Eyeing the top spot

Most paddlers will agree. There is no such thing as a bad day on the water.

And, even if it’s less than perfect conditions, it still beats being on land.

Every time.

It has long been that way for Pat Dolan, a water baby who has matured into an accomplished waterman. The 24-year-old can make it official — at least in the Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association standings — with a successful showing in the OC-1 discipline of KIRA’s Scott Hawaii State Championships on Saturday.

Dolan currently leads the association’s inaugural Maui Jim Waterman’s Series where competitors race in different paddling disciplines in four of the season’s eight events. He was won the prone paddleboard and surf ski divisions, and would need to finish at least two spots ahead of current No. 2 Kaeo Abbey to claim the men’s $250 prize money. (Rachel Bruntsch, winning her standup paddle and surfski races, has all but locked up the $150 Waterwoman award).

There’s also $100 for the first long-course paddler to reach the Makapu‘u "hotspot" and $100 to the first across the Magic Island finish line. It’s all part of the season’s $6,100 purse, the first in KIRA’s 35-year history.

"It’s not a lot of money but it’s a start," KIRA race director Jim Foti said. "It’s more than anything that’s happened before.

"The feedback has been really positive and we’re hoping to build on it as we continue to get more sponsors."

Dolan knows well the difficulties of attacking sponsors. He, younger brother Ryan and their family spent years fundraising to train with the U.S. national canoe-kayak team and travel to international competition in order to qualify for the Olympics.

"We were blessed with having so many people help us," said Dolan, who has retired from the USCKT. "But it was tough, asking for money every year.

"The (KIRA) money is nice, it shows that Jim (Foti) is really making a push to get this off the ground. Everyone says more money will grow the sport but what’s exciting is the idea of people putting money into the sport in order to make it bigger, that Jim and John (Foti) are putting back into the sport we all love."

Saturday’s forecast is calling for light winds and surf, not ideal for those who enjoy bigger wave action. But it should play to Dolan’s strength with his background in flatwater kayak racing.

"It does kick in, all the training and coaching I’ve received helps quite a bit if conditions are flatter," he said. "It’s all about maximum distance for the stroke and moving the boat.

"What I like about distance racing is it’s easier to relax for a longer race, you can be more open-minded and not have to be so focused for just a three-minute sprint. And the Waterman’s Series has allowed the freedom to do different things so it doesn’t get boring."

Dolan said he will use Saturday as preparation for the May 19 Molokai Surfski World Championship, a 30-mile race across the Ka Iwi Channel from Kepuhi Beach, Molokai, to Hawaii Kai Town Center marina. He has done more than 10 channel crossings in various crafts from surfski to OC-1 to OC-6.

"I love traveling to compete but there’s nothing like the Ka Iwi Channel," Dolan said. "I love getting into big water. Even if it’s not great conditions, it’s always something different.

"I’ve been on the water all these years and that’s been my work. But now that I’m moving on with my life and working (interning at a property development company), I now understand what people have been saying about the release of the day when getting on the water for exercise and to relax. It adds balance to your life.

"No matter what happens the rest of the day, you’re always happy to be on the water. Every day is different. There’s always something new and challenging."

NOTE: KIRA’s Poai Puni Series, where paddlers accumulate points based on a minimum of four races, is being used to help determine the crew for the Tahiti Nui Wa‘a. The May 23-25 event has a $30,000 purse, including $10,000 for first place.

REC CENTER

10 to fight at USA Boxing nationals

Former national champion Haley Pasion and last year’s silver medalist Lisa Ha are among the 10 boxers from Hawaii who are competing at USA Boxing National Championships next week in Spokane, Wash.

Pasion was the 2011 champion at 119 pounds and Ha lost in the gold-medal match last year at 106. Also competing in elite women is Corina Ishikawa (112).

Also representing Hawaii in youth men’s divisions are Jaybrio Pe Benito (114) and Jordan Panthen (165). Senior men’s entrants are Kalae McShane (114) and John Asi. Entered in elite men are Paul Leblanc (108), Danson Rellez (141) and Patrick Torres (152).

Competition runs from Monday through Saturday at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

Weston-Webb defends grom title

Kauai’s Tatiana Weston-Webb successfully defended her girls division title at the Rip Curl International GromSearch surf meet Thursday at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia.

She had the highest wave score (9.33) and combined total (17.26) of the event in becoming the first surfer in the series history to win back-to-back titles. Australia’s Isabella Nichols finished second with a 13.96.

8 boxers make Junior Olympic finals

Eight boxers from four islands will represent Hawaii at the National Junior Olympic Boxing Championships June 25-29 in Mobile, Ala.

The eight won their respective weight classes in the 15- and 16-year-old age groups at the Hawaii Junior Olympic State and Regional Boxing Championships earlier this month.

Advancing to the nationals are Kawelo Alcos, 100 pounds, Logan Yoon, 119, and Colt Dante, 132, all from Kawano Boxing Club. Also, Kristopher Alcos, 110, unattached; Dustin Somera, 125, Waianae B.C.; Sergio Mamone Jr., Hawaii International B.C.; Hunter Manaba, 145, Molokai Southside B.C.; and Kekoa Balasi, 154, Waipahu B.C.

Gracie to receive jiu-jitsu red belt

Relson Gracie, part of the renowned Gracie jiu-jitsu family, will receive his red belt — the highest ranking in this martial art — as part of next week’s events.

Rorion Gracie, the current Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Grandmaster, will do the promotion ceremony for his younger brother on April 6 at Kaiser High gym. The ceremony is at 1 p.m. followed by a seminar at 2 p.m.

Relson’s last seminar as an 8th degree red-black belt is at 7 p.m. April 5, at the University of Hawaii’s athletic complex Studio 4.

The cost is $50 for each of the hourlong seminars.

Also on April 6, Rorion Gracie will give hourlong seminars on the Gracie Diet at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. at the Big Kahuna restaurant, 2299 Kuhio Ave. Tickets are $50.

Ocean Expo coming up

The fifth Hawaii Ocean Expo, with activities, exhibitions and educational displays geared toward ocean lovers, will be held April 13 and 14 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

General admission is $7, with $3 for children ages 6-12, and no charge for 5 and under. The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 13 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14.

Among the events are a boat show, seafood demonstrations and poke contest. Also returning is the GT Master’s Cup shoreline fishing tournament. Information is available at gtmasterscup.com.

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