The Catalina channel race was held this past weekend.The channel was calm both days for the women across and the men back.The women started at 8:40 am with all crews lined up in as straight a line as they could possibly be, considering the moving swells around them.The women have the best starts.They are so well behaved.The men on the other hand have to be threatened, cajoled and humiliated.All of which literally runs off their backs.After the women’s start, the pack hung together for a while, about…1 minute.Then they broke up into groups according to their hull speed.
Start of women's race
The leaders were Lanakila and NAC with Hanohano third and Lanakila masters 4th.For the next three hours Lanakila and NAC went at it side-by-side head to head exchanging leads.It was very exciting to watch but the tension was too much. NAC Coach Billy Whitford pitted his skill against Lanakila Coach Jill Schooler changing paddlers as the race ebbed and flowed.Often when one team fell back everyone thought it was over, but within a few miles the lead changed again.Each team elected to keep very close to their opponent, gunnel to gunnel.Coach Jill who recently had a baby boy directed her troops from the front of her escort following directly to the side, while Billy did the same.
Coach Jill Schooler Shore directing her troops in a tense race.
Finally around the third hour, men’s coach Danny Ching who was helping coach Jill with escort drops saw no reason to stay as the finish line was drawing near.About five minutes after he left the scene, Lanakila had an unfortunate accident.The fresh skipper attempted to drop off paddlers, but apparently cut in too soon.Barely missing NAC’s canoe the escort got too close and Lanakila’s canoe and crashed head -long into the side of the escort punching a hole in the side.The front of the canoe tore open like a sardine can.The force threw the women forward and there were a few bruises from hitting they legs against the seats ahead of them.Nothing serious.“Whiplash legs.”
Meanwhile they quickly plugged the hole in the escort and threw a trash liner over the front of the canoe, taping the whole mess with Marine Duct tape and rubber bands.It took 10 minutes, but everyone was safe and the boats were made semi-seaworthy again.NAC by now had an insurmountable lead. Later the concerned NAC women offered the Lanakila women their sympathies and hugs.They are great competitors and best friends.
NAC covering the right side in a dual to the finish.
Email from women involved.
This is the story (okay, my version) of how we ended up placing second in the US Paddling Championships 2008:
Our team battled it out for first place for about 18 miles. For over three hours we traded spots with another team, and each paddler change would cause one canoe to sneak in front of the other, over and over. With about 9 miles to go, our canoe was neck-and-neck with the other canoe vying for said first place when we dropped two paddlers in the water for a change. Things happened kind of fast, there was a zig, a zag, some yelling, anyway long story short; our escort boat hit our canoe (or our canoe hit the escort boat, however you want to look at it). When we dislodged our escort boat from the canoe, it had a barrel size hole in its side.Our canoe's front end was smashed, and we had to stop paddling to fix it. No one was hurt; we quickly and expertly (?) wrapped a plastic garbage bag around the front, tied some rubber cording around it, and got going again. We ended up in second place; with third place about 20 minutes behind us...we were stoked just to have finished, considering the mishap! But it was a little disappointing I have to admit. All in all, our team rallied like you wouldn't believe and we had quite a story to tell. Catalina Island was abuzz with the news. Our night was spent retelling the tale about a hundred times! And, yes the hole in the boat got bigger every time we retold it!
A few yards across Lanakila holds the challenger in check.
Anyway, despite all of this season's craziness, and the final race being what it was, I am stoked to be paddling with Lanakila and representing O2H. I think we ended up raising quite a lot of money, more than we did last year, and so....we press on to next season! Thanks to everyone that supported us. Your support brings hope to sarcoma survivors and their family members. You can still donate to our cause- a donation in the name of someone you love goes great as a Christmas gift! www.sarcomaalliance.org/oceanofhope
See you on the water!
Aimee Lanakila Outrigger Ocean of Hope Campaign
Meanwhile several other battles are raging with Marina ahead by a nose followed by another Lanakila and Imua tied.
