2006 REGATTA RECAP
HCRA State Championships, Ke'ehi Lagoon, August 5, 2006
"Paddling Elite Showcased at States"
The start of the Junior Mens race at this weekends HCRA State Championships
The Hawaii Canoe Racing Association, (HCRA) concluded its 54th annual State Championships this past weekend at Ke'ehi Lagoon. Ka Mamalahoe qualified six crews to compete with over 3,000 paddlers from 62 clubs around the state. The crews of the Boys 15, Novice B Women, Novice B Men, Junior Men, Senior Master Men and Mixed 55's gave it their all, earning 21 points to place21st among 43 crews entered in the A (small club) division. Keauhou Canoe Club from the Big Island took the gold in the A division for the second consecutive year with 96 points.
State powerhouse, Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui dominated the day by scoring 305 points to take the AAA (large club division) for the sixth straight year. Puna Canoe Club of the Big Island took its first ever title by winning the AA (medium club division) with 162 points.
Although none of Ka Mamalahoe's crews managed to crack the top 4 this year, everyone enjoyed the days events and cherished the opportunity to compete against some incredible athletes. "It's an honor to be out here with the states best.", said 15 Boys coach and Junior Men crewman Keoni Farias. "Everyone had a good time and should be proud of making it here, awwright!"
For complete results and photos of this weekends state championships, see 2006 PHOTOS and "SCOREBOARD"
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Hui Wa'a Championships, Ke'ehi Lagoon, July 22, 2006
Boys 15 & Mix 55 Crews Claim Titles
Ka Mamalahoe's Mix 55 Crew edged out Manu O' Ke Kai and Na Keiki O' Ka Mo'i to take the Hui Wa'a title and the associations top seed heading into the State Championships on August 5.
Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club closed out the regular season in style with two of its crews, the Boys 15, and the Mixed 55, taking the coveted Ekahi Medal (overall division crew championship) for the Hui Wa'a Racing Association. "This is awesome!" , said Head Coach Scotty Thompson, who also steered the Mix 55 crew. "This is is the first time our club has had more than one Ekahi Medal Crew in one season. Everyone worked hard to make this a special year. Hats off to all our paddlers." The Mix 55 crew of Wanda Sheriff, David Hulbert, Norbert Kitashima, Lynette Smith, Christine Tate-Nishi and Thompson will take Hui Wa'a's top seed heading into the State Championships on August 5.
Likewise, the 15 Boys crew of Keli'i Leoiki-Mutch, Kamu Leoiki-Mutch, Kaipo Leoiki-Mutch, Nainoa Tauala, Bronson Ahakuelo and Drake Richard, although finishing second to Kaneohe in yesterdays race, earned enough points throughout the season to secure the Ekahi Medal and associations top seed at states. "I'm proud of my boys!", said their Coach, Keoni Farias. "They take a pounding from me at practices, but they hang in and it's paid off."
In the Novice B Men division, it came down to the final race of the season to decide the Ekahi Champion. In the race the crew of Nate Vidal, Brian Cole, Jose Cotto, Jake Ness, Mike Harvey and and Terrence Quong lost their final battle of the season with the Waikiki Beach boys, placing second. The crew re-emerged, however, moving up one class to Novice A later in the day to take the bronze and dash the state qualifying hopes of two other season long Novice A crews.
The day was especially sweet for Novice B' crewman Jake Ness as he pulled a first for the club by taking medals in three races. Ness' third medal of the day came when he joined Ronald Lopes, Jake Kearney, Keoni Farias, Frank Deniz and Ely Nakahara to take the Bronze in the Junior Mens Race. The Junior race is a one time race held on Hui Wa'a Championship day as a qualifier to states with the top three crews earning a spot. The Ka Mamalahoe Juniors beat out a host of star studded "stacked crews" for the final state spot, completing their 1 mile race in a time of 7:48.67.
Ka Mamalahoe placed fourth in the AA Medium club division behind Manu O' Ke Kai, Koa Kai, and Alapa Hoe. Kaneohe took the AAA large division for the fourth year in a row while the Waikiki Beach Boys did likewise in the A Small Club division.
