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2007 REGATTA SEASON
Hele on to Kauai!!
HCRA State Championships, Hanalei, Kauai, August 4 2007
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Men crew of Kawika Bautista, Kui Keomaka, Justin Damo, Shaff Bautista, Mike Medina and Chaz Bautista placed third at a this weekends HCRA State Championships.
Ka Mamalahoe took its five state qualifying crews to Hanalei Bay, Kauai for the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association (HCRA) State Championships this past weekend. Competing in the A Division (8 or fewer crews), Ka Mamalahoe did not appear to look much different than state appearances of years past. At days end however, the results were far from usual.
Ka Mamalahoe, on the heels of their 3rd place Novice B Men, and competitive showings from their Mixed Master 40s (7th), and Mixed Open Six (8th), finished 4th among 28 canoe clubs in the A Division with 34 points. The overall 4th place finish at states capped a landmark season for the small club from Ke'ehi Lagoon that saw them win their first Hui Wa'a Association Championship. The previous best club finish at states for Ka Mamalahoe was 15th in 2005.
Season long Hui Wa'a rival, Kalihi Kai, who lost the Hui Wa'a Champioship to Ka Mamalahoe on a coin toss tie breaker two weeks earlier, edged them out for the prestigious state bronze medal with 38 points. Kawaihae and Keaukaha Canoe Clubs, from the Big Island, topped the A Division with 49 and 46 points, respectively.
In the AA Division (9-17 crews), fellow Hui Wa'a member, Waikiki Beach Boys took home their first ever club title, with 122 points to Keauhou of the Big Island (112) and Kauai's Na Molokama (110).
Power house Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui, ran away with the AAAA (17-39 crews) state title for the 7th consecutive year with 359 points, followed by OHCRA's Lanikai (328) and Kailua (273) canoe clubs. For more on todays races see "Photos" and Honolulu Advertiser Results
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Hui Wa'a Champions!!
Ka Mamlahoe paddlers hoist the 1st Place Champion Trophy for the A Division (small clubs)
Hui Wa'a Championships, Ke'ehi Lagoon, July 21 2007
Coin Toss Tie Breaker Give Ka Mamalahoe its first-ever championship
History was made yesterday, as Ka Mamalahoe won its first ever Hui Wa'a Club Championship in its five-year existence. It was not easy, however, as a tie breaker coin toss at days end against Kalihi Kai Canoe Club was needed to determine the winner.
After winning its opening regatta of the season, Ka Mamalahoe came close but was never able to push through to win until today, when it counted the most. Led by their stellar Novice B Men (1st), Ka Mamalahoe built an early lead through the first 20 races. Kalihi Kai, fueled by their standout open men and women, took a two point lead going into the days final race. That's where Ka Mamalahoe's Open Mix Six Crew came through big time, edging out a crew from Lokahi to place third, earning the two points needed to tie at 19 apiece. Lucky luck, did the rest and Ka Mamalahoe began the celebration. "I've never seen a Championship finish like this before, but I'll take it." Said Head Coach Scott Thompson.
In making their run to the title, Ka Mamalahoe got their points from its usual suspects in the Novice B Women (2nd), Senior Master Women (2nd), Mixed Master 40s (2nd), Mixed Master 45s (3rd), and Senior Women (4th). Rounding out the top five in the A Division was Hawaiian Outrigger (10), North Shore (9), and Winward Kai (8). Kaneohe Canoe Club took their fifth straight Hui Wa'a AAA (Large Club) Crown with 75 points to Manu O' Ke Kai's 62, and Waikiki Beach Boys ran away with the AA (Medium Club) title, outscoring Koa Kai, 48 to 25.
Ka Mamalahoe crews now look to the State Championships on August 4th, in Hanalei, Kauai. Four crews; Novice B Men and Women, Senior Master Women and Mixed Open 6, punched their tickets to the big show, while a fifth, the Mixed Master 40s, tied with Na Keiki O' Ka Mo'i for the final spot in their race division. The fate of both crews will be decided later this week by Hui Wa'a Officials. See photos and complete results of today's championships on the following links..."2007 Hui Wa'a Championship Photos" , and "Results"
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Waikiki Beach Boy Regatta, Waikiki Beach, July 15 2007
"Pa'ale" Debuts at Beach Boy Regatta
Ka Mamalahoe paddled to victory in the Senior Master Mens race at Waikiki. The crew of Ted Kunishige, Norbert Kitashima, Cliff Tollotson, Mike Tosaki Carl Machemer and Scott Thompson finished the 1/2 mile race with a winning time of 3:55.49.
