Well the six-man season is over and here we are in the lull before the one-man season. Thinking back about the Molokai race, the channel was calm and the Tahitians were in their element. Sweeping first, second and third is incredibly difficult no matter what the weather. It was dejavu all over again. I think it was 1976 that they displayed such force in numbers. While talking to Eric Philips of Island paddler and Sue Lalane of Polynesian Paddling Products they mentioned that Lanikai uses 9 ¼’’ blades. So, when Bobby Puakea and wife Pat visited me last week, I had to ask him to confirm. He said, “Lanikai uses a 9 ¼” …9 ½”. Then we were curious about what the Tahitians used.
Interestingly we conducted several tests over the course of a one-man season. Four tests were done with Danny Ching using a different size blade in successive races. The average test was an hour to hour and a half. The results were mixed, since we could not switch paddles in the middle of the race and each was not the same distance. However, in a five hour Catalina relay race Danny and his partner Dan Barbosa both started with a 9 ¼” blade and averaged a little more than 8.5 knots for an hour. After one hour the average speed began to drop by a half knot, accompanied by the onset of shoulder pain. Switching to a smaller 9” blade, both paddler’s speed went up by more than a half-knot for the next hour, but slowly began to drop. At three and a half hours, they switched to 8 ¾” and both paddler’s speed went up by almost a half knot. At four hours fatigue took over and they could not change speed.
Using three sizes, 9 ¼, 9 and 8 ¾, we found that with the larger blades, two things happened. First the acceleration was good only for about an hour, then the speed slowly dropped. Switching to slightly smaller blades the speed went up, also only for an hour. After four hours, switching sizes didn’t matter.
What we did not test were the effects stroke rate as compared to size of blade. We suspect blade sizes are like shoes, which will tend to regulate your rate to where you can handle it. Some teams are extremely strong with great endurance and can use larger blades. Big blades pull more water, but I always suspect whois doing the pulling? If you plant your blade cleanly, start up front, without cavitating and maintain race pace through out, you should do the best you can for your condition and your strength.
Starting Wednesday November 1st to 3rd, the first leg of the three-day event begins on the island of Huahini to the island of Raiatea, an estimated 4 hrs 15 min. (winning time). The second day it goes from Raiatea to Tahaa an estimated 3 hr race (winning time), with the women joining in on a separate course. The third day the course goes from Tahaa to Bora Bora in the final leg, in an estimated winning time of five hours. In what seems like the mother of ocean marathons, Hawaii has sent a team to the Havaiki Nui Race, which has always been won by the Tahitians. The 9- member team includes Andy Penny, Danny Ching of California, Karel Tresnak, Manny Kulukulualani, Mike Judd, Thibert Lussiaa, Tim Twigg-Smith, Kekoa Cramer and Kai Bartlett
Team Hawaii landed in Tahiti a few days ago and has been preparing for the race, gathering their equipment, checking in the hotel and practicing in their assigned canoe. Basically their practices have been short and intense and everyone seems to agree that the they are running fast. The canoes all weigh 300 lbs minimum. When asked about their maximum length, the answer was not available. T-Bear (Thibert Lussiaa) has been taking a lot of photos and should come back with some good ones. When asked about the size of the Tahitian’s paddles, the answer was, “The Tahitian’s use huge paddles. They look like steering paddles. They are a little heavy and they are all double bends.” Mmmm……..and there you go folks, straight from the horses mouth. Well so much for our test results. Hopefully we can record what we have and gather more information. We will find out a little more about the Havaiki Nui news as the days go on. Mahalo AL
November 1, 2006
Just got a report that Team Hawaii finished second overall. No other report. The other day Manny Kulukulualani wasn't feeling too good and they were scheduling the team around to present their best possibilities. Guess he's doing fine now. This being the first of three legs, they started this morning from the island of Huahini to the island of Raiatea. Yesterday some of the guys were saying that this was possibly the fastest they have ever felt in a six man canoe. Today according to the results they finished 5 minutes behind first place Shell and 1 minute in front of third place Vairao. More to come. Congratulations.