There has been a little friendly rivalry going on with the Imua masters crew this 9-man season. Lanakila won at Dana, Imua won at Oceanside, and it all came down to Catalina. We battled it out the whole way across, changing leads with nearly every combo change. Also in the mix was the Marina open crew switching leads with both of us, and then Lanakila caught Kai Elua about 5 miles out from Avalon, then they switched crews and kicked it up a notch and took off. In the end it was Kai Elua (4th overall), Lanakila (5th overall, 1st Masters), Marina (6th overall), and Imua (7th overall, 2nd Masters). It was one of the best Catalina crossings Lanakila's 2nd crew has had in several years in terms of close competition, and we really had to work hard to earn our position. Katy (Arnold)
Catalina- More women than men
While the men tried to sleep and rest for their race the next day, they could hear the women outside their windows partying and having a great time and probably wishing the men could join them.That’s the only bad part about racing to Catalina.On the other hand if you were a guy who happened to be lucky enough to race across with the women in the co-ed division, then you can party with the women and the ratio is about 10-1 in your favor.Yahoo.One other note of interest was NAC entered a 19/under girl’s team who did very well finishing 31st out of 56th.They were comprised of 16 thru 19 girls with a few from other clubs.Many of these girls went to the World Sprints in Sacramento and did well.Congratulations to the junior women, parents, and the adult women and coaches.
Adaptive paddlers and leaders. Left to right Mike Gale, Tami Hetke, Tish Litchfield, Letty Litchfield. Front row Barry Mckeown proudly showing off their banner and award.
Adaptive Paddlers
Team Don’t Look Back is a team comprised of Adaptive paddlers.As we have seen at the World Sprints the Adaptive paddler division is more that capable of holding their own.Talking to Barry McKeown the steersman of the team that crossed the channel, he said they were doing fairly well, with a mixed crew of experienced and inexperienced paddlers.As they came up on another canoe ahead of them they made a change and they flipped when someone got out and kicked the canoe over.He said after, “It only got uglier.”That basically killed their chances of catching up. But over-all they did as well as they could in what little training they did.
Barry started as a stroker for Lanikai when he was 14 years old when the club was an upcoming force.He said, “Later, I paddled with Nainoa Thompson, Kala Kukea, Blankenfield and Ackerman.One year we took third in Molokai, we should have taken first except we went too far south.We were so far ahead we couldn’t see second place.I was the shortest guy in Lanikai’s men’s team.I was 6’ 2”.I got in an auto accident hit a bus head on.Woke up from a two-week comma and discovered I lost my legs. I started swimming to stay in shape.I called Bixler who made a mold for me so I could fit in a canoe. Later I had someone add a strap to it." With these adaptations Barry was able to steer his crew in the Catalina race.He did not get out to take a rest like the rest of his crew. The following is an email with more information.
2008 Catalina crossing Adaptive crew. Back row Audrey Wehba, Susie Nemeth, Letty Litchfield, Mike Gale, Sandy Dean, Casey White-assisted logistically. Front row Tish Litchfield, Don Wilson, Tami Hetke and Barry Mckeown.
Hi Al-"Team Don't Look Back"We are a newly forming team providing an opportunity for disabled and non-disabled paddlers to train and compete together. The team founders are Barry McKeown, Letty Litchfield and Bruce Ahlbom from Northern California. Barry is coaching Team Don't Look Back. Barry is a former big wave surfer from Hawaii. He raced outriggers for many years (including Molokai Channel crossings as a member of the Lanikai team) prior to his accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He iron-steered the Team Don't Look Back co-ed crew in this 2008 Catalina Crossing US Championship. Tami Hetke, missing one leg, gave an incredibly strong performance (as usual), including open ocean water changes. It was a great joy for the team to be honored with the perpetual trophy for the Most Inspirational Team! In an effort to get more disabled veterans on the water and involved with the sport and Ohana of Outrigger racing, the founders of Team Don't Look Back have been meeting with the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. They have been invited to put on a series of educational clinics there, with the culmination of the clinics being introduction into an Outrigger canoe on the water. They will also be attending the annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado, where they will part of the educational staff and conduct presentations on Outrigger racing. The team is looking into forming a non-profit organization through which they can seek sponsors.
