Outrigger gets first regatta win since '04

The club wins 15 races and scores 117 points in OHCRA's only surf race on the schedule

Waves or no waves, the Outrigger Canoe Club's performance seems to swell to a higher level in the annual Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Regatta each Fourth of July.

In the 64th edition yesterday of the longest-running and only surf race in the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, host Outrigger scored a resounding victory with 117 points and a regatta-high 15 race wins.

Unlike the previous three years, when there were plenty of waves to provide for thrilling rides -- and spectacular collisions -- only tiny bumps were rolling through Waikiki Beach yesterday and the 39 individual races ran without major incidents.

But Outrigger still managed to pick up its first regatta win since the 2004 Macfarlane by amassing the highest number of points and race victories of any club so far this season.

Though the regatta does not count toward state championship qualification, it's a highlight for all OHCRA paddlers.

This race "is special, it's part of our Outrigger heritage. This is where our club started, on this beach, back in 1908," Outrigger canoe chairwoman Jennifer Bossert said. "The spirit has always been there for this race. Everyone always gets pumped up and works really hard to make this day special for Outrigger ... (even though) we've been in a rebuilding mode for the last 24 months."

Defending champion Lanikai finished in second place behind Outrigger in the AA division (18-plus crews entered) with 86 points, while Kailua took third with 72.

"As a club, they're so talented," said Lanikai head coach Kalani Irvine of Outrigger. "They put it together today -- good for them -- but we'll see them in two weeks" at the next regatta.

The scores were much closer at the approximate midpoint of the Macfarlane, as Outrigger had 48 points, Kailua 41 and Lanikai 36 through 19 events.

Outrigger scored a long string of wins from that point, taking three of the eight prestigious open events and 10 of the last 20 races overall.

Among those, were wins in the sophomore men's, junior women's, junior men's, women 60 and men 55 races.

"This is big, it means a lot to us," said Outrigger's sophomore men's paddler Byron Ho. "We had some great performances, a great regatta for us. I don't know if it's kinda a home-court thing, because we do have the benefit of being (based) on Waikiki and we have the surf ... (but) it's a lot of luck, too."

Perhaps the only blemish for Outrigger was that it did not win the senior men's or senior women's races -- the blue-ribbon events for the day.

As always, the winners of these races got to drink champagne out of silver memorial trophy cups after their victories. For the first time, the honor went to Hui Lanakila for the women, while Lanikai's men successfully defended their title for a second straight win.

The Hui Lanakila senior women's crew finished their 1 1/2-mile race in 11 minutes and 51.78 seconds, and picked up their club's lone victory at the regatta.

With about a three-boat advantage over second-place Outrigger (12:23.55) at the 1-mile turn, Hui Lanakila was able to build its lead and hold on to the win after catching a small bump during the last quarter-mile.

Hui Lanakila finished with 22 total points and was the runner-up in the A division (17-fewer crews entered) for smaller clubs, which was won by Keahiakahoe with 25 points.

"We've really come around the last few years because we have a solid core of girls," said Hui Lanakila senior crewmember Jane McKee, who was part of her club's team that was leading this race last year until a crash with another canoe at the 1-mile turn prevented them from finishing. "The more you paddle together the easier it gets, and this year we're having an unreal year. And this is one of our most favorite races, because I don't care who you are, there are no guarantees you're going to win because of the variables."

McKee's other crewmembers were Jessie Eames, Seraphina Eames, Gail Grabowsky, Arlene Holzman and steersman Scott Hendricks. (Clubs are able to use an open steersman in all Macfarlane races because of the surf.)

Added Grabowsky: "There are way more ways to lose this race than to win it."

In a senior men's race that had the top three finishers about even two-thirds of the way through the 1 1/2-mile course, Lanikai was able to execute the best turn at the 1-mile buoy near shore and catch a small swell over the last quarter-mile to win in 10:47.98.

Hui Lanakila (10:54.03) finished second, and Outrigger (11:02.77) third.

Lanikai's winning crewmembers were Kekoa Bruhn, Zane Chess, Aaron Creps, John Foti, George Leslie and Jim Foti.

Some of the other crews who celebrated wins with memorial trophies included: Lanikai's boys 18, Kailua's novice B men and Waikiki Surf's girls 12.