In an awesome display of power and endurance the team of Shell Va'a, winner of the last Molokai race showed their talent again. Running away from the field and winning by five minutes over Team Hawaii. Shell Va'a holds the record for the Molokai race and looked every bit the part of a Champion. Still, Team Hawaii is happy and well. They finished second today in the second leg of the Havaiki Nui race. Starting this morning at 7:00 a.m. they raced for about 3 ½ hrs. in a course fraught with currents and log jams. Taking a bad course from the start put them back a little. Prior to that, they got into a logjam right at the start and had to untangle their way out. Currents were unpredictable and the Tahitians were well versed on the direction of the currents. A couple of times Team Hawaii felt the current against them as they struggled to keep up. But their canoe performed well in the flat water. The surf was up and the weather seemed almost like a good day in Hawaii. Steersman Karel Tresnak had a difficult time dropping in on swells as the canoe did not respond like the Hawaiian designs that surfed well. Basically it was a flat water racing hull and felt a little sticky as they pushed hard for swells. All in all the crew performed very well as Thibert stroked, Andy Penny was #2, Mike Judd #3, Kai Bartlett #4, Danny Ching #5 and Karel Tresnak steered.
The ocean was a mad house with about 20 motorboats to one canoe. "There were so many motor boats it was crazy," said one of the team members. As the canoes raced, the motorboats followed, helicopters hovered overhead and people screamed at their favorite teams. It was madhouse on the water.
At the finish, Team Hawaii was presented a check for $1200.00 and an award. We were informed that there is another team from Hawaii. My apologies for not mentioning them. If you have any information about them please pass it to acelocc@aol.com We would like the name of the team and the team members. Mahalo Al
Day 2 report
So you think you have problems?
Today a report from a source in Tahiti with due respect to the translation, mentioned Team Hawaii's second place finish yesterday. Although Team Hawaii may have had their problems, Team OPT and Team Erai, had problems of their own too. Apparently Team OPT had an injured paddler somewhere along the race, which seriously hurt their chances at doing well. Meanwhile Team Erai, who finished second in Molokai had a, “Broken canoe” and was the last team to leave Huahine 30 minutes after all other teams had left. In spite of all that, Team Erai, showed incredible desire and fortitude and finished 11th place. Congratulations to both teams. Quote from Jean-francois, “Today, it's a short stage, about 27 km, but very intensive. It's a straight line, so they don't have to choose a (cap?), it's all about strength. If Team Hawaii will finish in top 3, so we will have to admit that they are very strong.” For more information about the race, please click on www.tahitipresse.pf The photos are in English (just kidding), but the words are in French. For those of you who can read French, now is your time to bone up.
