Distance Season 2011:
Two Anuenue crews raced in the annual Duke Kahanamoku event with the best finish being a 21st out of 42 crews. The second crew with mostly novice men finished a creditable 33rd. The prime time 65s got into the act with a first place finish in the Kailua Challenge race. For Kona this year, it was also the 60s men with a 3rd place in the Iron 60+ division and a first in the double hull teaming up with some friends from Noosa. Warming up for Moloka’i, the open crew finished 22nd out of 47 crews in the Henry Ayau race. Although the wahines were regular paddlers for training, they did not put together any crews to race and also did not enter the Na Wahine race this year .
Moloka’i Hoe 2011 ;
On a day that saw Shell Va’a smash the record again, the men’s open boys had a good day and came in 38th out of 102 entered crews with a time of 5:46:54. The consensus was that the channel was a little rougher but still sloppy compared to 2010 with the best surfing being off East Oahu. Nappy’s crew helped continue his streak of consecutive crossings but this year were unable to break into the top three in a very competitive 60+ division (6:42:59). Well-done boys!
The last races on the year’s schedule will be another trip to Rarotonga for Nappy and the gang to participate in their week long celebration of paddling with events ranging from sprints to the circle island race.