Hawai'i lifeguards face international competition at Ocean Challenge
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
No longer pushovers, Hawai'i lifeguards are hoping to push over the top at this weekend's Hawaiian International Ocean Challenge.
The event features two days of competition in various lifeguard-related skills. Nine teams are in the field: Hawai'i, Australia, California, East Canada, West Canada, Florida, Japan, New Jersey and New Zealand.
Each team must consist of seven full-time lifeguards, including one female. The teams will compete in eight different races, including relays in swimming, paddleboarding, surfski paddling and outrigger-canoe paddling.
The first day of competition will begin at noon tomorrow at Makapu'u Beach. Competition concludes Saturday at Kailua Beach starting at 10 a.m.
"I think this event was more fun and games for us a while back," said Hawai'i manager Mark Cunningham. "But we've been building momentum the last few years. I think we're seeing that we can compete with the other guys and so we're taking it to a higher level."
New Zealand is the two-time defending champion. Australia won eight consecutive titles before that.
Last year, Hawai'i had its best showing in the 11-year history of the event, placing third. Only a late surge by Australia prevented Hawai'i from finishing in second.
"It was a very strong third place," Cunningham said. "It came down to the last event, so we know that we can be right there with the very best."
Representing Hawai'i this year will be Dolan Eversole, John Flanagan, Kevin Flanagan, Guy Pere, Brendan Shea, Glenn Wachtel and Katie Wright. Kevin Flanagan and Wright are the only first-year members.
"I think our experience will be a key," said John Flanagan. "That, and I think we have a lot of good overall strength."
John Flanagan already proved his worth as a swimmer, winning the Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim on Monday. He beat several of the international lifeguards who were already in town.
"Swimming is definitely my strength," said Flanagan, a Punahou graduate. "But under the format of the event, you have to be able to help in other ways."
The Hawai'i team is also hoping to receive help from Mother Nature. With four North Shore lifeguards on the roster, Cunningham said: "The bigger the waves, the better."
In any case, Hawai'i is considered an underdog. The Australian and New Zealand lifeguards enter similar competitions throughout the year. For Hawai'i, it is basically a once-a-year event.
"Australia and New Zealand have to be considered the favorites every year," Cunningham said. "But that's good for everybody else. It provides an incentive to shoot for."
Because of injuries and other commitments, New Zealand will have a revamped roster, including five rookie competitors. Cory Hutchings, the team's most valuable player the past two years, is among the no-shows.
Because of that, New Zealand has been training every day since arriving in Hawai'i last Saturday.
"We have five new members so we need to get used to the environment and start working together as a team," said New Zealand manager Peter McNamara. "Our strategy is just to be consistent."
The Ocean Challenge is the signature event of the Hawaiian Airlines World Ocean Games (formerly known as OceanFest). Other events scheduled this week:
Today: World Ocean Games Kite Surfing Championship, 11 a.m. at Mokule'ia Beach Park, conditions permitting.
Saturday: Town & Country Grom Contest for surfers ages 4-14, 8 a.m. at Waikiki Beach.
Saturday: T&C/Transworld Surf Air Invitational, 10 a.m. at Waikiki Beach.
Sunday: Outrigger Waikiki King's Race, 8:30 a.m. at Waikiki Beach.
Sunday: Town & Country Grom Contest for surfers ages 4-14, 8 a.m. at Waikiki Beach.
Sunday: Bud Light Tug of War, featuring international lifeguard teams, 10:30 a.m. at Waikiki Beach.