The team is hoping that next year there will be an Adaptive Paddler Division. The team would like to thank all of those who helped make it possible for them to attend this race, including, but not limited to: Casey and Charlie White, Billy Whitford, Mindy Clark, Cheance Adair, Caren Thompson, Michele Thomas, escort boat skipper and crew Greg Hornby and Deede, Water Change Coach, Roberto, and the Ku'Paa Mau, NAC, Offshore and He'e Nalu clubs. Submitted by: Letty Litchfield/"Team Don't Look Back"
Oblivious to what's going on outside, sleep seems to be more important to this paddler.
Men’s race
At the men’s start, starter Billy Whitford yelled at everyone to stop paddling, because there was one more canoe coming off the shore.Still they paddled forward.Duh. It was incredible.Each canoe would absolutely not let the other get one inch forward, even though they were supposed to wait for the late entry.I finally hollered, “ Hey Billy I’m going to paddle ahead to check the course.I’ll be right back.”I don’t think he heard me.
In the men’s race, the crazy chop from the numerous escort boats were much worse than patterns generated by the sea.At least the ocean will produce fairly predictable wave patterns, but the chop coming off fifty motorboats was absolutely junk.One second you’re steering on the right and the next you’re steering on the left and the right.One has to really be careful of the ama between short chops.
The men's race started with a rush of adrenaline as the escorts roared to life, leaving Catalina to it's sleepy atmosphere once again.
Making a change Lanakila men surge ahead in an effort to stay ahead of Kailua.
We could see the pack leaders head slightly too far north then bend back toward Newport.It looked like a big curve with escort boats dotting the horizon. All one had to do was connect the dots to see what course the leaders were taking.We of course not being in the lead took full advantage and cut straight across.Cool.According to our GPS we saved about a mile and a half.My escort skipper George Bishop first warned me of it when he said I was following the leaders and going too far north.I told him to give me a target.They said, “Aim for that big blue sailboat”, which was running at the correct heading. After that it was like having a personal lead boat right in front us.
Winners of th 2008 Catalina Race. Back row Josh Crayton, Ross Flemer, Ray Shipman, Justin Banfield, Richard Graham. Front row Danny Ching and Chris Conejo. Missing are Tim Hornsby and Morgan House.
Up front Team Quick Silver Lanakila took the lead early in the race and held it.Going too far north, they let Team Kailua Oahu catch up. After making a correction on their heading they soon took over the lead again.Entering the harbor, they had about a few minutes of lead, but extended it two more minutes finishing in a time of 4:05:59.Except for assistant coach Josh Crayton who won it before and owns the speed record, this was everyone’s first Catalina win.Men’s coach Danny Ching said they were really flying at times and with four guys who knew how to steer, they gave their normal steersman Josh a lot of rest.He sustained a back injury last year in the Molokai race and has been nursing his back.However it didn’t seem to hinder him when it counted.Second place Team Kailua’s coach Donovan Leandro did not bring all of his 1st crew guys.He decided to build a group of strong, young, up and coming paddlers. Congratulations to all the men and coaches.
Senior Masters Lanakila Left to right. Chris Harper, Junior Wright, Al Ching, Jerry Marcil, Hector Gomez, Eric Lindberg, Karl Fjorslin, Randy Wise, and Mike McKinney.
My race
My Senior Masters team took third in our division.We had a slow start.That was our excuse. Gee I wonder how many times I heard that. We didn’t have time to warm up our alternates.Senior Masters take a while to warm up.One of the drawbacks of entering three teams is every logistical problem magnifies and by the time you launch all your canoes you’re pressed for time.One thing good about starting slow is the enjoyment of moving up to where you, “Wouldah couldah shouldah been”. We crept up on eight teams like a tortoise, slowly, unglamorously, one foot at a time and passed each one. To the casual observer it was like watching paint dry.But to us it was exciting and my heart was spiking every time we went for a pass. During the race, “The PARTY BOAT,” occasionally visited us. It is a 70 ft boat owned by Jerry Marcil.Coincidentally whenever it came by, we were in a battle with someone.The cheering section on board was deafening. It drove us on.I’d say we had, “ Home field advantage.”Okay, in all fairness every escort boat has its cheering section.It’s just that ours was bigger.We were actually trying to keep up with second place Dana’s Senior Masters, but they took off right from the start and we just could barely see their backsides.It’s gotten so I don’t recognize them by their faces anymore.They’ve beaten us all season except for one race.Wait till next year. Congratulations to the winners Kailua Senior Master who finished way ahead of the rest of our division, also to Marina who took fourth.Good job you guys.Congratulations to my teammates for a wonderful season.
