Pacific Paddler — June 2015 - (Page 6)

KA LA KU KE A CH AL LE NG E April 25, 2015 The Hui Nalu Kala Kukea Challenge lived up to the word "Challenge" in many ways. First off, the "To Be Determined" course was a challenge. Son of Kala Kukea, Nalu had the task of determining and setting the course at the bay. Winds appeared to be light and soft coming from the SW 3-5 at 7 am. Mark Sandvold pulled up the radar of weather on his phone, and it showed that a front was likely to pass over and we would be blessed with a safe and fun course. The keiki race went off without a hitch in front of the Portlock beach. Twenty-five+ crews safely navigated the 1.3 mile course. Nalu then proceeded to set the "short" course. Once set, the SW winds ramped up by the minute, leaving the 24 crews to "challenge" their mental & physical skills in battling the onshore surf which now consumed the entire Maunalua Bay. It was this short course that proved to be the biggest challenge with several boats "huli-ing" and swamping once they turned on the outside buoy. This turn buoy was inside of Portlock Pt, but in line with the surf breaks. Anyone who frequents the bay during strong SW winds knows the behavior of the surf is mushy and folds into the hull It's all over and unpredictable... The course then headed into the Hawaii Kai marina which provided crews the opportunity to challenge their flat water paddling technique, and make up for lost time....The long course outside turn was moved to be in line with the blinker buoy and still remained a challenge. The challenge for the long course racers was to navigate the surf in the bay 2x. All in all, paddlers at all levels were probably out of their comfort zone at some point in time. Bailing was the biggest challenge of the day. If you didn't know how to bail, but were assigned that duty, you had enough reps to be considered an expert bailer....Every crew needs one. The two safety boat crews, including none other then Publisher Ropati, got a lot of practice communicating and guiding crews in how to "unswamp" a canoe, how to huli a canoe back over to eliminate water below the gunwales so bailing could be done, and how to tie half hitches to get towed. All racers received a Kala Kukea hat, Acai Bowls from Jamba Juice for the keiki and wraps from Kona Brewary for the adults...... Thanks to all who endured the challenge. DENISE DARVAL-CHANG 6 PACIFIC PADDLER JUNE 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler — June 2015

Kala Kukea Challenge
Scott Hawaii State 'Champs'
OluKai Ho'olaule'a
After the Kala'iomalulani Race
Kalei Hahookele
Kauai World Challenge
Ka Iwi Coast Run & Walk
Allstate Oahu Championship
Just got to paddle - Billy Loa
Wounded Warrior Regatta
Basic Stretches for Paddlers

Pacific Paddler — June 2015