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PADDLING

Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta

At Waikiki Beach

TEAM STANDINGS

Division AA--1. Outrigger, 117. 2. Lanikai, 86; 3. Kailua, 72; 4. Hui Nalu, 27; 5. Healani, 18.

Division A--1. Keahiakahoe, 25; 2. Hui Lanakila, 22; 3. Anuenue, 18; 4. Leeward Kai, 16; 5. New Hope, 9; 6. (tie) Waikiki Surf Club and Waimanalo, 8; 8. Honolulu, 2; 9. (tie) Kai Oni, Keola O Ke Kai, and Puuloa, 1. 12. Makaha, 0.

BOYS

12-and-under--1. Kailua (Kai Singlehurst, Justin Cornair, Kaleo Poole, Michael Dowsett, Nai'a Singlehurst, Keli Heen), 1:45.06; 2. Waimanalo, 1:45.44; 3. Lanikai, 1:46.24; 4. Hui Nalu, 1:46.77.

13--1. Leeward Kai (Dayne Van Gieson, Kainoa Yunson, William Kaio, Daniel Rzonca, Dyson Hoohuli, Ryan Van Gieson), 1:37.40; 2. Keahiakahoe, 1:37.73; 3. Waikiki Surf, 1:38.21; 4. Kailua, 1:49.63.

14--1. Kailua (Chas Bautista, Kupu Henderson, Kupono Kanehailua, Jackson Stogner, Kealii Paaoao, Jim Mahoe Kawai), 1:40.65; 2. Outrigger, 1:40.92; 3. Lanikai, 1:44.68; 4. Keola O Ke Kai, 2:02.46..

15--1. Leeward Kai (Kamuela Yunson, Caizian Nauka, Kevin Ki'ili, Keli'i Adams, Casey Cullen, Keola Wright), 3:52.34; 2. Kailua, 3:56.37; 3. Outrigger, 3:56.95; 4. Lanikai, 4:10.12.

16--1. Outrigger (Simeon Ke Paloma, Ryan Harrison, Reece Haine, Joshua Figueira, Todd Bradley, Robert Beck), 3:35.83; 2. Lanikai, 3:46.17; 3. Leeward Kai, 3:46.58; 4. Healani, 3:49.94.

18--1. Lanikai (Christopher Beuret, Ryan Jones, Kirk Mueller, Mathew Nelms, Anthony Burris, Kaakon Smith); 2. Keahiakahoe; 3. Outrigger; 4. Hui Nalu, times unavailable.

GIRLS

12--1. Waikiki Surf (Kamanao Baligad, Haunani Carvalho, Kalena Kelii-Espindol, Uilani Perry, Kaleihiwa Naauao, Ron Lee), 1:47.60; 2. Lanikai, 1:49.31; 3. Outrigger, 1:49.82; 4. Leeward Kai, 1:50.50.

13--1. Outrigger (Molly McMahon, Leilani Doktor, Shayla Hixson, Juliana Behrens, Annabel Bowler, Zachary Payne), 1:43.37; 2. Kailua, 1:44.02; 3. Waimanalo, 1:46.16; 4. Puuloa, 1:46.61.

14--1. Outrigger (Jasmine Daniel, Macy McMahon, Tia Haworth, Lindsey Wilbur, Malia Shimmelfenning, Jimmy Austin), 1:55.77; 2. Keahiakahoe, 1:56.28; 3. Anuenue, 1:57.80; 4. Lanikai, 1:58.63.

15--1. Kailua (Mazy Iwaki, Kristen Kaiehane, Kanoe Kalama-Malani, Lindsey Shannon, Lauren Au, Pat Von), 4:06.51; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:16.57; 3. Outrigger, 4:17.89; 4. Anuenue, 4:22.31.

16--1. Kailua (Haaheo Sai, Cortney Singlehurst, Kikolani Martinez, Shivanni Stephenson, Brittani Morse, Benny Quitevis), 4:15.67; 2. Healani, 4:15.88; 3. Outrigger, time unavailable; 4. Leeward Kai, 4:17.46.

