SEATTLE — Kaua‘i paddlers took the top five places in the OC1, 70-Plus Men’s Division of the Gorge Downwind Champs, according to fellow paddler Sonny Cruz.
Jack Edgehill, Lucky Ho‘okano, Art Chow, Phil Morgan and Tom Bartlett filled in the slots at the river race from Home Valley, Washington to Hood River, Oregon.
Sonny Cruz along with Shaydon Moises finished in fourth place in the OC2 Men’s Division at the Gorge Downwind Champs in Washington and Oregon.
“The Kauaians represented,” Cruz said “The Kaua‘i paddlers competed in several divisions on a race course that runs 13.3 miles, starting at Home Valley, Washington, and culminating at Hood River, Oregon. This is a somewhat off-the-norm race for Kaua‘i paddlers, being that it is on a river and against the current.”
Steve Cole finished fourth in the OC1 60-69 Men’s Division, and Mac McDonald finished in the top 10 of 40 competitive paddlers in that division.
“In OC50-59 men’s division, Mike Serpa represented Kaua‘i with a solid finish, as did Rusty Smith,” Cruz said. “In the OC1 40-49 men’s division, Sam Shaw, a renowned Kaua‘i tattoo artist and avid paddler, showed up and represented. In the OC1 Open Men’s Division, Makana Darval-Chang put his mettle to the test and finished strong amongst some of the most elite paddlers in the world.”
Lynn Christensen and Joy Brahmst finished with the silver medal in the OC2 Women’s Division. Marge Goodno and Annie Allen finished just short of the podium with a fourth-place finish.
“In the OC1 Women’s division, Ellen Weaver, Alicia Hadlesky and Lauren Denton finished strong for Kaua‘i,” Cruz said.
Jeremy Cole and Alan Goto finished in third place for bronze medals in the OC2 Men’s division, with Sonny Cruz along with Shaydon Moises finishing in fourth place in the OC2 Men’s Division.
“Wade Yamamoto and Kurt Viluan were right on our tails with a solid finish,” Cruz said. “Congratulations to all Kaua‘i paddlers on a great showing.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
