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Oahu teens come
together to tackle
Na Wahine O Ke Kai
Ten 18-year-olds have been waiting
to become old enough to cross
the Ka‘iwi Channel
This race is older than they are.
Known as Teen Bradley Oahu, a chop suey crew representing six different canoe clubs will compete in tomorrow's 26th annual Hawaii Modular Space Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
26th Na Wahine O Ke Kai41-mile women's outrigger canoe raceWhen: Tomorrow, 7:30 a.m. start, Hale O Lono, Molokai. Who: Sixty-five crews from Hawaii, California, Canada and Australia. Categories: Koa, Open, Masters 40 and Masters 50. Defending champion: Mooloolaba (Australia), 5:26:37. Course record: Offshore (Calif.), 1995, 5:24:32. Post-race block party: Tomorrow, Dave & Busters parking lot, Ward Centers. $5 donation benefits the Children's Miracle Network and March of Dimes. Information: www.NaWahineOKeKai.com
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Some 18-year-olds see getting to vote for the first time as their coming of age. For these paddlers -- most of them newly graduated from high school -- Na Wahine O Ke Kai is their rite of passage.
"I've been paddling long distance since I was 14 and I've been waiting to do this since then," Keahiakahoe's Faren Salis said. "I think we have a pretty good chance to do well, at least make the top half.
"We did pretty well in our last two races. It's been good to paddle with new people, the ones you've been competing against (during regatta)."
The bulk of the crew -- Kaipo Martinez, Leahi Frias, Kelsi Campos and Kanoe Na'auao-Kipapa -- were part of Hui Lanakila's state champion 18-under crew. Shaina DePrizio paddled for Manu O Ke Kai, Elena Bryant and Maria Kanehailua with Kailua, Jessica Dubrovin with Hui Nalu, and Meleana Carr for Outrigger.
Getting together for practices hasn't been easy with paddlers spread out from Hawaii Kai to Haleiwa. They have managed to get rides and alternate practices at Kahaluu Beach Park -- where Keahiakahoe trains -- and the Ala Wai Canal, home water for Hui Lanakila.
The idea to join forces began early last month at the World Sprint Championships in Hilo. Hui Lanakila and Keahiakahoe paddled together in 18s races.
They then competed together at the Queen Liliuokalani Races in Kona earlier this month, winning their age group. Taking the next step to distance season was easy.
"At Liliu is when they started really talking about distance," said Keahiakahoe coach Stan Dickson. "I told them if they could get it together to let me know. One of the Hui Lanakila coaches (Byron Martinez) wanted to see it happen, too.
"The girls took the idea and ran with it. We have 16s who really wanted to do this, but I guess the age thing is a liability factor. They'll be ready when they're old enough."
Legendary canoe builder Sonny Bradley, who lives just up the road from Kahaluu Beach Park, is giving the crew a new canoe to race. He also lent them a canoe for the Kona races.
"Their water changes are getting better," said Dickson. "We'll see how they do. Each one of them is a very good athlete, very disciplined.
"They have set their standards pretty high. I've told them that we're going to have fun. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
"There's no fear," DePrizio said. "It's going to be fun."
It's also going to be carrying on a tradition for Kanehailua.
"My dad did it and my sister has crossed," she said. "Guess I'm next in line."
This may not be the end of the line for Teen Bradley. There's already discussion about competing in the Hawaiki Nui Va'a in Tahiti next month.
Teen Bradley is one of 65 entries expected to race tomorrow. The number of foreign entries is down to defending champion Mooloolaba of Australia and two from Canada.
Four clubs from California have entered: Pu Pu O Hawaii, Dana Outrigger, Lanakila Outrigger and Kai Elua.
Past championship clubs entered are Kai Opua, Outrigger and Hui Nalu.
For the first time, the awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with a block party that includes entertainment, dancing, food and retail booths. The event, open to the public, begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Dave & Busters parking lot at the Ward Centers.