18--1. Outrigger (Elise Anderson, Robin Beck, Leigh Cullinan, Jean Cullinan, Linnea Schuster, Karel Tresnak), 4:03.75; 2. Healani, 4:15.72; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:15.72; 4. Kailua, 4:16.04.

MEN

Novice A--1. Outrigger (Scott Gamble, Erik Deryke, Michael Fine, David Fan, Kulani Jones, Jim Beaton), 7:34.74; 2. Hui Nalu, 7:35.04; 3. Honolulu, 7:48.64; 4. Kailua, 8:01.40.

Novice B--1. Kailua (Eroc Tincher, Brian Bagunolo, Cody Acura, Daijo Kaneshiro, Cana Day), 3:46.30; 2. Outrigger, 3:59.17; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:00.71; 4. Kai Oni, 4:03.65.

Freshmen--1. Lanikai (Justin Akana, Jeff Caseber, Matt Crowley, Nahina Leeloy, Kahaku Aspelund, Zane Chess), 7:23.05; 2. Hui Nalu, time unavailable; 3. Kailua, time unavailable; 4. Hui Lanakila, time unavailable.

Sophomore--1. Outrigger (Byron Ho, Mark Cluney, John Wacker, Mike Beyer, David Harbottle, Karel Tresnak), 6:49.50; 2. Hui Lanakila, 7:01.70; 3. Kailua, 7:02.05; 4. Lanikai, 7:13.06.

Junior--1. Outrigger (Christopher Hochuli, David Buck, Jeff Brown, Tucker Siegfried, Gunner Schall, Zachary Payne), 7:15.29; 2. Hui Nalu, 7:17.41; 3. Lanikai, 7:26.86; 4. Anuenue, 7:37.64.

Senior--1. Lanikai (Kekoa Bruhn, Zane Chess, Aaron Creps, John Foti, George Leslie, Jim Foti), 10:47.98; 2. Hui Lanakila, 10:54.03; 3. Outrigger, 11:02.77; 4. Kailua, 11:21.08.

Junior masters--1. Outrigger (Karl Heyer, Robert Harrison III, Walter Guild, Marc Haine, Bruce Black, Jim Beaton), 7:42.36; 2. Hui Lanakila, 7:44.19; 3. Hui Nalu, 7:46.92; 4. Kailua, 7:57.67.

Masters--1. Outrigger (Murray Hixson, Barnaby Robinson, Jim Iams, John Finney, Bill Meheula, Karel Tresnak), 3:37.71; 2. Lanikai, 3:49.44; 3. New Hope, 3:52.23; 4. Keahiakahoe, 3:56.06.

Senior masters--1. Outrigger (Ken Bailey, Thomas Arnott, William Mowat, Douglas Bechert, Chris Crabb, Billy Balding), 3:45.41; 2. Lanikai, 3:48.97; 3. Waimanalo, 3:51.52; 4. New Hope, 3:56.09.

Golden masters--1. Lanikai (Fred Hemmings, George Medeiros, William Monahan, Tay Perry, Shaka Madali, William Watson), 4:00.98; 2. Hui Lanakila, 4:01.71; 3. Anuenue, 4:02.90; 4. New Hope, 4:05.46.

Open 4--1. Lanikai (Ethan Creps, Colin Garrett, Kalei Macomber, Nahina Leeloy), 4:01.96; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:05.03; 3. Outrigger, 4:08.24; 4. Kailua, 4:13.74.

WOMEN

Novice A--1. Kailua (Mele Coelho, Dricka Brown, Gina Uehara, Lisa Hyde, Jayte Brock, Mike Willett), 4:11.86; 2. Outrigger, 4:15.22; 3. Lanikai, 4:18.79; 4. Healani, 4:26.47.

Novice B--1. New Hope (Pualani Domingo, Rooke Keliipuleole, Jessica Robins, Leimomi Sing, Quyen Vego, Kanani Williams), 1:45.07; 2. Lanikai, 1:45.38; 3. Healani, 1:46.53; 4. Outrigger, 1:59.56.

Freshmen--1. Lanikai (Jory Kim, Amber Kuhlmann, Kimberly Morris, Nicole Radford, Kimberly Tice, John Foti), 8:28.69; 2. Outrigger, 8:38.30; 3. Kailua, 8:40.68; 4. Healani, 8:45.68.

