Surfing the Pailolo Channel

“Wheeee!” the canoe surges forward and down a wave. We’re going fast. Fast enough to break through the wave in front, and slide down again, “whee!”. Tap, tap, tap. We’ve got her up and running now! It’s the run of the day; the Pailolo Challenge, “funnest race in the world”, is living up to its tag line.

The hurricanes are gone, and the trade winds are back. 20kts+ of Easterly fun, directly behind us, whipping up 8ft waves in the channel between Maui and Molokai.

It’s the ultimate end to our ultimate paddling trip: 2 weeks of paddling; 3 races and an OC1 camp; with this 4hr downwind OC6 race as the finale.

It’s grins all round, the entire way to Molokai!

And here’s why we’re smiling:

For more about our trip, follow this link. For more pictures, visit the Gallery

Relaxing on Kaua'i

After a packed week of paddling adventures, it’s time for a few days of relaxation. Nic, Shane, Kath, Tod, Jas, Cath and I head to Kaua'i’s north shore. Apparently this is the rainiest location on the islands, and it doesn’t disappoint.

We check out the coastline, stopping at Kilauea Lighthouse, and a plain of taro fields.

Taro fields in northern Kauai

Taro is a traditional hawaiian staple food that is making a come-back.  When the potato like tuber is baked, as when we had it on our post-race plate lunch, it tastes a bit like sweet potato, but more starchy. It’s also pounded into a liquid, called poi, which Carol told us is a popular side dish at meals, and is often poured into snaplock bags and used as a natural Gu in races. I love its range of colours - purple, pink, green & brown - but not quite the taste, yet.

We reach Hanalei Bay, a place which brings back fond memories of my first surfing lesson with Ron (see this post from2011). Ron and his yoga poses are nowhere to be seen; it’s the calmer summer season and the bay has been flattened by the rain showers, so there’s not much to surf here today.

Flat Hanalei Bay

Jas and I run into Scooter on the pier and ask a little about his sailing canoe; a 4-seat Walter Bradly model that he has restored over the past few years. It looks tons of fun, and I’d love to head out on one; but even the rain has put Scooter off today. Maybe next time.

Walter Bradly OC4

A walk around Hanelei shops, and tasty lunch at the Dolphin for some superb sushi and poke bowls fills in the time until we can check-in to our fancy tower condo in Princeville. It’s the ultimate Hawaiian getaway, and is going to be the perfect place to relax over the next few days.

Time to relax with Kath, Nic, Jas, Cath (Shane & Tod)

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We wake to the sound of pounding rain, which encourages a well-needed sleep-in.  Despite the frequent showers, we venture west to check out the Kalalau trail along the Napali coast, which I have been wanting to hike for years. As Nic forges the rental car through a 20cm deep stream that gushes over the road, I doubt our chances of hiking today.

Rain soaked Ke'e beach

Sure enough, the trail is closed, so we explore around Ke'e beach and the surrounding area. The rain makes the coastline rugged, and leaves the towering mountains up to the imagination, but brings out the greenery in the rainforest and makes the rope-like vines and dinner-plate sized leaves glisten.

Back home, we take a local tip and order in pizza from the Princeville service station and general store. Washed down with some Big Wave beers it’s a perfect day off.

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Back on the adventure trail! It’s still dark when we all pile into the car this morning for the drive South to Port Allen wharf. The sun peaks over the horizon as we drive down the east coast, and shortly after 7:30am we’re on a catamaran, headed for the Napali Coast.

“Dolphins!” Jas squeals, and the catamaran lists port as we all crowd to see them. The spinner dolphins glide through the water beneath us. Apparently they’re still asleep, half their brain is resting.

The Napali Coast stretches before us. A series of towering, jagged green mountains, separated by deep ravines almost at sea level. It’s incredibly stunning. The guide tells us about the Native Hawaiians who lived in some of the coves. They would fish during the calmer Summer months, and travel by canoe to other locations, but become stranded during winter, when 80ft swells pound the coastline.

Kalalau Bay, Napali Coast

The wind picks up, and the waves run along the coastline. Even though it’s our time off, I can’t help but think how awesome it would be to paddle these waters. The Napali Challenge OC6 race has been on my wish list for a while; and this has just  reconfirmed how much fun it could be!

We stop for a snorkel. It’s great to get off the rolling boat, and luckily I quickly spot a turtle a few meters below. There’s nothing that will bring you to the present better than following a turtle as it meanders through the water, picking up the currents, slowly beating its fins as it rises to the surface for a quick breath. It’s a timeless moment.

Too soon, we’re back on board, headed for the port, back at full speed. The seas are rough – Captain Nicola reads the dials at 31kts. Needless to say, I’m happy to be back on solid ground.

Jas and I continue our exploration day and head up to Waimea Canyon for the afternoon. It’s the day of spectacular views; we look out over the rusty coloured cliffs towards a waterfall on the far side. A short walk along the Canyon trail brings us to an equally stunning perspective down the canyon.

Stunning colours of Waimea Canyon

Just holding on

We’re now at the top of the ridge of the Napali Coast, looking down to the ocean where we were that morning. It’s a surreal view, and a place I’d like to spend more time in, to bring the views into reality, but for this trip, our time is unfortunately up, and we’re back to Oahu tomorrow, then to Maui for the next stage of the trip.

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 Last day

A swim at Queen's Bath with Kath and Tod on our last morning

For more about our trip, follow this link. For more pictures, visit the Gallery

E Lau Hoe

The race that had it all! E Lau Hoe surprised us with a quick start. 

The E trades were up and we had a decent swell on our ama side for the first leg to Diamond Head. A monsoonal downpour blocked all sight for 15min, but luckily cleared in time for us to avoid the reef. 