Other Ka Mamalahoe Crews that placed well and are "on the bubble" as a state qualifier were the Novice B Women (4th), Senior Master Women 50 (4th), Senior Master Men 50 (4th), Women Novice A (4th) and Mixed Open Six (2nd).
For more on todays racing, click onto 2006 PHOTOS and "SCOREBOARD"
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Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta, Waikiki Beach, July 16, 2006
The High Price of Silver
Paddlers help bring the Ho'olokahi to shore shortly after a collision during the Senior Womens Race. Ka Mamalahoe managed to take second place in the AA Medium Club Division
Mixed 55 Crew found the going rough on the first leg of their 1/2 mile race. The crew weathered the waves but ended up taking 4th.
It was a bittersweet day for Ka Mamalahoe as the loss their ever faithful wa'a, Ho'olokahi, put a damper on an otherwise great day of racing. The collision, which occurred late in the day, during the Senior Women Race, did not stop Ka Mamalahoe crews from continuing as the Open 4 Men and Mixed Open 6 borrowed canoes from other clubs, to earn second place finishes.
Ka Mamalahoe got points from just about every crew it entered, scoring 25 points to take second in the AA Medium Club Division, five points ahead of Waikiki Yacht Club. Koa Kai ran away with the win with 55 points. Na Keiki O' Ka Moi and Waikiki Beach Boys won the AAA Large and A Small Club divisions respectively.
Topping the list of Ka Mamalahoe crews was the Women Master 50s who took the gold in their race. Other Ka Mamalahoe crews that did well and scored points for the club were the Boys 14 (2nd), Boys 15 (2nd), Novice A Women (2nd), Mens Open 4 (2nd), Mixed Open 6 (2nd), Girls 16 (3rd), Boys 16 (3rd), Novice B Men (4th), Mix Masters 45 (4th), Men Masters 50 (4th), Mixed Master 55 (4th).
Ka Mamalahoe will take its show back to the calm waters of Ke'ehi Lagoon next week for the Hui Wa'a Championships. For more on todays racing, click onto 2006 PHOTOS and "SCOREBOARD"
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Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta, Mai'li Beach, July 9, 2006
Mix 55s,15 Boys Lock Up Top Spots
Ka Mamalahoe's Mix 55 Crew power through the finish to take their fourth gold of the year. The crew of Wanda Sheriff, Christine Tate-Nishi, Dave Hulbert, Marilyn Luipold, Norbert Kitashima, and Scotty Thompson are the top seed in their division headed into the Hui Wa'a Championships.
The Mixed 55s and 15 Boys crews of Ka Mamalahoe put a stranglehold on their respective race divisions with gold medal performances at the Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta at Mai'li Beach this past weekend. The Mixed 55s pulled out a close win over arch nemesis Lokahi by 4 seconds in a time of 4:25.93. The Boys 15 race was even closer, as the boys claimed their fourth win of the season by gutting out a one second victory over over Manu O Ke Kai in a time of 4:17.42.
Ka Mamalahoe also got surprisingly strong performances from their Novice A and Freshmen Women. The A Women took took a silver while the Freshmen ladies got their first medal of the year by taking third. Other Ka Mamalahoe crews that scored points for the club were the Novice B Women (4th), Women Senior Master 50 (4th), Senior Master Men 50 (4th), Novice B Men (4th), Girls 16 (4th).
Ka Mamalahoe will continue to take its show on the road next weekend at the Waikiki Beachboys Race. This race will not count in the Hui Wa'a Point Standings because the race will allow open steersman for all crews due to the sometimes rough surf conditions found there. Congratulations to all crews on a fine day of racing. For more on this weekends race see... 2006 PHOTOS
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Koa Kai Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, July 2, 2006
Triple Gold At Koa Kai Regatta
Ka Mamalahoe's Mix 55 Crew crosses the flags with plenty of room to spare. It was the third gold of the year for the the crew of Wanda Sheriff, Christine Tate-Nishi, Dave Hulbert, Marilyn Luipold, Norbert Kitashima and Scotty Thompson.
