Like father, like son.

Thanks in part to the energizing steering performances turned in by Mike Lum and son Ke‘ea, Lanikai won six of the final 11 races to claim the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s annual Lukela “John D.” Kaupiko Regatta hosted by 109-year-old Hui Nalu Canoe Club in the calm waters of Kaneohe Bay adjacent to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Needing a come-from-behind effort, Mike Lum steered Lanikai’s mixed masters 40 crew that also included Janice Smith, Michelle Campillo-Peters, Skozilla Pecora, Chris Tomlinson and Keanu Kuna to victory via a 22-second margin over rival Kailua.

In the ensuing race – the day’s final event – Ke‘ea Lum helped Lanikai’s mixed open crew with Morgan Tomlinson, Maya Peterson, Jordan Gomes, Judy Drake and Noah Foti clinch the overall victory with a two-plus second triumph over Waimanalo and Leeward Kai in the ½-mile sprint.

“It was a total team effort, and it was nice to capture that momentum back-to-back with my son and our club,” said Mike Lum. “We’ve been trying to assemble strong crews as we solidify our rankings. Everyone fed off the positive energy.

“It’s funny because people (watch us and notice that) we paddle the same way. We have the same motions, gyrations and energy out there. Whether it’s the body language we use, or the way we put every ounce of muscle, guts and energy into what we do, you can see the crews react. Then, we can hang on for the ride.”

Lanikai amassed 185 points on a regatta-high 16 victories and bested three-time defending OHCRA champion Hui Nalu (177 points) to take home the AAA division (31-45 crews entered) and overall titles. Kailua (151 points) and Outrigger (129 points) rounded out the large division.

“I was taking notes,” said the younger Lum through a grin when asked if there was any additional pressure following his father’s performance. “This was a big race for us as we continue to qualify for states. It felt good, but we need to stay focused and keep this positive momentum going.”

Keahiakahoe (64 points) claimed the AA division (16-30 crews entered), which also included Hui Lanakila (59 points) and Healani (53 points).

Leeward Kai (31 points) bested Waikiki Surf Club (26 points) to earn the A division (1-15 crews entered) hardware, while Waimanalo (24 points) was in the running for the small division title.

The annual regatta is named after Kaupiko, an experienced waterman who coached Hui Nalu beginning in the 1930s. Kaupiko earned the nickname of John D. from Waikiki Beach Boys comparing him to John D. Rockefeller; in accounts provided by the club, Kaupiko was always well dressed and drove a nice car.

The Kaupiko Regatta returned to the Windward side after last year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, was held at and near the base. 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. The waters of Kaneohe Bay are protected by Mokapu peninsula, and allow for uniform calm conditions across all lanes of the race course, which is regarded by many paddlers as one of the fairest in the state; Keehi Lagoon tends to favor crews in the inside lanes, which are protected by a jetty from oncoming winds.

Nearly 3,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 70-and-above represented OHCRA’s 18 member clubs in 45 races. Winning crews earned 7 points toward the team standings, while second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers were awarded 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively.

Crews continued to earn cumulative points to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 5 at Hanakao‘o Beach Park on Maui. The top five crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state competition based on points collected over six regular-season regattas.

OHCRA returns to action on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon for its championship regatta. Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a also wraps up its season on Saturday with its championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon.

Paddlers brave winds at Gorge Race

A handful of local paddlers spent the weekend in the Pacific Northwest participating in one of the sport’s growing tests of strength and endurance: The Gorge Outrigger Canoe Race.

The 21st annual competition wrapped up Saturday afternoon and featured 91 total men’s (11-mile course) and women’s (12-mile course) crews competing in the Gorge on the Columbia River, which runs along Washington’s southern border and Oregon’s northern edge.

Teams from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia, braved winds in excess of 25 mph and dodged debris and rocks in the river as well as wind- and kite-surfers and barges that were also using the busy waterway.

Today through Saturday, individuals using stand-up paddleboards, surfski kayaks and one-person canoes will navigate Oregon’s Hood River (an offshoot of the Columbia) for the Gorge Downwind Championships.