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Aloha Paddlers

Well the 9-man season is finally upon us.  We raced our first one yesterday Saturday, 16th August. It was good to see my old teammates from the World Sprints again.  And low and behold the Senior Master and Golden Masters team we were part of in the Worlds had gone back to our original clubs and raced against each.  Dana Point OCC took 1^st and my team Lanakila took 2^nd in a hot 20 miler. But yesterday even though we were opponents once again, we met with a feeling of deeper connection. Somehow our relationship had a meaningful respect for each other.  In fact it seemed like after the race we were eager to talk to each other again.

Talking to Jay Sponagle and several others from Dana, they said, “When you guys passed us our skipper said, ‘that’s your competition.’  We said, ‘Oh shit.’”  After that Dana slowly passed us and so began the cat and mouse game of chase and run away.  In the end Dana was too strong for us.  All I can say are these fearsome words…  “ Wait till next week.” 

Comments from the back of the bus:  Steering in the back, the news of what’s going on around the pack is limited.  My news world extends basically 45 ft to the front of the canoe, my destination and a limited peripheral range around me.  The only thing that matters is the performance of my crew and beating my competition.  Yeah I know it’s pretty gladiatorial. Sounds like an old boxer who has been in the ring too long.  No matter how glorified the media makes it, basically all sports boils down to the same thing, beating your competition.  So what is the point I’m trying to make here?  …I don’t know, kind of went off course. 

Happily my paddle was returned after the race, because I wrote my name and club on it. Thanks you guys.  People are always teasing me about putting my name on everything.  But here’s a perfect example of why I do it.  In fact when my son was a little toddler, I wrote his name and club on his shoulder at a State Regatta.  I figured if he ever got lost someone could return him.  My wife was embarrassed and protested saying it was so nerdish and unnecessary.  I doggedly wrote out the information anyway.  So off he went playing with the other kids until later we heard an announcement on the P.A. system with my son’s name and  “Would the parents please come and claim him at the announcer’s platform.”  I turned to my wife and gave her that knowing look, which she literally hates. Chuckle.  

Meanwhile back at the races.  The ocean was pretty calm when the women went out.  They didn’t have any problems at all.  For the men the wind came up and tickled the waves a little.   It was great for steersmen’s backs.  Our backs had a wonderful time.

Incidently we forgot to congratulate a few of the SCORA men for their performance last week at the World Sprints.  Medalists were Allen Horn with silver and a bronze, Eric Starnes, silver and a bronze, Tony Serafin a bronze and Tim Dougherty with two silvers and a bronze. Good job you guys.  Sorry for not mentioning others as I’m sure there were many.

Brief Results for Dana Point 9-man race.

Open Women

Lanakila  2:43:35

NAC 2:47:14

2:50:24

 Master women

Lanakila 2:55:”46

Imua 2:56:08

Dana 3:10;48

Open Bradley

Oceanside 3:01:22

Marina 3:02:49

Imua 3:03:58

Senior Women

Kahakai 3:07:51

Oceanside 3:11;37

19 women

NAC 3:17:55

Coed

Imua 3:12:41

Oceanside 3:12:58

Nahoa 3:18:58

Masters Coed

Oceanside 3:13:03

OPEN MEN

Lanakila 2:22:18

Dana 2:29:51

Imua 2:32:01

Masters

Team California 2:27:43 (second place over all)

NAC 2:45:50

Kahakai 2:51:06

Hanohano 3:00:57

Bradley

Marina 2:41:03

Dana 2:41:50

Imua 2:43:56

Senior Masters

Dana 2:39:06

Lanakila 2:40:36

Marina 2:48:18

Golden Masters 2:51:44

19 men 3:05:07

Next week we race in Oceanside in a 9-man race.  Oceanside will be hosting a camp-out.  I think, because everyone had so much fun at Avila camping that it might have inspired this camp out. George and Molly is hosting along with their club. I think it’s the best of both worlds; you get to party with your friends and yet not have to drive home, especially the guys from up north.  Bring your instruments. If you don’t like camping, you can rent a motel nearby. 

Mahalo to Dana for hosting the race.  Great job on acquiring all the escort boats.   Also thanks again to all the skippers and officials.   See you all next week at Oceanside. 

Mahalo   Al