All changes were good! 

The next leg past the airport played to our sweet spot - smaller runners and a 10-15kt wind.

With Barbers Point clear in the distance we began to overtake crews with our inside line; taking a sneaky shortcut through the reef.

A solid push home, and a few more crews overtaken brought us with smiles to the finish at Nanakuli Beach Park.

A moment to reflect on the race, our team, and frangipani's for Deborah. 

Thanks Shane, Tod and Kenneth for brilliant escort boat support and Nuku for helping with the car shuffle.

Great race PDs; it will only make us stronger and better prepared for Pailolo next weekend! 19th across the line, and 12th in Open Women's.

For more pictures, visit the Gallery

RACE RESULTS

For more about our trip, follow this link

Stormy seas

“Amanda, what’s happening?” My voice gets lost in the 15kt SE that’s finally kicked up. A wave comes through and I see Kath B rise up in the water holding the canoe.  Jim Foti is in the water also. The next set comes through and I look again.  Hang on. That doesn't look quite right.  Uh oh.

Amanda is clutching two seats on her lap, having rescued them from the wreckage. Kath is surprisingly calm, given that the canoe she was on, is now in two pieces. We’re a couple of hundred metres of the Mokes, about to turn back to Lanikai for a great surf run.

A few bumps before things went awry

Donna, who has also come to join us this morning, says she’ll go back to shore and get the lifeguard to bring out a Jetski. I’m reluctant to leave Kath floating, but there’s not much else we can do; we turn with the waves and start to surf.

For a moment, I let myself forget the broken OC2 and everyone else and connect with the water. The Ehukai skips on the wave surface and the energy of the next wave builds behind the canoe. A few big strokes and we’re on. A few slight corrections and we skip into the next trough. This is awesome!

The canoe has picked up some speed now, and it’s easier to find the next run. Donna and Kayleene are ahead on the OC2 and I follow their line. All of a sudden, we’re back at the shoreline. I’d love to do that again, but we’re in rescue mode.

Donna jumps out to grab the lifeguard, and I head out to see how everyone else is going. Cath G has made it through the biggest conditions she’s been in, and looks happy to be back. I give her a wave, and she gives a shell-shocked smile back.

Amanda still has the two seats balancing on her lap. In the calmer waters we make another attempt to pass one over. This time we’re successful. I discover a new top hand drill – there’s not much chance of dropping your top hand when there’s a 40cm square foam seat sticking between your legs! We catch the small bumps back to shore.

Amanda's new trick - 2 seat balancing whilst surfing

Back on land, we pack up the canoes, and hope Kath is OK. Nuku is on watch from the sand-dunes and spots a Jetski coming back to shore. 10min later we see Kath’s head pop up. “Kath!”, we run over and give her a hug.

She retells her story,

“We were going really softly over the waves, backing off each time the nose went over a crest, and coaxing it along. We’d just reached the group and stopped, when the next wave came through and there was a crack. I knew there was a problem when I heard Jim swear [in his relaxed Hawaiian way]."

"Then we were sinking. The crack had gone the full way through the hull. Once you guys left, Jim and I swam the canoe parts to the beach on the Mokes. It felt like it would take forever to get there".

"The jetski came up and took the canoe back first, then came and picked us up. I’ve never been on a jetski before! Oh, and we huli'd that too, when we went to rescue Jim's hat”, she says grinning. It sounds like a beer commercial to me.

We were so glad Kath was ok; she had a few scratches from the canoe on her legs, but otherwise was unscathed. A dramatic end to the OC1 camp.

For more about our trip, follow this link. For more pictures, visit the Gallery

Hanging out at the Mokes

We’re in paddling paradise. The turquoise water laps gently against the hull of the canoe, creating bright reflections on the Pueo’s khaki coating. I carefully follow Jas as we wind our way single file through the maze-like reef at Lanikai, avoiding the light coloured patches that indicate coral just beneath the surface.

Cath and Nic

Jas spots a turtle, popping its head up for a quick breath to say good morning.

It’s our second day at the Mokes. Yesterday we went around the outside of the islands and caught the remnants of swell back to Flat Island opposite Kailua. 

Kez catching a few waves at Flat Island

Today, we’ve packed the esky, and are setting up shop on the island beach.

Heading to the Mokes

There’s only a slight breeze thanks to Hurricane Jimena, which is sitting north of the islands and blocking the trades; contributing to the sweltering, humid heat this week.

But there’s a great break between the Mokes that’s curving around the island and looks fun to play with.

Turtle!

And yep, it’s as much fun as it looks! Annett catches the wave of the day; and we all practice our surfing and ama flying. Jim steers the OC4 and takes the girls canoe surfing – by the look on Cath’s face when they get back, they caught a few good waves.

Annett's wave of the day

 

Canoe surfing with Jim

We swap around canoes – Ehukai, Antares, Pueo 2, Scorpious XS. I enjoy the Pueo and Scorpious the most for their ease of picking up the bumps. Some of the other girls prefer the Ehukai. It’s great to try them all.

Amanda, Kath, Annett & Shell in our beach colours

We spend some time on the beach with Jim and Koa talking about steering.

“Every good crew needs a good steerer, and every good steerer needs a good crew”, Jim tells us.

“Everyone in the canoe should be able to steer – to understand what the steerer is doing and better respond in their individual seat,” he continues.

“And always put an experienced person in 5. That will give your steerer a lot of confidence and support when they need it most”.

We grab some lunch and realize we’ve been out for 4hrs already. The sunburn has started to set in, so it’s time to head back home for rest and milkshakes.

For more about our trip, follow this link. For more pictures, visit the Gallery