Got an email requesting information about Team Bradley, specifically asking about the adventures of Jessica Eames, Pauahi and Tina from Hui Lanakila. Saw our friend Luke Evslin in one of the team photos, so if anyone has information on these crews please email us. acelocc@aol.com
Mahalo Al
End of Day two
Second stage The winner of today’s second stage is Team OPT in a time of 01:57:04. Coming in second place was Shell Va’a in a time of 01:58:04 and in third place was Team OPT 01:59:47. Congratulations to all the winners. Just got a call from Tahiti. Well, it looks like Team Hawaii is out of it. They finished in 25th place and out of the money, but not for lack of effort. Timmy Twigg-Smith who sat in seat #5 said as the race started, he changed sides four times, when suddenly the seat broke and fell apart on the left side. He then basically paddled the entire race in the high kneel position, which put them at a big disadvantage. The crew was very disappointed and concerned, because yesterday the seat was solid as a rock, without a problem. Immediately after the race, the crew inspected the seat and it looked like someone had stomped on it before the race. The force had cracked the support, breaking the wood downward and exposing some screws under it. The crew spent about four hours repairing the seat after the race. Understandingly they were disappointed at what happened; not only of the incident today, but yesterday when they discovered that someone had urinated in their boat before the race. However being without a support group, all they can do is suck it up, line up tomorrow and race with determination. Hopefully things will go better on the last day. The crew lineup today was Andy Penny stroking, Mike Judd #2, Thibert Lussiaa #3, Kekoa Cramer #4, Timmy Twigg-Smith #5, Manny Kulukukualani #6. Tomorrow the lineup will be, Timmy Twigg-Smith stroking, Andy Penny #2, Mike Judd #3, Kai Bartlett #4, Danny Ching #5, Karel Trasnak steering. The results for today’s second stage
1 team opt 01:57:04 1
2 shell va'a 01:58:04
3 team opt 01:59:47
4 e'rai 02:00:18
5 tamarii vairao 02:01:57
6 fare ara 02:02:16
7 fare rua va'a 02:02:54
8 piroguier tahuareva no tautira 02:03:07
9 team raiatea 02:03:18
10 tereva hoe 02:03:33
11 mahina va'a 02:03:38
12 arue 02:04:19
13 manahe'e va'a team 02:04:23
14 faanui 02:05:00
15 pirae va'a 02:05:05
16 a.s tahiti perles 02:05:38
17 rautere 02:05:45
18 a.s banque de tahiti v'a 02:06:14
19 beachcomber va'a 02:06:55
20 mataiea va'a 02:07:01
In an email from Jean-francois of Tahiti he writes;
Today, team OPT has won the race and Shell Va'a is second, third is team OPT 2.
I don't know the results for Team Hawaii, but they are not in the top 10.
The ocean was calm, but with about 700 boats in the lagoon, you can imagine the washing machine.
Women's results:
1- Vénus Va'a
2- Team Bradley (about 1kms far behind vénus)
3- Punaauia va'a
4- Jeune de afarerii
5- Erai.
End of day three
Stage three. Congratulations to Shell Va’a the winners of stage three.
The report from Tahiti is 1st place- Shell Va’a, 2nd place- Era’i, 3rd place-OPT, 4th place-Team Hawaii. Congratulations to all the teams.
The report from the crew of Team Hawaii is that it was the hardest race they ever did. Today’s crew was made up of stroker Kai Bartlett, #2 Andy Penny, who did three days in a row, #3 Mike Judd, who did three days in a row, #4 Timmy Twigg-Smith who was on his second consecutive day, #5 Danny Ching who did day one and day three, steering Karel Tresnak, who did day one and three. Today’s race was about 36 to 38 miles. The rule was every day is an iron man race. No changes. If one man is hurt, too bad, you cannot change him. The first hour or so was in a lagoon, then they passed through a reef into the ocean for about a two and a half hour run to the next island called Bora Bora. While still in the lagoon they were in 4th place. In the ocean they estimated to be around 10th place. Reaching the island of Bora Bora, they could clearly see the finish at a place called Matira, but it was blocked by a barrier reef. They had to pass it and paddle another hour or so to the end of the island in order to enter the barrier reef. Entering the reef they were in 3rd place, but OPT came up and laid the hammer down and passed them, putting them in 4th.
They said it was brutal having to go so far in order to come back. While battling in the ocean, they caught some bumps and did well. They said the Tahitians enjoyed seeing them surf and watched with great interest. Perhaps trying to gain some insight on how to surf canoes. When asked how did everyone perform, the answer was, “The crew did insanely well. Everyone paddled phenomenally well. Karel did a great job keeping the ama down, avoiding boats and surfing swells. However we will have to rewrite our training schedule. We have a new respect for these guys in Tahiti. It makes Molokai look like a walk in the park.” Mai Tai Shell Va’a had about 20 motorboats surrounding their canoe. Some were giving directions; others were picking the course, while still others were waking out other boats. It got so choppy that many times Ching sitting in seat five had to take about 80 to 90 strokes on the left to help his steersman Tresnak keep the ama from flipping over. They agreed the guys hammered so intensely hard today, "It was incredible". Apparently the people loved to watch them and were very friendly and nice, but don’t like to have their top teams beat. “I can’t believe we made it today,” was a common phrase. And finally the finish was as incredible, as they heard. Trying to paddle to shore, they were first dodging boats, then swimmers, then people reaching out, trying to grab their hats or glasses for a souvenir. More information should be coming tomorrow with some results of the over all winner and others. Hopefully they will be able to relax and enjoy themselves now that the race is over. Any more information will be welcomed here.
