An 8-mile “warm up” paddle on Kaua‘i’s North Shore May 5 will open the three-day 9th Annual Kaua‘i World Challenge hosted by the Kaua‘i Hoe Wa‘a and the YMCA of Kaua‘i. The paddle is scheduled to start at noon and
An 8-mile “warm up” paddle on Kaua‘i’s North Shore May 5 will open the three-day 9th Annual Kaua‘i World Challenge hosted by the Kaua‘i Hoe Wa‘a and the YMCA of Kaua‘i.
The paddle is scheduled to start at noon and signals the start of the international outrigger canoe-paddling event, which attracts visitors and paddlers from around the world to Kaua‘i.
A Merchandise Expo which is open to the public will be held in the Grand Promenade of the Grand Hyatt Regency Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, May 6 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Expo serves as a prelude to registration, as well as the carbo load dinner sponsored by the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, said Robin Jumper in a release.
Robin, teaming with husband LeRoy in Team Jumper, finished the 2010 event in 41st place aboard an OC 1, competing in the Mixed division and making the crossing from Wailua Beach to Salt Pond Beach Park in 4:32:42.
The main race is scheduled to leave Wailua Beach at 8 a.m., May 7 in a relay format.
OC 1 and OC 2 teams paddle from the start line at Wailua Beach to the first paddler exchange point at the Hanama‘ulu Beach Park, the second paddler taking the craft to the third relay point set up at Kalapaki Beach fronting the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club where the Marriott Resorts will provide water and fruit for the teams.
The next leg takes paddlers to open water until the relay point set up in Po‘ipu fronting the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club where the Marriott Resorts will also have water and fruit for the paddlers.
Po‘ipu to Salt Pond Beach Park is the final leg of the race.
Stand Up Paddle teams participating in the race will make the crossing from Kalapaki Beach to the Salt Pond Beach Park with a relay point set up in Po‘ipu.
Cash prize awards await finishers in the elite division as well as specific age divisions during the post-race meal sponsored by Kalapaki Joe’s.
Manny Kulukulualani and Jimmy Austin of Team Kamanu I topped the field during the 2010, racing aboard an OC 1 in the Kane 30-39 division and making the trip in 3:27:01.
They were challenged by the duo of Mike Murray and Travis Grant of Kamanu OZ aboard an OC 1 in the Kane 20-29 division and touching down about five minutes later at 3:32:09.
Wes deSilva and Dylan Thomas of Moku O Havaiki finished as the first Surfski team in fourth place overall at 3:40:04.
Sharon Brunner and Peter Chow of Team PMSS was the first OC 2 team to finish, touching down 16th overall on a 4:02:03 crossing.
The event is made possible through the host of sponsors including the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Hand Therapy, Da Life, Holo Holo Boat Tours, Kalapaki Joe’s, Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association, Kaua‘i Festivals, Kamanu Composites, Island Pacific Mortgages, KQNG Radio Group and Kia Kaha.
Visit www.kauaiworldchallenge.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
