In recent years, it was a foregone conclusion that the seasoned Waikiki Beach Boys “Beach Girls” would cruise to victory in the marquee senior women’s race — a 11⁄2-mile test of strength and endurance.
So dominant was Waikiki in this particular race that the Beach Boys’ state championship victory in 2016 marked the club’s eighth consecutive senior women’s title. The Beach Boys entered the season having won six consecutive medium division championships, but are racing in the small-club division this season after seeing a decrease in membership and undergoing a program overhaul.
As is the case with the cyclical nature of outrigger canoe paddling, the women of Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i and Manu O Ke Kai have stepped up to take control in that particular race. Manu O Ke Kai won its first senior women’s race of the season as part of Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a’s Lokahi Regatta held Saturday at Keehi Lagoon; the victory comes on the heels of four straight wins by Ka Mo‘i in the senior event.
“This is really special; I’m so happy we were able to pull it off,” said steerswoman Varina Amantiad after helping Manu O Ke Kai’s winning crew claim gold. “I just told my team, ‘There’s one thing I want you to focus on: timing.’ I was concentrating on making the turns, because those are critical, too. Everything blended together, and it worked out for us.”
Amantiad was joined in the winning canoe by Telynn Pascual, Catharine Griffin, Kilia Chillingworth, Kelly Godwin and Shaz Sinclair. The squad maintained a slim lead over their counterparts from Ka Mo‘i through the first four quarter-mile segments and held on down the stretch to claim the win by an eight-second margin after crossing the line in 14 minutes and 18.94 seconds.
“Going downwind, I knew that they were catching up to us. But, heading upwind, we had a great stroke that helped us hold that lead,” Amantiad said. “(Waikiki’s rebuilding effort) has given us a chance to move up in this race. It’s a great win, and we need to keep coming to practice, staying positive and keeping that blend.”
Manu O Ke Kai’s aforementioned victory was one of a regatta-high 16 wins posted Saturday en route to notching its fifth triumph in as many tries this Hui Wa‘a season as the team from Haleiwa posted 108 points. Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i — winners of six of the last seven Hui Wa‘a championships — finished second overall and in the AAA Division (25-42 crews entered) with 86 points, while Kaneohe (28 points) and ‘Alapa Hoe (26 points) rounded out the large division.
“I’m telling you right now, next week’s going to be tough,” said Ka Mo‘i coach Lisa Ka‘aekuahiwi. “We’re not giving Manu (the race in our home waters) just because they’ve won and are doing awesome so far this year. I don’t want them to count us out, and I’m going to crack the whip on every single person in this club to help us get ready.”
I Mua took home the AA Division (13-24 crews entered) hardware with 35 points and bested Ka Mamalahoe (28 points), Lokahi (17 points) and Kamaha‘o (10 points).
The Waikiki Beach Boys won the A Division (6-12 crews entered) with 23 points, thanks in part to three wins on the day, and bested Kamehameha (19 points) and Lahui O Ko‘olauloa (17 points).
Paddlers enjoyed mostly clear skies and light breezes until a cool downpour made its way over the lagoon midway through the afternoon.
In addition to vying for championship medals in individual races, crews tallied points that will prove vital in qualifying for slots at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta slated for Aug. 5 at Hanakao‘o Beach Park on Maui. The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event are slated to earn automatic berths in the state competition based on cumulative point standings.
Hui Wa‘a returns to action on Saturday at Ma‘ili Beach for its Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta — the sixth event of the summer. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association continues its season with the annual Fourth of July race, the Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta, slated for Tuesday at Waikiki Beach.
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