NEWS FROM THE TAHITIPRESSE
Shell Va'a wins Hawaiki Nui outrigger canoe race
(Tahitipresse) - Shell Va'a won the 15th Hawaiki Nui Va'a 2006 outrigger canoe race in Bora Bora (Leeward Islands). The team also won the last leg of the race Friday between Tahaa and Bora Bora.
In the last leg, Shell va'a paddlers proved once again that they were the best. They covered the Taha'a-Bora Bora distance (58 km, 36 miles) in 4 hours 16 minutes.
Erai crossed the finish line in Bora Bora in second place while team OPT (Tahitian post office) and the Hawaiian team - which surprisingly finished second of the first leg - finished third and fourth.
On the overall standings, after three legs, Shell va'a wins the Hawaiki Nui Va'a 2006 outrigger canoe race, Team OPT and Tamarii Vairao finishing second and third. Team Hawaii finished eight.
Shell va'a won all the legs, except the second one between Raiatea and Tahaa.
But this year Shell va'a managed to win both the great Molokai outrigger canoe race in Hawaii, last October, and Hawaiki Nui Va'a.
Only one Tahitian team - Faa'a - did previously the same thing back in the early 1990's.
Email
From Luke Evslin who paddled with Kamanu Outrigger Hawaii. ( Parts of his email have been edited for brevity ) Tahiti is incredible this is def… one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever been on. Im on Bora Bora right now and go back to Huahine tomorrow I think. Everyday we go to a different island and everyday is more beautiful and awesome than the last.
alright... Ill try email again from a computer with an Americqn keyboard. Im using q French keyboard that is very different
Luke
Email
Team Bradley places second in the Women's Race
In an email from Patty Eames, mother of Jessica Eames one of the Team Bradley paddlers, she writes.The women's race is held on Wednesday, after the men finish the first leg. I forget the name of the town on Raiatea- I think its Uturoa...anyway the women's race starts about 1:00. They start and finish at Uturoa; a changes race team of ten women...about 26 miles, go "right' through a gap in the reef, turn back 'left', through two 'motus' and back to the finish at the beach at Uturoa, about a 3-4 hour race. There is also a juniors race, run with the women, a couple of divisions, under 17's and 18's, male and female. I have done the race twice. It is something else to race in Tahiti. All the people and school children line the roads along the shore to watch as the canoes pass and finish. Helicopters dropped flowers on us as we lead the pack through the pass in the reef; those that have motorboats go out alongside the racing canoes, following from island to island. It is and incredible event. And the romance and beauty of French Polynesia are legendary. Sonny Bradley is somewhat helping the team, but the girls still have to pay their own way. I am not sure of all the names ( I am here in Kona..they're all mostly from Oahu.). Jessie and Gina and Pauahi are from Hui Lanakila. One other Bradley woman got turned away at the airport, because of expired passport and they had to pick up a 'Kiwi" paddler. I checked the link you sent for Tahiti press and gather from a line at the bottom of the results for the Juniors that Hawaii got 2nd...(Chez les femmes : 1er Venus Va'a (Tahiti), 2eme Team Bradley Ruahatu (Hawaï), 3eme Punaauia Va'a (Tahiti), 4eme Jeunes de Afarerii (Tahiti), 5eme E'Rai (Tahiti).)
Thanks Patty
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