Ka Mamalahoe ushered in in their new Force Five racing wa'a, the "Pa'ale" at this weekends Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta. The "Pa'ale", aptly translated as "wave cutter", sliced through the Waikik surf, safely bringing home its crews with (2) Golds, (3) Silver, a Bronze and (2) 4th place finishes to finish in 3rd place in the A Division of small canoe clubs with 26 points. Kalihi Kai led the way with 36 and Kai Poha was the runner up with 29.
"We had an awesome day of racing.", said Ka Mamalahoe head coach Scott Thompson. "It was a fun day for everyone and the Pa'ale brought everyone back safely. I can't ask for much more."
Today's regatta, sponsored by Waikiki Beach Boys Canoe Club, was a fun race that did not count in the point standings for crews attempting to qualify for the State Championships on August 4th. Ka Mamalahoe will end its regular season next week, July 21 at the Hui Wa'a Championships in Ke'ehi Lagoon. See more on today's races at... "Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta" and "Scoreboard"
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Na Keiki O' Ka Mo'i Regatta, Ma'ili Beach, July 8 2007
Westside Best Side For B Men, Senior Master Women
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Men locked up Hui Wa'as Top Spot headed into the Association Championships on July 22, with a hard fought victory at Ma'ili Beach.
Ka Mamalahoe's Senior Master Women and Novice B Men, returned to the top this past weekend at Ma'ili Beach during the Na Keiki O' Ka Mo'i Regatta. The Senior Master Women secured the second Hui Wa'a spot at next months state championships in Kauai, while the B Men have clinched the first spot and set themselves up to earn the coveted Hui Wa'a "Ekahi" Medal. The Ekahi Medal is awarded to crews that have won their division and earned a minimal of 25 accumulated points throughout the season. Both crews were pushed to the limit during their races, each winning by one second over their runner up crews.
Other crews that placed on the day and have positioned themselves to make a run at states were the Novice B Women (2nd), Mixed Master 40s (3rd) and Mixed Open Six (3rd).
As for the overall clubs standings on the day, Ka Mamalahoe came up 1 point shy of A Division winner Kalihi Kai, (20-19). Next up for Ka Mamalahoe is the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta at Waikiki Beach on July 15. This race is a "fun" race and will not count for points in standings for crews looking to qualify for the State Championships in Hanalei, Kauai on August 4.
For more on todays races, see... Na Keiki O' Ka Mo'i Regatta and "Scoreboard"
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Koa Kai Laulima Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, July 1 2007
Separated by Seconds
Ka Mamalahoe's Senior Master Women came close but could not close the gap on North Shore. The crew placed second,
Ka Mamalahoe paddlers returned to their home stomping grounds at Ke’ehi Lagoon this past weekend for the July 1st Koa Kai Regatta. Winding down towards the back end of the regatta season, Ka Mamalahoe crews appear to be peaking at the right time as several of it crews made big strides in closing the gap on other crews that have otherwise dominated the season.
In the Novice B Women Division, undefeated Waikiki Beach Boys got their toughest test of the year, outlasting runner up Ka Mamalahoe with a quarter mile time of 2:08.46 to 2:15.38.
Ka Mamalahoe’s Mixed Open Six Crew seemed to have finally hit their stride, pushing Hui Wa’a points leader, Kaneohe, to the brink, finishing the half mile race just one second behind with a time of 4:05.92.
In the Novice B Mens race, Ka Mamalahoe seemed poised to lock up the top spot for the overall season title, but on this day, they may have been too fast for their own good. Leading the pack coming out of their quarter mile turn, they got locked up with a crew from Lokahi, who was headed in the other direction. Seemingly dead in the water and suspended for what seemed like forever, several boats passed them up. But the guys showed their big hearts by charging back, passing up four boats along the way back only to come up 1 second short to the Beach Boys (4:01.43 to 4:02.64).
Ka Mamalahoe’s Freshmen Women also gave a gutsy performance in their one mile race to edge out Waikiki Yacht Club by one second and a fourth place finish, scoring a crucial point for the club with a time of 10:36.26.
