Congratualations to Tyrus Siale  who won his first YMCA/Steinlager Kaua`i Hoe Wa’a  OC1 race in 1 hour and 32 minutes finishing almost 40 seconds ahead  of Mark Frasier in strong Northeast winds gusting to over 30 miles per hour at times. The long course started at Kalapaki Bay ending at Kukui`ula Harbor providing the 30 competitors with great surfing to about Waiohai and then a difficult sidewind making the last mile a real grind for everyone. Noe Auger edged out Alana Goo-Frazier also by about 40 seconds after changing the lead several times over the 14 mile course.  In spite of the rough conditions, the competition was fierce with many paddlers separated by only seconds of each other. Ken Denton won the 50 Mens by 30 seconds over Mac MacDonald. Tom Thompson was first in the 55Mens over Mike Kobayashi by only 7 seconds after catching the same large swell into Kukuiula Harbor!   

In the short course from Waiohai to Port Allen Fishing Club, Keone Miyake held off Patrick Fenwich by only 40 seconds finishing in 1 hour 18 minutes. Conditions were very challenging the entire way with the strong winds making it a very hard paddle over the 9 mile course. Kathy Braach won the ladies division finishing ahead of Tiffany Palama and Fran MacDonald. 

The paddlers enjoyed a great lunch from No.1 in Kalaheo with beverages provided by Steinlager. Great prizes were provided by Olu Kai, the wonderful sandals maker, Kai Wa`a the one man outrigger canoe maker on Maui and paddle covers by Corianne Caplener of Hilo 

For a list of all finishes, please view the entire results of this race at kauaihoewa’a.com. Next race is scheduled for March 14 from Port Allen to Waimea Plantation Cottages, weather permitting. Standup, paddleboards and surfskis are encouraged to participate. Please call Tom Bartlett for further information or view the latest updates at the Kauai Hoe Wa`a website.