Sophomore--1. Kailua (Tina Hardley, Drae Kahale-Clemens, Shannon Van Gieson, Dale Omohundro, Angela Britten, Pat Von), 8:09.42; 2. Outrigger, 8:09.70; 3. Hui Nalu, 8:12.91; 4. Hui Lanakila, 8:18.91.

Junior--1. Outrigger (Genie Kincaid, Diana Allen, Laurie Lawson, Lisa Livingston, Kristin Lee, Jim Beaton), 7:53.24; 2. Hui Lanakila, 8:03.09; 3. Healani, 8:16.64; 4. Lanikai, 8:38.44.

Senior--1. Hui Lanakila (Jessie Eames, Seraphina Eames, Jane McKee, Gail Grabowsky, Arlene Holzman, Scot Hendricks), 11:51.78; 2. Outrigger, 12:23.55; 3. Hui Nalu, 12:47.43; 4. Lanikai, 13:01.04.

Junior masters--1. Outrigger (Traci Phillips, Jennifer Bossert, Donna Kahakui, Tiare Richert-Finney, Lisa Irish, Jimmy Austin), 8:31.21; 2. Hui Lanakila, 8:50.92; 3. Lanikai, 8:54.12; 4. Kailua, 9:00.47.

Masters--1. Outrigger (Lori McCarney, Darcy Iams, Maile Ostrem, Alice Lunt, Wendy Wichman, Walter Guild), 4:02.11; 2. Lanikai, 4:03.60; 3. Anuenue, 4:04.04; 4. Kailua, 4:04.82.

Senior masters--1. Lanikai (Judy Allen, Mauliola Aspelund, Leina'ala Davis, Pamela Monahan, Joy Schoenecker, Michael Smith), 4:27.55; 2. Outrigger, 4:46.23; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:51.90; 4. Waimanalo, 5:11.28.

Golden masters--1. Outrigger (Susan Heitzman, Ann Bowen, Carol Cook, Sandra Simons, Gerri Pedesky, Marc Haine), 4:00.71; 2. Kailua, 4:24.82; 3. Anuenue, 4:25.91; 4. Lanikai, 4:58.10.

Open 4--1. Kailua (Kristen Brooks, Kristen Mailheau, Leyla Samimi, Kelii Heen), 4:28.26; 2. Outrigger, 4:28.77; 3. Lanikai, 4:29.25; 4. Healani, 4:30.81.

MIXED

12--1. Anuenue (Loyalson Kaleiohi, Kanoa Kaleoaloha, Jaymi Judd, Kamalolo Koanui-Kong, Mahealani Napoleon, Darryn Napoleon), 1:41.62; 2. Lanikai, 1:41.90; 3. Leeward Kai, 1:44.33; 4. Keahiakahoe, 1:46.08.

Open--1. Kailua (Roger Bradley, Jesse Machado, Naiche Kennedy, Corrie Rimell, Lisa Barney, Kristi Kahale), 3:59.98; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:00.32; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:00.70; 4. Lanikai, 4:01.06.

Novice B--1. Keahiakahoe (Mark Mayo, Walter Enos, Mita Tuisavura, Lovely Lanvao, Leilani Lealaimatafao, Ty Fu), 1:44.70; 2. Lanikai, 1:48.11; 3. Healani, 1:49.94; 4. Kailua, 2:02.83.

Junior masters--1. Lanikai (Cindi Chess, Torrey Goodman, Kelly Smith, Kalani Irvine, Derek Leeloy, Zane Chess), 4:08.14; 2. Outrigger, 4:11.88; 3. Kailua, 4:15.68; 4. Waikiki Surf, 4:17.32.

Senior masters--1. Outrigger (Maureen Kilcoyne, Barbara Bryan, Charles Heitzman, George Wessberg, Raynard Suganuma, Kristin Haine), 4:11.16; 2. Anuenue, 4:11.63; 3. Kailua, 4:12.97; 4. Hui Nalu, 4:14.64.

Special event--1. Kai Oni (crew names unavailable), 1:46.95; 2. Leeward Kai, 1:47.77; 3. Keahiakahoe, 1:48.16; 4. Outrigger, 1:51.54.