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OC6 Crystal Pier Hanohano 08

Aloha Paddlers

Here’s a toast of hot coffee to you in the morning.  Yesterday May 10^th was the first race of the season for SCORA Southern California Outrigger Association.  Our host club was Hanohano of San Diego. A beautiful spring day it was, as the temperature was just perfect from morning to evening.

Looks like the Association is growing larger still.  The beach again was very crowded as every available space along the water’s edge was occupied.  Pretty soon we’ll have to establish a public right of way through the tents. It was impossible to get to and from your canoe without walking through somebody’s private area.

The ocean wasn’t rough, just very bumpy like a washing machine.  With pointed swells crisscrossing each other in indiscernible patterns it was sometimes difficult to keep a continuous stroke rhythm.  Sometimes swells hit the canoes from the left and the right at the same time.  One second you’re racing along on course and the next, a swell picks you up and sets you down facing to the left or right.  If you were a steersman, it was a great test for quick reflexes.  Or one could look at it the other way.  It was not a good test for slow reflexes. 

It is the first six-man race of the season and the nervous energy has us up early and driving to San Diego. Our crew consisted of Casey Owens, Charley Banfield, Mike Long, two paddlers from Jericho Outrigger in Canada and myself, Jim Vitale.  

The weather in the morning looks as though it could be a long flat race but as we approach the race venue we see the sun reveal itself and the prospects for the wind to pickup look good. After rigging the canoe, stretching, and loosening up we gather to talk about our strategy. We know the competition will be tough so we have to focus on blend since this will be our first time paddling together as a crew.

On the paddle out to the start we find a groove that we think will work. Looking around we know that the other teams have put together strong and experienced crews. Our only thought is to stay competitive and find a rhythm as we entertain thoughts of coming out fast and trying to stay near the leaders.

 We are relaxed and ready as the race starts. It has always amazed me

at the start of every race that there seems to be ten or more crews that will sprint out for those coveted top three or four position. We paddle hard and try to keep clear of the other canoes. After one mile the field begins to take

shape. Team Cal Masters, Dana, Imua and Marina Del Rey have established the early lead. We find that we are within striking distance, but we have to stay in control, relax, keep the power and rhythm constant. Our steersman finds his line and calls out “GO NOW!” as each bump rolls under our canoe.

We are gaining on Marina and pass them in what seems like super slow motion. The leaders round the first turn in a procession, Team Cal, Dana, Imua then our boat. We have a front row view of the mirage crews as they battle it out on the second leg. Imua makes a move on Team Cal as we push hard on every available bump to close in on Dana. We round the second turn and prepare for a down swell run, which turns out to be a humbling experience as the mirage crews slip away. We still have a boat on Marina Del Rey, but they’re chasing us down and definitely have not giving up. They push us hard all the way into the harbor and to the finish where we cross within view of the top three boats.

            What an amazing experience that was to paddle with and against some of the most talented paddlers on the coast. The finishing gaps were small enough to be reminded that with one mistake in course or lack of attention to the details, the next crew would enjoy the victory. Thanks again to our guest paddlers, race organizers and to the other crews that made this race one to remember.  

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Written by Craig Williams, Outrigger Team California
As we paddled out through the jetty to the start line, we were in awe at the number of great paddlers on the water.  “Who’s in the Dana boat?”  “I heard Joe’s coaching Imua this year…”  “Too bad the Lanakila boys aren’t here”. I’m always humbled by the athletes that we compete against, and proud to be in a race with them. 

            The start line formed as boats began the anxious creeping forward for position, and all thoughts were replaced by focus.  Our boat fell silent, then all I heard was Tony, “Ready…. ready… ready… Go! 

            The start was clean.  Tony took an inside line that allowed us to separate early and focus on our own boat.  Winter training paid off as the engine room operated as a unit and projected our canoe onto each bump as we ran to establish a lead.  Off to port we could sense our competition.  Dana, Marina, Imua, and our own Bradley crew were all finding their own rhythms and enjoying a great start as well.

            Our canoe was quiet and focused on the task at hand.  We could hear the calls of paddlers in the canoes near us as we approached to first turn.  We gave a little push just before the turn, but came out of the turn only a boat or two in front of Dana and not far in front of the other leaders. 

The second piece was really two separate pieces; one to the west, and one to the south.  At first, the lead boat had us heading west into the wind.  We had recently taken a similar line at practice, and attempted to replicate our stroke rate and power.  The boat ran well and we separated from the nearest canoes by a boat or two.  Spirits were running high, but our canoe was still very quiet and focused.  Suddenly, as the lead boat veered southward, I heard the calls of a canoe making a move.  It was Imua!  Where did they come from?  They came up and the two of us had a great up-wind battle side by side.  Eventually we could see the lead boat drop the turn buoy.  With the turn in sight and the battle with Imua in progress, we had great incentive to make our own move.  Once again, we adjusted our rate and the engine room kicked into another gear.  We earned a small gap just before the final turn.

Just around the turn, Tim fired us up immediately with, “Bump!…bump!…bump!”  A decent down hill run followed, not filled with any long rides, but many short bursts of speed.  We had a fair gap rounding the bell buoy as the calls behind us faded.  We maintained that gap through the flat part of the race, past the bridges and shallow section, and into the finish.  Nice racing Imua, Dana, Marina, and the others!  We look forward to the battles that lie ahead with the many great athletes in SCORA.

