Hawaiian Canoe Club claims state paddling title

More photos: HCRA State Canoe Paddling Championships

HANALEI, KAUAI » After being disqualified for running over the flag in its season-opening race, the girls 18 crew from Hawaiian Canoe Club vowed to learn from the mistake.

The crew’s steerswoman, Kaulu Lu‘uwai, took responsibility for the gaffe and put an emphasis on her leadership role of setting the example for fellow crewmembers and the remainder of the Maui club’s youth program. Lu‘uwai and crewmates Hi‘ilei Casco, Kahili Novikoff, Tianna Yonemura, Kamaile Lee and Mikaela McDaniel erased any stigma associated with the early-season error by claiming the half-mile state championship race Saturday in the tranquil waters of Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s north shore.

The girls 18 squad dominated the competition, crossing the line in 4 minutes, 10.64 seconds and finishing 11 seconds ahead of runner-up Kamehameha (Oahu).

"After we got back to the beach (following the disqualification to start the summer racing season) we realized it was better (to happen) in the first race instead of the last race," said Lu‘uwai, a member of Hawaiian’s girls 18 squad since she was 14 years old. "We made it a point to train hard and make sure that never happened again."

The runaway victory marked the seventh of Hawaiian’s nine race wins on the day and served as a metaphor for the dynastic club’s dominance as it reclaimed bragging rights as the state’s top team at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta. Hawaiian has won 10 of the past 13 state championships, and the reigning Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association champion continued its impressive run of seven consecutive state titles at regattas held on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

"This was really crucial because our club is depending on our kids’ division to lead us to a good start from the get-go," Lu‘uwai said after emerging from the victory tunnel created by fellow clubmates. "Just to win this one, especially being on Kauai, means a lot. It’s so fulfilling to cross that finish line first."

Hawaiian dominated the AAAA division (21-40 crews entered) with 351 points, and won eight of the day’s first 21 events to build an eventual 249-187-185 advantage over Hui Nalu and Kailua with 17 races remaining. While Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion Hui Nalu (327 points) made a valiant comeback attempt on the heels of multiple wins from veteran paddlers, Hawaiian would not let its lead slip below 20 points and won the open six race to clinch the crown.

A bright spot for defending state co-champion Kailua (323 points), which ended up with five victories Saturday, came early in the regatta, as its boys 14 crew capped a second consecutive perfect season by dominating its quarter-mile race in 1:45.82 — nearly four seconds ahead of Hawaiian.

After a summer full of long practices, some of which included pulling tires — paddling with car tires on the front of a canoe to increase drag and build paddlers’ strength and endurance — the crew of Elias Farag, Luke Ott, Tristan Clapp, Kai Kirkpatrick, Spencer VanDerKamp and Matthew McGivern cashed in with another round of gold medals. The same squad went undefeated last year as 13-year-olds and plans on going for the trifecta next year when it moves up to the boys 15 division.

"This is great. It was a lot of fun, and since we’re all good friends, that’s how we do so well," said VanDerKamp, the steersman. "We’ve been training hard all year. It really helped that we’re all friends and hang out together outside of practice."

Nearly 3,500 paddlers competed in 41 events ranging in length from a quarter-mile to 1.5 miles. Competitors were treated to smooth water and light winds that made for an even racing surface across the 14-lane course.

Oahu clubs have traditionally fared better in the home waters of Keehi Lagoon in contrast to neighbor-island venues. In the 2009 and 2011 state championship regattas held at Hilo Bay and Hanakaoo Beach in Lahaina, Hawaiian tallied runaway victories with winning margins of 60 and 59 points. However, in the 2008, 2010 and 2012 editions of the state regatta, all of which were held at Keehi, Lanikai won the first two by a combined four points and shared the title with Kailua last year.

The AAA division (13-20 crews entered) came down to the wire, with OHCRA member Keahiakahoe emerging victorious via a 169-162 margin over Keaukaha (Big Island). Kihei (153 points) and Waikiki Beach Boys (150 points) could not come up with the points down the stretch to tip the standings.

Waikiki won five races overall, including victories in the women’s sophomore and senior races to cap undefeated seasons in those events. The "Beach Girls" also won the freshman and junior events to complete a rare sweep of the marquee open women’s races.

Namolokama (Kauai) ran away with AA division (7-12 crews entered), notching 130 points.

Kawaihae Canoe Club (Big Island) missed out on repeating as A division (1-6 crews entered) champions by one point, falling 51-50 to Napili (Maui).