Team Australia returns to defend its title at this week's ninth Hawaiian International Ocean Challenge, a series of competitions between the top lifeguards from around the world. Team Australia to defend
Ocean Challenge titleTeams from Hawaii, California, Canada, Florida, Japan, New Zealand and Australia start the two-day event Thursday at Makapuu Beach with a 3.4-mile paddleboard race, a 4.3-mile surfski race, a surf rescue and swim relay. On Friday, there are races in canoes, paddleboards, beach flags and an ocean medley relay at Waikiki Beach starting at 10 a.m.
Team Hawaii is looking to better its fourth-place finish from last year. The team is comprised of veterans Mark Cunningham (captain), Glenn Wachtel, Mike Trisler, Guy Pere, Brendan Shea and Dolan Eversole, with newcomers Wyatt Jones and Megan Harrington.
The Hawaiian OceanFest is being held in conjunction with the lifeguard competition. Tomorrow, the Waikiki Open Ocean Challenge is at 1 p.m. at Waikiki Beach with men and women competing in their choice of five events -- 500-meter swim, 1-mile paddleboard, 2-mile surfski, run-swim-run and ocean medley -- for $1,500.
On Saturday, the $7,000 Waikiki King's Race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Waikiki Beach, a 6-mile endurance race in four disciplines. At noon Saturday is the Billabong Air Surfing Invitational at noon.
Also at noon Saturday is the Diamond Head Sprints, a 12-mile one-man outrigger canoe races off Kaimana Beach. The T&C Surf Keiki Surfing Championship for Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. at Kuhio Beach.
For information, call Team Unlimited at 521-4322.
LOKAHI WINS: Lokahi Canoe Club scored 60 points to win its second consecutive Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a regatta Sunday at Haleiwa Beach Park.
Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i was second with 47 points in the AA Division (16 or more crews) while Waikiki Yacht Club was third with 39.
Koa Kai won the A Division (15 or less crews) with 45 points at the Manu O Ke Kai-sponsored regatta. Kaneohe was second with 39 and Waikiki Beach Boys third with 29.
Hui Wa'a's next event is Sunday's Lokahi Regatta at Keehi Lagoon starting at 8:30 a.m.
JASPER SAILING CANOE WINNER: Tui Tonga, captained by Jimmy Jasper of Kauai, finished first in Sunday's Aston Molokai North Shore Challenge sailing canoe race.
The Tui Tonga took 9 hours and 46 minutes to sail from Fleming Beach on Maui to Waikiki Beach. Nalu, captained by Marvine Otsuji of Kauai, placed second some 13 minutes later.
Thirteen sailing canoes completed the course.
HURRICANES LOSE: The Louisiana Bayou Beast outscored the visiting Honolulu Hurricanes, 69-59, in a Professional Indoor Football League game last Saturday.
Louisiana's Melvin Hill passed for four touchdowns, three to Michael Lewis.
GOLF BENEFIT: St. Michaels School in Waialua will hold a benefit golf tournament Friday at the Waikele Course. The format is a three-person Florida scramble.
The cost is $110 per person, $315 per team registering together. For information, call 487-2885 or 637-7772 (ext. 200).
MAUNALOA CLASSIC: The 1998 Maunaloa Cowhorse Classic, which showcases the skills of rider and horse working in unison, will be held Friday and Saturday at Molokai Ranch.
The fourth annual event features world-class competitors from the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. The Classic begins at 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday. The event is free.