Dutch Fairbanks of Kilauea, Jack Machorek of Kalaheo and Asa Hendrickson of Lawa‘i filled the top spots of the Keiki 9 to 12 division of the 5th annual Open Water Swim, recently.
Namolokama Canoe Club hosted the event which drew spectators and participants from the local community as well as California, Nevada, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Denmark, the throng braving the rain and overcast conditions which blanketed this year’s event at the Hanalei Bay.
Naomi Yokotake, a North Shore kumu hula, offered the pule for the 140 swimmers who ranged in age from 8 to 80 as a prelude to the open water swim.
Following the boys, the top three finishers in the Girls 9-12 division included Calli Hoy, Claire Bardin and Honey Chandler.
Katie Hashman of Austin, Texas, topped the 8 and Under swimmers who entered the water first. She was tailed by Teja Laird of Honolulu and Sarah Burrell of Aptos, Calif.
The boys in that division were led by Cole Bardin of Los Angeles and Teddy Goyette of Aptos, Calif.
Jim McCullough of Hanalei was followed by Torin Knodel of Kapa‘a and Kenny Slaught of Santa Barbara, Calif., in the men’s 1/2 Mile. Maddie Hashman of Austin, Texas, was the first woman finisher in that event.
Hanna Landry of Riverside, Calif., topped the women in the 1 Mile event, with Hannah Krueger of Kapa‘a and Robin Pratt of Lihu‘e filling the top three in that division.
Mitchell Landry of Riverside, Calif., headed the men’s division of the 1 Mile followed by Jonathan McMullen of Long Beach, Calif., and Tony Bardin.
Victoria West of Lihu‘e topped the women in the 2 Mile event followed by Karen Finnerty of Kapolei, O‘ahu, and Shannon Wigent of Kalaheo.
Leo McCarthy, recently completing the “TLC triathlon” with fellow competitors Travis Parker and Casey McCraw, topped the men’s division in the 2 Mile swim.
The strong triathlete was followed by Phillip Kim and Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics head coach Billy Brown who had earlier in the summer swam the Strait of Gibralter.
Barbara Smith said the event was made possible through the efforts of all the volunteers as well as BarAcuda, the St. Regis Princeville Resort, the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay and the YMCA of Kaua‘i who were the major sponsors of the event.
Visit www.namolokama.com for complete event results and more information.