Several of Ka Mamalahoe’s crews contributed in scoring points towards the clubs overall second place finish in the A Division for small clubs with 16 points, just ahead of North Shore (14) and not far behind division winner Kalihi Kai (21). Other crews that placed and scored points for the club were the Senior Master Women (2nd), Mixed Masters (3rd) and Master Women (4th).
Ka Mamalahoe next heads out to Waianae’s Mai’li Beach for the Na Keiki O’ Ka Mo’i Regatta on July 8th. This will be the last regatta of the season that will count for points headed into the Hui Wa’a Championships on July 21st. The Waikiki Beach Boy Regatta on July 15th is regarded as a “fun” race regatta and the results of those races will not count toward overall crew point standings. For more on today’s racing see, Koa Kai Regatta and Scoreboard
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North Shore Regatta, Haleiwa, June 24 2007
Ka Mamalahoe Takes 3rd at North Shore
Ka Mamalahoe’s Senior Master Women earned a tough 2nd place finish against North Shore Canoe Club.
Ka Mamlahoe picked itself up off the wind swept sands of Kailua and headed out for the North Shore Canoe Club regatta in Haleiwa this past weekend. After a disappointing showing the previous week, the Splintered Paddlers of Ke’ehi got solid performances all around to bounce back from their lowest point total in three years.
Led by their Senior Master Women (2nd), B Men (2nd) and Mix Open 6 crew (3rd), Ka Mamalahoe stayed in the hunt for the club title throughout the day, finishing with 12 points behind North Shore (15) and Kalihi Kai (24). Other crews that placed were the B Women (4th), Sr Master Men (4th), Freshmen Women (4th) and Mix Master 40’s (4th).
Head Coach Scotty Thompson seemed pleased with the results. “It wasn’t our best day but it was a definite improvement over last week. There were two extremely close races (Senior Master Women & B Men) that could have made a huge difference in the point standings, but the effort was there and that’s all I can ask for.”
Thompson and the rest of his paddlers hope next weeks return to their home waters of Ke’ehi Lagoon on July 1st will bump them up in the standings. See the latest on today’s races in the North Shore Regatta, Haleiwa, June 24 2007 and Scoreboard section of the website.
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Winward Kai Regatta, Kailua Beach, June 17 2007
Open Steersman Rule Dominates Kailua Regatta
Waikiki Beach Boys Novice B Men Crew (in front) handed Ka Mamlahoe its first loss of the season.
A week removed from one of its most impressive showings in recent memory, Ka Mamlahoe floundered in the sloppy surf at this weekends Winward Kai Regatta at Kailua Beach. The rough conditions prompted officials to employ the "open steersman rule" for all races. The rule allows for all open steersman (female and male) to compete in all races as needed where safety is concerned.
For many crews, this played well in their favor, pulling out victories or placing in races they had previously never placed in before. For Ka Mamalahoe, however, the rule, coupled with some tough breaks here and there made for their lowest point total in three years (5 points) and a 4th place finish in the A Division (small clubs). Kalihi Kai, for the second consecutive week took the overall title, while North Shore and Winward Kai shared 2nd place with 10 points apiece.
The day also saw Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Men fall for the first time this year. The crew, missing a key paddler in Justin Damo, gave it their all but ended up placing 5th in their 1/2 mile race. All tolled, every Ka Mamalahoe crew took at least one place down from the previous weeks regatta.
Head Coach Scotty Thompson remained upbeat, however..."We'll bounce back next week. We had the worst luck today, but some key paddlers will be back and we should see better conditions in Haleiwa. We're just gonna go back to work and paddle hard."
Indeed, Ka Mamalahoe will try to do just that in the North Shore Canoe Club Regatta this Sunday, June 24th in Haleiwa. For more on today's race, see...Winward Kai Regatta, Kailua, June 17 2007 and Scoreboard
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Lokahi Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, June 10, 2007
Kalihi Kai Takes Its Turn at the Top
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B men jumped out to a fast start and a lead they never relinquished finishing first in the 1/2 mile event.
For the third week this season, a third different canoe club has emerged to claim the top spot in the A Division (small clubs). As coaches review previous race results and strategize where they can pick up points, it seems Kalihi Kai may have found the solution. Despite Ka Mamalahoe's best all around performace of the year, Kalihi Kai utilized their strength in the open men, to string together three first place finishes and edge out Ka Mamalahoe 21 to 19. North Shore Canoe Club finished a distant 3rd with 6 points.
