If Sunday’s results provide any indication of how the upcoming Na Wahine O Ke Kai will shake out, the Waikiki Beach Boys women’s crew showed that it is indeed poised to vie for the club’s third Molokai-to-Oahu championship since 2011.
The “Beach Girls” defended their E Lau Hoe race title with a winning mark of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 11.24 seconds. In what served as the penultimate race of the distance season, 36 all-female crews from across the state completed the 32-mile trek that started at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai and finished in the waters fronting Nanakuli Beach Park. The women now have a week off to prepare for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai — the 41-mile Molokai-to-Oahu championship race slated for Sept. 27.
“This race set us up for another opportunity to work through various issues, and some of us have raced four weeks in a row, so it gives us a good indication of where we stand amongst local competition,” said veteran Waikiki paddler Dana Gorecki. The Beach Boys crew also included Chelsea Bizik, Rachel Bruntsch, Eko Lapp, Alexia Lopez, Jennifer Polcer, Jessica Kaawa, Lindsey Shank, Alanna Bender and Lauren McDowell.
Second-place winner
Team Bradley, who crossed the line second in 4:24:51.86, has won eight of the last 10 Na Wahine O Ke Kai titles; however, Waikiki’s winning the E Lau Hoe could prove fortuitous. When the Beach Boys won the race three years ago and again last season, they went on to claim the prestigious Molokai title, interrupting Bradley’s dynastic run.
“We couldn’t see (Bradley), and all of a sudden, they were right there next to us and didn’t leave our side basically the rest of the way,” Bender said. “It was definitely a race the whole way. It’s good to know how hard we can push, and going into the Molokai race we’ll be rested so hopefully we can push harder.”
Outrigger (4:32:24.51) claimed third place, while Hui Nalu (4:35:20.61) and Healani (4:43:27.37) rounded out the top five.
Team Bradley’s crew included Lauren Spalding, Claire Townsend, Noelani Sawyer-Auger, Andrea Moller, Nicole Pedersen, Dane Ward, Alana Goo, Lori Nakamura, Cherisse Agorastis and Kaulu Lu‘uwai. Because the crew members hail from various islands, paddlers train for the most part on one-man canoes and translate their skills to the six-person canoe during rare group practice runs and races.
Paddlers enjoyed calm ocean conditions and small swells throughout the course. Multiple rain showers also greeted paddlers as they made the trek west, although the skies cleared before paddlers reached Barbers Point, and took the turn past Kahe Point near the race’s home stretch.
“It was interesting not being able to see Diamond Head (at the start), and there was some great surf, but a tough start,” Bender said.
Continuing wins
The Beach Boys entered the race fresh off a victory at the Queen Liliuokalani Race held in the waters along the Big Island’s Kona coast. Waikiki led the field of 123 female crews, and navigated the 18-mile course in 2:03:52.
Waikiki also won the Dad Center Race on Aug. 24 and completed the 25-mile course spanning from Kailua Beach, around Makapuu and Diamond Head and finishing in the waters fronting Kaimana Beach in 3:12:38.76 and fended off Team Bradley by nearly two minutes.
“We’ll keep training, but back off on the strength work,” Bender said. “Working on our blend and sticking together as a crew are important. And, loving each other is the most important thing.”
The distance season consists of four races on Oahu — two men’s and two women’s events — sandwiched between the Queen Liliuokalani event. The season culminates with the Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe: the women’s and men’s versions of the 41-mile Molokai-to-Oahu race often regarded as the sport’s world championship. In distance races, crews are accompanied by motored escort boats and are allowed to substitute paddlers along the way to provide them with breaks.
“It was a good day for us to see where we’re at. Now we’ll focus on tightening up some little things and get our bodies and minds in the best shape possible,” Gorecki said.
In the final event of the season leading into the Molokai races, the men will compete in the Henry Ayau Memorial Race on Sunday, which follows the same course as the E Lau Hoe. Team Mellow Johnny’s of the Big Island and Team Primo of Maui are favorites to take home the hardware if they participate, but crews from Kailua, Lanikai, Hui Lanakila, Hui Nalu and Outrigger also have showed promise.
E LAU HOE RESULTS
Koa Division
1. Hui Lanakila (Judy Decorte, Pua Jumawid, Ilima Kim, Courtney Klier, Regan Lohr, Jill Masunaga, Hoku Mertyris, Marjorie Miramontes, Tammy Morck, Summer Maunakea) 4.55.29.84
2. Lanikai Hokulele 5.05.25.73
3. Outrigger 5.13.58.46
Juniors
1. Lanikai (Ophelia Brouard, Elizabeth Gardner, Maia Graham, Nathlie Frank, Mikaela Foehr, Madison Francis Courtney Huddleston, Cassandra Ingram, Amelia Miller, Savannah Shumock, Daena Smith, Alia Wallenstrom) 5.08.45.15
2. Keahiakahoe 5.15.31.35
3. Healani Yungins 5.47.21.19
Master Women 40
1. Kailua Canoe Club (Christy Borton, Katherine Dennis, Brenen Guyol, Worreen Hamocon, Karen Kieter, SaraJane Larkin, Ginger Lockette, Susan Maher, Nicole Radford, Laurie Rubie) 4.46.04.73
2. Lanikai Mahoahoa 5.42.44.56
3. Ka Mamalahoe 5.50.29.55
Master Women 50
1. Kailua (Carleen Ornellas, Catherine Bender, Deborah Clark, Heidi Hansen-Smith, Jamie Grimm, Jennifer Fisher, Cynthia Cobb-Adams, Katherine Otsuji, Lois Hewlett, Torrey Goodman, Sandra Scafe-Kalama, Katherine Erwin) 4.50.13.65
2. Outrigger Master 5.06.31.23
Unlimited
1. Hui Nalu – Kepoinalu (Kehau Lau, Alena Yocum, Marie Allen, Desiree Piercy, Kerri Robitalli, Catherine Fuller, Anne Rosa Marissa Mondoza Kalina Calatoc, Kamaile Turcan) 4.50.55.27
Open Women’s
1. Beach Boys (Alanna Bender, Chelsea Bizik, Rachel Bruntsch, Dana Gorecki, Jessica Kaawa, Eko Lapp, Natalie Lopez, Lauren McDowell, Jennifer Polcer, Lindsey Shank) 4.24.11.24
2. Hawaiian-Team Bradley 4.24.51.86
3. Outrigger Manuula 4.32.24.51
4. Hui Nalu 1 – Hokupaa 4.35.20.61
5. Healani 4.43.27.37
