“Redemption, boys!” said Lanikai coach Karel Tresnak Sr. moments after the club’s senior men’s crew emerged victorious from the glassy Keehi Lagoon waters Sunday afternoon. “No waves necessary.”

The veteran waterman was referring to the Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta held on Independence Day, during which the Lanikai senior men’s crew suffered its lone defeat this season to rival Outrigger. While the Fourth of July race did not count toward the official point standings, Outrigger defeated Lanikai by a slim 1.47-second margin, and celebrated wildly after catching a sizable wave across the exhibition’s finish line.

Lanikai reclaimed bragging rights at the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s annual Lukela “John D.” Kaupiko Regatta hosted by 110-year-old Hui Nalu Canoe Club as the senior men blazed through the 1½-mile course in 10 minutes, 57.48 seconds — nearly 10 seconds ahead of Outrigger. The crew of Manny Kulukulualani, Nick Foti, Jack Roney, Igor Sobreira, Andreas Gaeta and Karel Tresnak Jr. approached the race with a “business as usual” mind-set, but Tresnak Sr.’s “redemption” quip elicited grins throughout the squad.

“The Macfarlane race is a lot of fun, and it often comes down to chance as to who wins, and Outrigger got it this year — good for them, it was a fun battle,” Gaeta said. “This (Keehi Lagoon) course is a lot more even, and it’s good that they push us because we’re both young, strong teams. It benefits us both in the long run.”

Defending OHCRA champion Lanikai amassed 207 points on a regatta-high 19 victories to take home the AAA division (31-45 crews) and overall titles at the Kaupiko Regatta. Hui Nalu (166 points), Outrigger (160 points) and Kailua (144 points) rounded out the large division.

Lanikai has won all five of OHCRA’s official regattas this summer, and will look to cement the undefeated campaign on Sunday at the organization’s championship event; seven of Lanikai’s crews will also aim to complete undefeated individual campaigns. Through the first 22 races Sunday, Lanikai established a comfortable 107-85-73 lead over Outrigger and Kailua, thanks in part to nine early victories and did not relinquish the advantage.

“Our big focus is the Molokai Hoe (the world championship Oct. 7), so we’re training for the distance season, but regattas are part of that process and, like every club out here, we want to win,” Gaeta said. “We really don’t rest prior to regattas and train for three hours on Saturday with some guys also going out Sunday morning before races. Regatta victories are nice milestones, but ultimately, we’re focused on the first Sunday in October.”

Keahiakahoe (75 points) claimed the AA division (16-30 crews), which also included Healani (48 points).

Hui Lanakila (42 points) bested Waimanalo (26 points) to earn the A division (1-15 crews entered) hardware, while Leeward Kai (21 points) was also in the mix 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 dressed to impress and drove a nice car.

“It’s very special for us to win this race, especially for our club,” said Glen Fujihara, who was part of Hui Nalu’s victorious men’s senior masters 65 crew that claimed gold over Outrigger by a razor-thin nine-tenths of a second. “All the crews we race against are friends of ours, so (the upcoming championships) should be interesting.”

Over the past decade, the Kaupiko Regatta had been held on the windward side at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, but was moved to Keehi Lagoon this year due to the ongoing Rim of the Pacific Exercise — the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, which involves the base. Sunday’s low tide coupled with light variable winds made for an extremely flat race course; usually the inside lanes run smoother and provide an advantage as they are sheltered from tradewinds by a jetty.

Nearly 3,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 70-and-above represented OHCRA’s 17 member clubs in 45 races. Winning crews earned seven 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 attempted to secure cumulative points in hopes of qualifying for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta Aug. 4 at Keehi Lagoon. The top four crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state competition based on points collected over six regular-season regattas, and paddlers have one more opportunity to jockey for positioning.

Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a will hold its championship regatta on Saturday, also at Keehi Lagoon.