By David Simon - The Garden
Island
Published:
Thursday, October 8, 2009
LIHU‘E —A number of Kaua‘i athletes participated in the
2009 Na Wahine O Ke Kai women’s canoe
race on Sept. 27. The 41-mile race from Moloka’i to
O‘ahu, which is considered the world championship of long distance
outrigger canoe racing for women, was won by Team Bradley, with a
time of 5 hours, 25 minutes, 16 seconds. They narrowly topped the
Waikiki Beach Boys I by 1 minute, 22 seconds.
Three of Kaua‘i’s women paddlers, Alana Goo-Frazier, Kristin Foster
of Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club and Noelani Auger, were part of
the Team Bradley championship squad.
In addition to Team Bradley’s first-place win, Kaiola Canoe Club had
teams place 10th and 31st overall with the following Kaua‘i
paddlers: Fran Acoba, Annie Allen, Kanoe Beard, Kathy Braach, Darcy
Gray, Llikea Handley, Kristie Nagao, Tiffany Palama, Suzette Smith,
Taryn Sokolow, Doneen Stokes and Val Wilson.
In addition were Ele Johnson, Kahea Zietz of Namolokama O’ Hanalei
Canoe Club in the 10th overall canoe and Loretta Toth in the
Master’s entry.
Other Kaua‘i women athletes included Team Hawaiian Kanaktion,
which was second in the Masters 50 division even after almost being
eliminated. The escort boat broke down and the crew had to paddle
mid-channel for over an hour without guidance or relief. At the last
minute, the escort boat was able to re-start. The crew included
Laola Aea, Margie Goodno and Cindy Grover.
Kawaikini Canoe Club paddlers included
Stephanie Zufelt and Debi Watson paddling in the Kukuiula entry.
Other paddlers on the Kukuiula team were Melissa
Burovac, Lauren Denton, Annette Fernandez-Ventura, Dana Miyake,
Denise Morrison and Tenley Ueda. Two others, Fran McDonald paddled
for Manu O Ke Kai and Hedy Downing paddled with Puakea Foundation.
Hanalei Canoe Club paddlers included Carrice (no last name
provided), Brenda Rogers, Lou Rubio and Tess Wolfe, who all paddled
in the Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club entry. Also in this canoe
was Sherri Yokotake from Namolokama O’ Hanalei. Additionally, Kim
Stewart, from Hanalei paddled for Niumalu Canoe Club.
The men will be paddling the same course in the world championship
Molokai Hoe, scheduled for Sunday.