In continuing the tradition of what used to be known as the “Water Carnival” in the 1940s, outrigger canoe paddlers perpetuated the passion — and fun — that was rekindled throughout the 75th running of the Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta Tuesday at Waikiki Beach.

Lanikai navigated the relatively calm waters efficiently and rode occasional swells to an overall victory at the Macfarlane Regatta for the seventh time in eight years. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s traditional Fourth of July event was held in the waters fronting the iconic Moana, Outrigger and Royal Hawaiian hotels as an estimated 15,000 participants and spectators looked on from the beach and surrounding hotel balconies.

The event serves as the longest continually run outrigger canoe paddling event in the world since first being held in 1943, and according to Outrigger Canoe Club records, it was the 107th Fourth of July regatta run in Waikiki. Host Outrigger and Lanikai have combined to win the last 24 Macfarlane Regattas, with Lanikai claiming 15 victories in that span.

“This race is always a gamble, and it comes down to what Mother Nature provides,” said Karel Tresnak Jr. after helping steer Lanikai to victory in the senior men’s race along with Igor Sobreira, Manny Kulukulualani, Nick Foti, Levi-Jordan Goeas and Jack Roney.

“It’s really special to be a part of this regatta, and what it means to Outrigger and all of us,” said Tresnak Jr., who raced with Outrigger in years past. “People always say that this regatta doesn’t count for points, but everybody wants to win it. You always want that chance to win the senior race and drink champagne after. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, you have to cherish it.”

The perpetual Walter Macfarlane Memorial Trophy and Senior Women’s Bowl were awarded to the victorious crews in the men’s (Lanikai) and women’s (Outrigger) 11⁄2-mile senior races. Both winning crews were presented with the trophies in a post-race ceremony fronting Duke’s, which now stands in the area formerly occupied by the Outrigger Canoe Club’s original site. Following tradition, winning crew members took sips of champagne from the cups topping both trophies and shared the bubbly with counterparts from the runner-up crews.

“It’s a blast — you can have a quarter-mile lead and it can be gone in a heartbeat,” said Amy Woodward, the stroker in Outrigger’s winning senior women’s canoe. “It complicates things because you never feel comfortable in the lead knowing that the advantage can be ripped out of your teeth. To be a blip in the history of this prestigious race is both intense and wonderful at the same time.”

Outrigger’s crew of Jennifer Fratzke, Shannon O’Neill, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Traci Phillips, Billy Lawson and Woodward completed the senior race in 12 minutes and 14.95 seconds — nearly 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Lanikai (12:26.83).

“It’s very special, and I’ve been in about a million of them,” said Phillips, an Outrigger veteran who mentioned after the race that it was her final time competing with the senior women’s crew at the Macfarlane Regatta, and that it was time for the “next generation” to continue its progress. “It’s the 75th anniversary of this race, and it’s great to be here in Hawaii paddling on the Fourth of July.”

Lanikai claimed the AAA Division (31-45 crews entered) with 187 points via 12 race wins and fended off Outrigger (171 points), while three-time defending OHCRA champion Hui Nalu (143 points) and Kailua (113 points) rounded out the large division.

Keahiakahoe (73 points) held off Healani (62 points) to claim the AA Division (14-26 crews entered), while Leeward Kai took the A Division (1-13 crews entered) with 50 points over Waikiki Surf Club (39 points).

The Macfarlane Regatta had no bearing on OHCRA’s cumulative point standings that determine state championship berths. However, it remains a favorite for paddlers as the course is set up perpendicular to the shore, allowing crews to catch ocean bumps as they race toward the finish line. Races were often won and lost based on catching the right wave at the right time and many crews used the open steering exemption, which allows experienced steersmen to paddle in as many races as necessary to help keep paddlers and canoes safe.

The surf on Tuesday was relatively calm as teams attempted to navigate the surf and finish races while avoiding the dreaded huli — the flipping of a canoe.

Said Lawson, the Outrigger senior women’s open steersman and brother of Woodward: “Today’s surf was definitely on the smaller side, but there were plenty of waves out there to keep things fun. It was great to steer the canoe with my sister up front.”

One of the day’s exhibition events featured members of the armed forces competing in the Macfarlane Invitational Military Race for bragging rights and the opportunity to hoist the perpetual USS Arizona Award. Various clubs sponsored military crews that in turn used that club’s canoe and an experienced steersperson. The quarter-mile sprint featured eight canoes and the squad from the U.S. Pacific Command paddling in Healani Canoe Club’s vessel netted the gold.

OHCRA clubs return to action July 16 at Kaneohe Bay on Marine Corps Base Hawaii for the annual John D. Kaupiko Regatta. The Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a organization will hold its Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta on Saturday at Ma‘ili Beach.