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Even a mid-afternoon rain shower could not put a damper on another exemplary performance by unbeaten Manu O Ke Kai in rival waters.
The club from Haleiwa stormed the competition and collected its sixth victory in as many tries this summer at Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a’s Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta at Maili Beach on Saturday.
Manu O Ke Kai, the defending Hui Wa‘a AAA Division (25-42 events) champion, continued its undefeated run by compiling 113 points and 14 race victories, and finishing ahead of host Ka Mo‘i (79 points) — winners of six of the past eight Hui Wa‘a championships.
Manu O Ke Kai has won all six Hui Wa‘a regattas in the summer season, and has been victorious by an average of 47.2 points each week.
The orange-and-white-clad men’s 55 squad from Manu O Ke Kai was one of a slew of the club’s crews that continued unbeaten seasons, navigating the ½-mile course in 4 minutes and 11.76 seconds to beat runner-up Waikiki Yacht Club by nearly eight seconds. The winning crew was Derek Lee Loy, Mika Amantiad, John Hoogsteden, Thomas Schlotman, Ed Kama and Darryl Ah Mau.
“It felt great out there today. We made a good turn and the conditions were really nice,” said Lee Loy as he pointed out the nearby bodyboarders being launched playfully in the head-high shore break. “Our club is doing really well, and it’s nice to get a win here in Ka Mo‘i’s home waters because they’re tough. They’re always great hosts and it’s nice to enjoy this country atmosphere — it’s a lot like Haleiwa.”
For Manu O Ke Kai’s men’s 55 crew, and others who have wrapped up state berths, canoe paddling’s equivalent of “scoreboard watching” is now necessary as Hui Wa‘a squads keep up with times posted by teams in the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association and across the state. For instance, defending OHCRA champion Lanikai’s men’s 55 crew posted a mark of 3:59.85 in similar conditions and course orientation in Nanakuli on June 17.
“Lanikai’s times are really solid,” Lee Loy said of the projected favorite in the men’s 55 ranks entering the state championships, “so we have a lot to work on. We’re going to continue to train as we usually do; working out individually and practicing as a group once a week.”
Through 31 events, Manu O Ke Kai established a 72-61 advantage over Ka Mo‘i after the two large clubs combined to win 15 races in that span. The victors then secured the win by claiming gold in eight of the regatta’s final 13 races.
Ka Mamalahoe claimed the AA Division (13-24 events) with 34 points and held off ‘Alapa Hoe (26 points) and Kaneohe (18 points).
The Waikiki Beach Boys took home the A Division (1-12 events) title with 33 points and beat neighboring Waikiki Yacht Club (25 points) and Lahui O Ko‘olau (22 points).
Paddlers raced in relatively flat ocean conditions and braved the heat on the beach as more than 1,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 member clubs in 42 races spanning a quarter mile to 1½ miles. Winning crews earned five points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points.
Unlike races held at Keehi Lagoon, where paddlers race parallel to the shore, Saturday’s event was set up perpendicular to the sand as crews started just off the beach, raced straight out to the ¼-mile flags and turned back to finish at the original starting line. The course allowed crews the opportunity to use occasional ocean swells and varying currents to their advantage – a change of pace from races in the stagnant lagoon waters.
In addition to vying for championship medals in individual races, crews tallied points toward qualifying for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta on Aug. 4 at Keehi Lagoon. The top two 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 paddlers return to action on Saturday at Waikiki Beach for the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta, an exhibition contest preceding the organization’s championship regatta slated for July 21 at Keehi Lagoon. OHCRA crews continue their season on July 15 at Keehi Lagoon with the John D. Kaupiko Regatta.
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