The Lanikai Canoe Club achieved two rare feats as it claimed its sixth consecutive Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association regatta victory of the season Sunday at the John D. Kaupiko Regatta in the calm waters of Kaneohe Bay just off Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Not only did the club become the first in recent memory to complete two regattas in one day, but it also won the first OHCRA regatta held at the Marine base site since the organization last raced here in 1993. In an unusual twist, Sunday’s regatta was preceded by five races that served as a continuation of the Waimanalo Regatta — an event, also claimed by Lanikai, that was suspended on June 24 due to rough ocean conditions.

Lanikai’s victory netted the club its sixth AAA Division (27-39 crews entered) title of the season as it notched 93 points, while Hui Nalu (82 points), Kailua (80 points) and Outrigger (62 points) rounded out the large division. Through 35 of the regatta’s 42 events, Hui Nalu held a 74-67 lead over Lanikai. However, Lanikai surged back to tie Hui Nalu at 79 points apiece through 38 races, and used points gained from winning four of the day’s final six races to secure the victory.

"Each week is a chess game, and the key is to protect the king, save the queen and sacrifice the pawns," said Lanikai’s first-year head coach Scott Freitas. "That’s how we’ve been doing it, while also focusing on qualifying crews for the state championships. We had to move people around, and that’s where the chess game really intensifies. Hui Nalu came out with a bang, and we were running scared in the beginning, but thank God we had enough juice at the end of the race."

In addition to battling for gold in individual races, crews continued pushing toward qualification for the state championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 4 at Keehi Lagoon. The top four crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.

The race provided a change of scenery for the regatta that is normally held at Keehi Lagoon. Paddlers raced along a course running parallel to both a pier used by the Marines for loading jet fuel and a major runway used by military aircraft.

"This is a fantastic venue, and it’s as fair a course as you’re going to get," Freitas said. "For the spectators and the clubs, it keeps everyone close together — plus, it’s another race close to (Lanikai’s home waters of) Kailua."

Nearly 3,000 paddlers ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented OHCRA’s 16 member clubs in races spanning a quarter-mile to 11⁄2 miles.

Hui Lanakila claimed the Lanakila Spencer Perpetual Trophy by winning the senior women’s race in 12 minutes, 36.52 seconds. The crew held off host club Hui Nalu (12:40.08) despite being challenged at each of the race’s three turns.

"It was a close race the whole way," said Hui Lanakila’s victorious steerswoman Lori Nakamura. "They had us until the first turn, and we had to keep coming back. All the girls in that crew are really strong."

The winning crew also included Ally Sokei, Arlene Holzman, Kristi Lowry, Whitney Martinez and Violet Carrillo.

For Nakamura, Sunday’s regatta brought back memories of her days as a young paddler, and the change of scenery provided a welcome set of new challenges.

"The last time I remember paddling here was when I was 7 years old, so for me it was cool being back," she said. "It was a little difficult heading back toward the beach; it was hard to find the (finish line) flags. And, the wind direction made things hard. Coming back, we had to buckle down."

Hui Lanakila captured the AA Division (14-26 crews entered) crown with 33 points, and Waimanalo, which got a key victory in the mixed masters 55 race, claimed the A Division (1-13 crews entered) trophy with 10 points.

The Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a returns to Keehi Lagoon on Saturday for the organization’s championship regatta, while OHCRA holds its championships at Keehi on Sunday. Both races get under way at 8 a.m.

"Everybody is getting stronger as the year goes on, so we need to continue practicing hard," Nakamura said of Sunday’s championship race that will solidify OHCRA’s crew placement at the state championship regatta. "We’ve got to keep hammering every week."

Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i wins

Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i won the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta in Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a action at Waikiki Beach on Sunday.

The club claimed seven events to accrue 90 points in the AAA division, edging Kanoehe (84 points).

Manu O Ke Kai took the AA division with 38 points over the 31 of Waikiki Beach Boys.

Lokahi won the A division with 30 points.

Na Keiki O Ka Moi claimed the men’s senior race in 11:33.46.

Waikiki Beach Boys won the women’s senior race in 12:13.34.