The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation paddling regattas resume Saturday at the Wailua River following the state Department of Education winter break. Following two regattas, the last one held Dec. 17 at the Wailua River, the Kapa‘a varsity boys lead the standings
The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation paddling regattas resume Saturday at the Wailua River following the state Department of Education winter break.
Following two regattas, the last one held Dec. 17 at the Wailua River, the Kapa‘a varsity boys lead the standings with eight points following a close win over Kaua‘i High School at the Dec. 17 regatta.
The Warriors remain undefeated, slicing through the wind-buffeted river punctuated with showers on a 3:39:42 paddle, less than a second ahead of the Red Raider boys (3:40:12), with Waimea filling in the third place spot on a 4:01:22 paddle.
For the powerful Warriors, this was not their fastest run as they posted a 3:36:98 half-mile in the preliminary heat, Kaua‘i also on their heels with a 3:39:22 tour and Waimea stopping the clock on a 3:50:93 paddle.
But the Warriors did not fare well in the girls division as it blanked that division to Kaua‘i High School wahine who currently lead the division with six points.
The Red Raider wahine, with Tirah Yamamoto as its stroker, powered through crisp turns, stopping the clocks at 4:13:61 in the final heat over Waimea (4:16:12) and Kawaikini (4:17:61).
As in the boys division, the Kaua‘i girls moved through the preliminary heats on a 4:07:07 run through the half-mile course, with Waimea posting a 4:17:19 paddle.
“We have been training very hard over the holiday break,” said Lori Parraga, coach of the Red Raider wahine squad, in an email. “With last week’s win putting the girls ahead in the varsity girls division, the Raider girls have every intention to get back into the water and hold onto its win.”
The Kaua‘i varsity girls’ win was augmented by its junior varsity girls also topping their division, the fastest time posted by its “B” crew on a 4:20:43 over its “A” crew who stopped the clock at 4:23:76 over the half-mile course.
The Kapa‘a Warriors rebounded to post top honors in the varsity mixed division, slipping across the line on a 3:49:13 run in the final heat over the challenging Red Raiders (3:49:78) and the Menehune (4:31:63).
Kapa‘a also posted top honors in the junior varsity boys and mixed divisions, the Warrior JV boys’ fasted run stopping the clock at 3:58:59 and the JV mixed division Warriors clocking a 4:13:61 to set the pace. The Warriors are undefeated in both the JV boys and mixed divisions.
The first strokers hit the water at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the public is invited to view the contest free.
