Lanikai captures rough and tumble Macfarlane

By Baxter Cepeda
Advertiser Staff Writer

A men's team from Healani Canoe Club encounters a wave during the start of their race at the Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta at Waikiki. Crews were allowed to use experienced steersmen because of the rough sea conditions. Photos by Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Healani senior men's crew bails out water after getting splashed upon in the first lap of its heat in waters off Waikiki.

Two women's crews tread water after their canoes were swamped.

Bartlett kept his crew afloat through a seven-foot set that contributed to a loud collision between Kailua and Outrigger. Lanikai went on to win the race, which contributed to the club's overall victory yesterday in the 61st annual Macfarlane Regatta at Waikiki Beach.

The Macfarlane is traditionally run in such treacherous waters that teams are allowed to use their most experienced steersmen in every race.

Those steersmen were needed this year.

"Kai's one of the top paddlers in the state," said Cathy Bender, a member of the victorious Lanikai senior women. "He's excellent at steering in surf.

"He got us positioned to catch the wave and hold it."

The collision between the Kailua and Outrigger women started with both teams catching the same set wave.

In powerful whitewater, Outrigger's canoe, with steersman Walter Guild, veered into Kailua's lane and hit Kailua's canoe between the two and three seats, flipping it over.

"It was pretty bad," said Kailua's Lisa Martin, who was in the three seat. "We don't tend to get accidents like this."

Immediately after the race, Guild went up to the Kailua camp and apologized.

"Couldn't hold it," Guild said.

Kailua steersman Kamoa Kalama quickly forgave Guild because he knows the difficulties of the regatta.

"Races here are left to chance," Kalama said. "You just try to avoid injuries."

There was another reason not to get upset for getting knocked out of a race at the Macfarlane — it is the only regatta in the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association season that does not count in the standings.

But there were 14 perpetual trophies up for grabs, including the Macfarlane Regatta Trophy, given to the winning club.

Bartlett and Bender, joined by Amber Kulhmann, Kimberly Robinson, Dani Gay and Judy Sangiuliano, took home the Muriel Flanders Trophy for winning the senior women's race.

The senior men's race was much like the senior women's. Steered by John Foti, Lanikai caught a big wave and held on as other crews struggled on the same wave.

Foti was joined by Mike Pederson, David Daniels, Kalani Irvine, Kekoa Bruhn and Mike Judd on the winning senior men's team, which was awarded the Walter Macfarlane Memorial Trophy.

"The part (of the wave) we caught wasn't as critical," said Pederson. "You never know what you're going to get in Waikiki."

Irvine added that Foti did "a great job."

As is tradition in the men's senior race, Lanikai invited second place Hui Nalu to drink champagne from the trophy.

Lanikai won nine other races — girls 12-and-younger, boys 14-and-younger, boys 15-and-younger, boys 16-and-younger, women's novice A, men's novice A, junior men, men's 50-and-older and the mixed race — as it finished the AA (larger clubs) division with 90 points.

"It's awesome," said Lanikai head coach Bobby Puakea. "The kids start the work and the rest falls into place"

Puakea added that teamwork, good steering and practicing hard contributed to the win.

Outrigger, the host club, finished second with 74 points — winning the boys 13-and-younger, girls 15-and-younger, girls 16-and younger, boys 18-and-younger, sophomore women, women's 55-and-older, women's 50-and-older, and men's 40-and-older.

Kailua finished third with 65 points, taking the girls 13-and-younger, girls 18-and-younger, freshmen women, men's 55-and-older, mixed 55-and-older, mixed 40-and-older.

Healani Canoe Club took the A division with 24 points — winning the mixed novice B and women's fours.

The traditions and the setting of the Macfarlane regatta make it a favorite .

"Everybody looks forward to being a participant," Kalama said.

The next O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association race is the John D. Kaupiko Regatta at Ke'ehi Lagoon on July 13.

Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a: The Koa Kai Regatta is scheduled for tomorrow at Ke'ehi Lagoon. Kane'ohe Canoe Club has won five of the six Hui Wa'a regattas this season. Lokahi won the other regatta two weeks ago.