Ka Mamalahoe tallied a season high three gold medals at this weekends Koa Kai Regatta. The Novice B Men got things going as they cruised past the pack to take their third gold of the year in the 1/2 mile with a time of 3:57.35. Not be outdone, the Mix 55 Crew also took top honors for the third time with a time of 4:37.46.
The 15 Boys crew closed out the days gold run through a bit of good fortune. Kaneohe's crew was penalized for a false start, thus, defaulting the apparent victory to Ka Mamalahoe. The boys won't refuse it, though, as they moved into a tie for the top spot in the point standings headed into the final two races of the season.
Other crews that performed well were the Senior Master Men (3rd), Novice A Women (3rd), Novice B Women (4th) and Freshmen Women (4th) The season moves on next weekend at Mai'li Beach, Waianae. For more on this past weekends race click onto 2006 PHOTOS . Also, see photos of this weekends race in the Honolulu Advertiser at... Women's Golden Race photo gallery
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Kamehameha Regatta, Kailua Beach, June 25, 2006
DQ's Friend and Foe at Kailua
Imua's Novice Bs congradulate Ka Mamalahoe on great race
DQ's were the name of the game at this weekends Kamehameha Regatta at Kailua Beach. For two of Ka Mamalahoes top crews, the Novice B Men and the Mixed Open Six looking to regain their hold on the top spot of the Ekahi Point standings, disqualifications played a key role. For the latter, it proved to be their detriment.
In the Mens Novice B race, Ka Mamalahoe jumped out to a slight lead over their season-long nemesis, Waikiki Beach Boys, both with sizable leads over the rest of the field going into the half-way point, 1/4 mile. During the turn at the buoy, Ka Mamalahoe's Curtis Jamison managed to skillfully maneuver around a slower approaching crew that was coming into their turn, avoiding a disastrous collision. The Beach Boys on the other hand was unable to dodge a slower crew from Lokahi and locked up with them coming around the turn, eventually causing Lokahi to huli (flip). With the Beach Boys DQ'd, it was smooth sailing to the finish as the men crossed the finish 22 seconds ahead of runner-up, Alapa Hoe, thus, leaving the men on top of the Ekahi points standing going into the final two races of the season.
For the Mix Six Crew, with the return of Jake Kearney to their line up, they were chomping at the bit to reclaim the top spot they lost a week ago. Going into their turn at the half way point, it looked as if they were well on their way with a good lead over the Waikiki Beach Boys and the rest of the field. But just as fate would have it on the Beach Boys B Men, such was the case for Ka Mamalahoe's Mix Six as they too, locked up with a crew from Kalihi Kai. With the way clear and their top competition in disarray, Beach Boys cruised on to take the race. Ka Mamalahoe managed to unlock and make a valiant dash to the finish, but it was all for not, because the DQ Gods had already passed judgement on them. Better luck...next time.
Other Ka Mamalahoe crews that faired well were the 15 Boys (2nd), Mixed Golden 55 (2nd),16 Girls (4th), Senior Master Men (4th), Novice B women (4th), Novice A Women (4th) and Senior Master Women (4th). For complete results, click onto "SCOREBOARD" Only a few picture were submitted to our web staff this week but you can check it out at our 2006 PHOTOS page.
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Ke'ehi Lagoon, June 18, 2006
Kalihi Kai Regatta
Sorry no story coverage of this regatta as our web staff was out of the country. Look for results of this race as well as all previous races of the regatta season under "Scoreboard"
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Lokahi Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, June 11, 2006
"Mix Goldens Roll On, Open Mix Dominates"
Ka Mamalahoe's victorious Open Mix Six Crew paddles back to shore after taking the last race of the day at this weekends Lokahi Regatta.