Dennis Campbell and son Brent paddling together for Imua. He was a proud papa.
Coach Joe Bober Imua quoted, "It's not often you see father and son paddling in the Catalina race and finishing in the top 10."
Email stories
We had a great start. I looked around and saw the immediate Bradley contenders- the usual suspects. Imua, Marina, Kahakai, Lanakila. Never discounting the Ka’nai’a women or those youngsters from NAC and whatever unknowns were lurking on the line (I quickly noted and enjoyed that Katy was steering an LOCC Spec boat). Ka’nai’a and the NAC gals weren’t on the line in our area, so I wasn’t too sure how they started.We had Marina with Nancy Dopp at the stern and Imua up there, and then those doggone Kahakaians who I told to stay behind us (obviously they didn’t listen to me) We ran a long time with Kahakai battling a lot as we approached the fog-shrouded island. At times a blessing that we couldn’t see it- then it was where the hell is that island anyway?? It was a great series of battles, and before this we learned the hard way at the 2 previous races that we paddle much better under the heat of battle- as we had to sprint ahead of the Ka’naians in Dana, and fought the life out of ourselves to race a lost battle to the finish with the youngsters from NAC at the Oceanside race. BTW we were told to “bring it on” so I guess we did. In any case, we fought as long as hard as we could against Tarzans crew of Amazon women…? (Don’t ask me- ask Kahakai and Larry what that is all about). And once they pulled ahead of us and we couldn’t reel them in.
I looked over my shoulder and saw another canoe- flagged my chase driver and change coach to find out who they were- “coed” they assured me. I did that 2 more times all the time while wondering where the heck is that red LOCC Bradley?Now as we slumped a little without a battle in the doldrums of the channel- all the strange things that happen to the steersman, to me, when I don’t get out of the canoe, started to happen… I was squirmy, I was hungry, I was sickly, I was worthless, I was achy, I was old, I, I, I.At that time I figured I was no good to the team and they really needed to hoist my ass out of the canoe and press on without me. I held off for a little while longer and then looked over my left shoulder… marching up out of god-knows-where was a boat. I signaled to the change coach, sure enough, my fears were confirmed. I yelled at, not to, but at, my crew, “Forget about what is ahead of us!!! We have to fight as hard as we can right now to stay ahead of what is behind us- do you hear me?”
I knew we had 4th at this time, I told seat 5 when she got out to tell our coach to keep us pumped up, we had to fight the unseen contender lurking behind us, marching up on us, and we had to do it for another 2 + miles, not the average at home in the bay 2 miles, but the end of a 24 mile long hard paddle 2 miles. They needed every bit of encouragement they could get.I still had to get out- I was running on empty- not helping- So Carrie, with barely any rest on her change, hopped into 6 for me so I could yell at them from the chase boat now! That casino still seemed so far, that Bradley still walking up. I asked the gals if they could make it in- not the resounding “Hell yes!” I had hoped for came forth, so I assessed the situation and made a few quick decisions to relieve some of the gals for a spell.
Kim Lanie, Ross Flemer and Molly Bishop displaying their personal technique to anyone who cares to listen.
Not sure if that was good or bad as our stop-dead-in-the-water changes may give Lanakila the spark they needed to ignite their engines. In any case, we fuddled around and after a brief respite I found myself in the water waving at the stern to pick me up for seat 5! “What” I asked myself as I treaded water, “am I doing?”Seat 5! I yell again- o lord help me get my tired old butt into that canoe. Seated now in 5 I pick up the paddle to take a stroke and my hands are burning from the water soaked blisters – and someone calls a hike-ho and I’m paddling on the right…hey!!! I’m paddling on the right?!?!? Hey! This is great! (Delirium had set in) I can paddle on the right and not have to worry about controlling the ama! Weeeeeeeeee.
