and Bev from Hawaii, Kai from Oahu and Jackie from Kaua`i.
Mark Huetter from California is still here and he won overall.
As
always MAHALO to our sponsors and to Greg Heneghan for
cooking the ono stew and perfect rice.
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