Pacific Paddler April 2015 - (Page 32)

After his Race, PAA event organizer Manny Kulukulualani checks out the times with PAA officials Dave Stoesser and Keala Keli'i manny talks story We caught up with race director Manny Kulukulualani at the finish of Stage 3 of the Koa Nui series. We asked him how he came up with the idea for the two days of races. "When I went to Tahiti in 2006, I saw they raced V1's in a three-stage race called Super Ito. The format was sprint time trials in the morning and then a longer race in the afternoon. The next day, they raced a longer distance race." PAA (Paddlers Athletic Association)adapted the format with the sprint races held in the Hawaii Kai Marina in the morning and then a distance race from Makapuu to Hawaii Kai. The next day contenders raced a long one from Makapuu to Magic Island, nearly 20 miles. The paddler with the lowest cumulative score wins. Travis Grant took the honors amongst men and Lindsey Shank the women. PAA also hosts the Kaiwi Solo, which is an OC1 race from Molokai to Oahu on June 13th. "I'm interested to see the Tahitians come 32 Pacific Paddler aPril 2015 over for the 'solo' this year. They already claimed OC1 dominance. I'm hoping they'll be back and that there will be wind and surfing too, because that's been the stigma. But as more Tahitians race here, I think that thinking will go away." This year's weather hasn't been as predictable as in previous years. Some of PAA's races had to be officially cancelled due to the weather. "This year we've had a tough time with our races because of the conditions. The last one we held here at Magic Island we had to cancel - Victory at Sea kind-of deal. The one in Kailua (which was a fishing and paddler weight divisions themed race) was way out of control - so this one today is manageable," he said with a smile. PAA also hosts the Molokai World Championship Kaiwi Channel Relay on April 25th, a "Thanksgiving Food Drive" race in November, and a "Toys for Tots Race" in December. For more details, or to register to race go to their web site, WWW.PAA.COM. http://WWW.PAA.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler April 2015

Kanaka ikaika maui Jim waterman's series
Waikiki Surf Club juniors
Sean Monahan on technique
fishing from an oC1
Koa Nui
Manny Kulukulualani talks story
HSCA 2015 schedule
Outrigger canoe making waves in the desert
Small boats getting big
Stretches for paddling
Hawaii Island
Composite paddle blades
Mahalo Kai Opua

Pacific Paddler April 2015