Since the body can only feel pain in one place at one time…the pain in my hands was overpowered by my shoulders seizing up- but I had to pull it together so that we could stay just enough ahead of Lanakila to take the tile. That’s all… just don’t make us sprint to the buoy!All we had to do was paddle hard enough for 5 more minutes till the horn blast- that’s all. Don’t look up- don’t look back- just keep a steady eye on the top hand of seat one and go- gogo.And then we finished!
And we did it! We brought home the 4th place tile against a very tough and determined crew of Lanakila women- it was a great day for me, for San Diego Outrigger.
Thanks Al, for asking about my race. I’m very proud of my team: Simine, Shannon, Susan, Heather, Thuy, Carrie, Mel, and Julia.
Cheance (Adair)
Aloha Al.Here’s a short story on our race the Oceanside Golden guys. Despite only 2 other golden teams we had a great battle all the way across. We took the lead early, held it up till about 26 miles in by about 12 boat lengths. On a change, a blade was kicked out of the canoe and 2 guys reached for it and sure enough we hulied! As we bailed Hokuloa passed us and took the lead. So we got it together, set up a change for our final 6 guys about 1 mile outside the buoy. We messed up THAT change and didn't get one guy switched out. Then we did a one-man change, it went well except then HE didn't have a blade! We handed him our spare behind # 6 and took off into a raging sprint to catch Hokuloa, we caught them inside the beginning of the harbor and opened up about a 10-boat lead on them to win it.We had them beat the first time now had to regain our lead and charge the harbor run in. It was a great finish and like every year another exciting crossing. It goes to show, when you think you’re in control, anything can happen and change. Thought you might like to hear about our run. Congratulations on your year and impressive racing. Thanks also for all you do for our sport.
Kevin McCauley
Oceanside Outrigger
14 yr old Cora Wolfe steering and paddling her third Catalina channel crossing. Her proud mother Juli was in the winning crew in the same race. "You go girl."
Hi, Al –I don't usually contribute, not for any particular reason, but I would like to comment on two interesting finishes on the first day. I was working the finish line with Mike Roberts. My first comment is that the NAC women looked almost disappointed that they won the race over Lanakila due to an equipment mishap. According to Billy, the NAC gals were relishing the dogfight they were in with your gals the whole way up until the collision and were looking forward to a "fight to the finish". The other comment is that back in fourteenth place came Kahakai's women's Bradley crew who crossed the line in second place in that division. When I shouted down to them that they had come in second, a truly admirable finish after a season of thirds and fourths, their first look was shock and disbelief until, a few moments later, it sunk in, and the look of excitement on their faces was priceless.
Aloha. Jeff (Kiesel)
Talking to Corinne of Nahoa, she said they were about to tow their women’s canoe back to Newport after the race Saturday. A member of NAC asked them if they could do them a favor and tow their canoe back too. It was agreed and the deal was struck.Just before leaving someone from NAC told them something was wrong with the ama.With little thought they left Catalina.After a while NAC’s ama started sinking.That’s when they discovered a crack and water had filled it till it was sinking and flooding the canoe too. They tried to flip it over to bail it, but couldn’t lift the weight of the ama.Finally the skipper ended up towing both canoes, with one submerged at 5 mph, the rest of the way across.They didn’t get back till 9:45 pm.Then the paddlers had to carry it up on the beach.This, after racing all day in the channel.Whew. I think NAC owes Nahoa a big thank you.
Thanks to all those who sent in photos and emails.It’s all about you.
End of the season for most
Thanks for a wonderful six-man season.Many of us will not be going to Molokai, while others will.It was fun all summer and we had some great stories, races and parties.Mahalo to all the paddlers, coaches, husbands and wives for contributing your time and effort.Also thanks to the professional cameramen, who follow and record our sport, please support them and buy your photos on line from them.