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Written by Suzanne Serafin
Open Women Recap
The womens start is becoming too alike the mens starts for my liking, but it was a clean start so that's a
plus. The run to the pier had the usual fun bumps and push from the south that make you feel like it's not going to be that bad after all, then you turn and hope the lead boat knows where it's going. This is where the third place Lanankila played Hanohano like a fiddle, and sneaked in on the inside taking a solid second to NAC 's two boat lead.  The second Leg had it's usual feeling of eternity to set up a fast third leg back to the jetty. The top three boats battled for position in the third leg working the tide and swell for every inch.    Hanohano reached the next turn in first place with NAC in second and Lanakila in third. Positions changed again in the channel and the three
competative steerswomen found every possible boat wake in the bay, all the way to the finish line but NAC held thier lead in the bay to win the race. Overall conditions were great and the sportsmanship on the water and off was exemplary. 2008 season is off to a great start!

Returning from the Hawaiian races are some of our California OC1 paddlers.  Congratulations guys and gals, you did well. It takes a lot of time and money to compete in Hawaii in conditions we're not accustomed to. Several entered the Kauai Relays, the Pa’a Molokai solo OC1 race, the Molokai Relay race, Maui to Molokai OC1 race.  This weekend there will be a second OC1 Molokai solo race.  The reason why there are two OC1 solo Molokai races is because a new organizer, PA’A wanted to organize a Molokai crossing for only OC1 canoes.  No other crafts are allowed.  Whereas the original Solo crossing organized by Kanaka Ikaika includes surfskies, standup boards and paddleboards. This was the original Molokai solo.   Now that it is growing larger and becoming difficult to obtain escorts and manage logistics, some felt that the volume of OC1 racers had grown to the point where they need a dedicated race all to themselves.  This being the initial year of both Molo Solos, a conflict of schedule has occurred.  Some paddlers have already planned to do both crossings.  Next year should prove to be interesting as to how both organizers will present their races.  Will there be only one crossing or will there be two. Will the Champion of the first race be considered the overall champion or will it have to be shared by the champion of the second race. There is a possibility that the winner of the first crossing must win the second crossing again in order to be truly called the champion.  Of all the paddlers from California only Danny Ching and maybe one other remain in Hawaii to race the second Molo Solo this weekend.  He has been in Hawaii for nearly a month in a crash course of working the bumps. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2933271455790541751&hl=en  Entering as many Hawaiian races as time permits.  His race results have been fairly successful earning a first place early on, several seconds and finally several thirds in Molokai and Kauai.  In the last Molo solo he was ahead for about and hour or so, but was passed by World Champions Karel Tresnak and Kai Bartlett, who seemed to be expertly riding the bumps and not working as hard.  However he knows that perception plays a big role when observing good paddlers. They always seem to be cruising, but we all know that no one cruises.   And if you were close enough, you would see a total output of energy unlike most of us could muster.  Danny said in one of his races, he decided to just follow someone and watch and observe and was humbled by a lot of learning. For complete results in all the Hawaiian races click on   http://www.ocpaddler.com/

Imua OCC’s top men finished second overall, but first in the spec division. Most of Imua’s teams did very well Saturday and seem to be getting stronger as the seasons pass. Their top men team was steered by non other than Dennis Campbell’s son Brent.  He is about 6’4” slim and well primed by dad to take over as the leader of their long distance teams.  Dennis said at first Brent showed no interest in paddling as a preteen.  Later, as Brent grew Dennis took him out in canoes, including OC2’s.  They entered several races together and did real well.  Now Brent has become quite a steersman and did very well the race Saturday.  So the next generation of kids are suddenly peeking over the gunnels and flexing their muscles.  Congratulations of them and all of the parents who weaned them into paddling.  It’s a great sport with great role models. We are so lucky to be in such a sport. 

My race

Our Senior Master Team lined up in the middle of the pack and somehow cleared the start without touching anyone. We had an excellent start and ran with the big boys for a while, (short while), but eventually fell back allowing four boats to pass us before the first turn. Maybe it was the lull after the sprint or that long patch of bumpy water making it difficult for me to put in many strokes as a steersman. Anyway with youngsters all around us, it didn't take many mistakes on our part for them to gain an advantage.

 On the second leg, we caught the four boats that passed us earlier and exchanged leads. (Yes) Little did we know that the same crews would be racing to nearly a dead heat at the finish. Emotions ran high whenever we took the lead.   Frustration fed desperation when we lost it. Racing is like a chess game, if you are all equal, your mind is the last bastion.  The desire to beat someone fosters creativity…okay we’re getting a little too heavy now.  In plain-spoken language, “We paddled our asses off.”  Anyway the group of three or four canoes stayed together all the way into the harbor, with my team falling to last place and fading.  I yelled, “Hey keep pushing. Anything can happen.”  Then something really did happen and we started catching up.  Two canoes ahead banged each other, exchanged a few nice words and slowed down.  We caught one canoe. Then a small fishing boat tangled with another canoe and suddenly we were in the game again. It was like, "Overtime! Sudden death!"  Rounding the last shoreline it looked like a horse race, with three leaders hugging the fence and us, a long shot galloping on the outside.  With 200 yards to go, snot and spit went flying. 100 yards- four crews abreast.  Aaaand at the wire its...... "Our crew by a nose."  After 10 miles of racing it came down to this. Naturally we were happy, but even then I felt for my competitors, having been there many times.  I congratulate all of them for such a valiant effort.  They were so tough they must have balls of an elephant.  
Mahalo to Hanohano OCC members and SCORA officials for hosting the race.  Next race will be at Santa Barbara's Rig Run.  That's always a good race to attend.  See you all there. 

Mahalo  Al

Didn’t have a camera available to shoot any photos. Hence only two shots thanks to Team California Outrigger.  I needed to put out the news as the next race is nearly upon us.  My apologies to those who were sending photos but didn’t make it on time.  If you any good shots send me one or two. Also any good recap of your race will be greatly appreciated by your fellow readers and I.