LIHU‘E — Don’t have a four-man canoe? Chris Kauwe said that is not a problem, as there are canoes teams can borrow when the Canoe Surfing Challenge (wa‘a nalu) hosts its event in October at Kalapaki Beach. The Po‘ipu Beach
LIHU‘E — Don’t have a four-man canoe?
Chris Kauwe said that is not a problem, as there are canoes teams can borrow when the Canoe Surfing Challenge (wa‘a nalu) hosts its event in October at Kalapaki Beach.
The Po‘ipu Beach Surfing Canoe Club is accepting applications for the Canoe Surfing Challenge scheduled for Oct. 16, 17, 23 or 24, depending on surf conditions for the target dates.
Team entry fee is $60 per canoe, or $15 per paddler and includes event T-shirts and lunch.
Judging criteria is similar to surf contests and participants will be rated on size of the wave, length of the wave and tricks performed, he said.
“We have been holding this ‘Canoe Surfing Challenge’ every 18 months on Kaua‘i for the past seven years,” Kauwe said. “Two have been at Po‘ipu Beach and two have been at Kalapaki Beach. We are hoping the fifth event will roll out on Oct. 16, surf-permitting.”
Kauwe said the goal of the challenge is to bring friends and families together for a day of food, fun, and competition in four-man surfing canoes on Kaua‘i’s waves.
The challenge also introduces and promotes the ancient Hawaiian sport of wa‘a nalu, or canoe surfing, to visitors and locals.
The Po‘ipu Beach Surfing Canoe Club was formed in 2003 to gather fellow fun-loving surfers and canoe paddlers who have crossed over into the world of canoe surfing.
Members range from Kaua‘i, Texas, Alaska, New York, California, Colorado and Hawai‘i, with membership open to anyone who takes a ride in a four-man canoe on Kaua‘i.
The YMCA of Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Water Patrol, Honi Honi Honey, Hoku Water Sports, Ali‘i Nation, Adrenalin Hawai‘i, KandyBa Graphics and Taro Fields are sponsors that make the event possible.
For more information, call Kauwe at 652-8897 or 635-5943.