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B men continued their winning ways with a dominant performance in their 1/2 mile race. The crew of Kawika Bautista, Kui Keomaka, Justin Damo, Shaff Bautista, Mike Medina and Chaz Bautista blazed through the 1/2 mile course with the states best time of the year (3:47.11).
The story of the day may have been Ka Mamalahoe's Senior Master Women. The crew of Char Meyer, Christine Tate-Nishi, Marilyn Luipold, Karen Spellmeyer, Irene Torres and Lauree Kaleikau-Gill came from behind to edge out perennial Senior Master powerhouse North Shore by less than one second in their 1/2 mile race.
Other crews that did well on the day were the Novice B Women (2nd), Mixed Open Six (2nd) and the Master Women (3rd). The end of the day featured a fun race that did not count in the standings...the Mixed Open 4 Beer Run 1/2 mile race. Here, the crew of Amy Hines, Dara Hubin, Shaff Bautista and Chaz Bautista did not disappoint as they collected a cool case of Coors for the club. Congrads to all!
Races continue next week at Kailua for the Windward Kai Regatta. For more on the days racing, see... Lokahi Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, June 10 2007 and Scoreboard
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Manu O Ke Kai Regatta, Haleiwa, June 3, 2007
North Shore Topples Ka Mamalahoe
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B women return to shore after their quarter mile race. The crew of Brandy, Susan, Julie, Lorna and Nako placed third behind Waikiki Beach Boys and Koa Kai.
One week removed from only their second regatta victory in club history, Ka Mamalahoe was unable to repeat as North Shore Canoe Club defended its home turf to take the A Division (small clubs) at Haleiwa Beach this past Sunday. Just as the previous week, it was a close race with North Shore putting up 17 points to Ka Mamalahoe's second place finish of 14. Kalihi Kai placed 3rd with 11 points.
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Men remained perfect on this young season, although they faced a strong challenge from the crew from Waikiki Beach Boys. The Beach Boys led the field headed into the quarter mile turn (half-way) but Ka Mamalahoe pulled it out with a powerful finish at the end to to edge out their rivals from Magic Island by less than one second.
Other Ka Mamalahoe crews with strong showings were the Senior Master Women (2nd), Novice B Women (2nd), Mix Master 40s (2nd) and Mix Open 6 (4th).
In the AAA Division (large clubs), Kaneohe was first, followed by Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i and Lokahi. Manu O' Ke Kai, Koa Kai and Waikiki Beach Boys topped the AA (medium) division.
Ka Mamlahoe now heads back home to the friendly confines of Ke'ehi Lagoon for the Lokahi Canoe Club Regatta on June 10th. For more on todays races go to Ka Mamalahoe's Manu O' Ke Kai Regatta, Haleiwa, June 3, 2007 and Scoreboard or the Hui Wa'a Link...results
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Kaneohe Canoe Club Regatta, Ke'ehi Lagoon, May 27, 2007
Ka Mamalahoe Takes Season Opener
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Men jump out to an early lead that they never relinquished during the opening day of the 2007 Regatta Season.
Led by their 1st place Novice B Men, Ka Mamalahoe scored a regatta victory in the A Division (Small Club Size). Head Coach Scotty Thompson's paddlers outlasted North Shore Canoe Club 14 to 11 to record the clubs second regatta victory in its 5 year existence, the last coming on opening day of 2005.
The B Men of Kawika Bautista, Chaz Bautista, Kui Keomaka, Mike Medina, Carl Machemer and Justin Damo scored the clubs lone gold of the day with a commanding 12 second victory over their nearest competition and the rest of the 8-crews entered in the race. Also, placing well this day was the Novice B Women (2nd), Senior Master Women (2nd), and Mixed Master 40s (2nd).
Kaneohe Canoe Club dominated the AAA (Large Club) Division, followed by Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i and Lokahi. Manu O Ke Kai, Waikiki Beach Boys and Koa Kai went 1,2,3 in the AA (Med Club) Division.
The season rolls on June 3 at Haleiwa for the Manu O Ke Kai Regatta. More on todays races see Kaneohe Regatta,Ke'ehi Lagoon, May 27 2007 & Scoreboard or Hui Wa'a Link...results
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