Coach Scotty Thompson and the rest of his coaches, faced with some tough breaks and last minute personnel changes in the moments leading up to this weekends Lokahi Regatta managed to endure and put forth one of it best efforts of the season. Ka Mamalahoe got another top finish from their Hui Wa'a Points leading Mixed Golden Masters and a surprisingly dominant run to gold by the Mixed Open Six crew to place in the top five canoe clubs.
In the Mix Golden race, Wanda Sheriff, David Hulbert, Lynette Smith, Scotty Thompson, Norbert Kitashima and Christine Tate-Nishi seemed to finally shake free of their competition by outdistancing their nearest competition by well over one boat length. In the Open Mix Race, a retooled crew of Jake Kearney, Leah Miller, Ronald Lopes, Keoni Farias, Amy Hines and Yvette Burdette put forth the best mixed crew time of the Hui Wa'a season, finishing more than six seconds ahead of the nearest wa'a (canoe) with a time of 4:04.38.
Also coming in with strong finishes were the 15 Boys (2nd), 15 Girls (3rd), Senior Master Men (3rd), and Novice A Women (4th). Ka Mamalahoe is at home once again next week Sunday, however, Mamalahoekanawai.com will be temporarily out of service for two weeks because their entire staff (Frank) will be out of town. For more coverage of the days races click onto.......2006 PHOTOS
Dave Hulbert, Ka Mamalahoe's Golden Mix Six Crewman, speaks to KHNL news after his crew took their second gold of the season. For more see... "PHOTOS" & "SCOREBOARD"
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June 4, 2006
"Mix Golden Masters Shine In Haleiwa"
Novice B men return from their race. The crew of Nate Vidal, Mike Williams, Jake Ness, Terrence Quong, Jose Cotto and Curtis Jamison were edged out at the finish by the Waikiki Beach Boys to finish 2nd.
Ka Mamalahoe's Mixed Golden Master 55 crew were the lone stars of the day at this weekends Manu O Ke Kai Regatta in Haleiwa. The crew of Norbert Kitashima, Lynette Smith, Wanda Sherriff, Christine Tate-Nishi, David Hulbert and Scotty Thompson nudged out their rivals from Lokahi to take Ka Mamalahoe's only gold of the day.
In one of the more competitive and anticipated races of the day, the Waikiki Beach Boys Novice B Men edged out Ka Mamalahoe, knocking them from the ranks of the unbeaten. The rubber match between these two talented crews is slated for next Sunday, June 11th. Some of the other crews that were able to place well were the 15 Boys (3rd), 15 Girls (3rd), Novice A Women (4th), Novice B Mix (4th) and the Mixed Open Six (4th).
The Splintered Paddlers return to their home turf at Ke'ehi Lagoon next week Sunday for the Lokahi Regatta. For more photo coverage of today's race go to...2006 PHOTOS
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May 28, 2006
“Novice B Men, 15 Boys Rule On Opening Day”
KGMB 9 News sports reporters interview steersman Curtis Jamison and the rest of the Novice B Men shortly after their victory.
Ka Mamalahoe kicked off its season by fielding 16 race crews at the Kamehmeha Regatta this past Sunday at Ke'ehi Lagoon. Ka Mamalahoe got a dominant first place performance from their Novice B Men and later squeaked out another gold in the Boys 15 race to finish 4th overall in a closely contested race in the AA Division (medium size clubs) behind Koa Kai, Manu O Ke Kai and Alapa Hoe respectively.
Also impressing at yesterdays races were the Novice B Women (2nd), Novice A Women (3rd), and Mix Golden 55 (2nd). Paddler Danny Chacon of the Mixed Novice B's got the inspirational paddler of the day award as he injured his wrist in a freak accident prior to the race, but opted not to have his crew scratch from the race. Danny gutted it out, nearly helping his crew to a tope three finish. Mahalo, Danny and congratulations to all paddlers for making todays race a success. The season continues with next weekends Manu O Ke Kai Regatta at Haleiwa. See below for more...
Victorious Boys 15 Crew pose with proud Coach Keoni
For more of todays race see... 2006 PHOTOS