With no significant strengths or weaknesses, Kailua has emerged as O'ahu's top club entering tomorrow's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta.

More than 3,000 paddlers representing 56 clubs from around the state are expected to participate in the day-long regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach, Maui.

"I like how we are as a club," Kailua head coach Jimmy Bruhn said. "I like that we have these quiet crews that can sneak up on people. It's about being there at the end, and we always feel like we'll be there at the end."

Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui is the four-time defending state champion, and will have the most paddlers participating in tomorrow's regatta.

"Hawaiian is the favored club and it's their home grounds," Bruhn said. "But we're going to give it a try. We have as good a shot as anybody."

Kailua will bring 33 crews to Maui (Hawaiian will have 34). The regatta will feature 37 races in various age divisions.

"Of course, the goal is to win every race, but if that's not possible, even a third place is good," Bruhn said. "We know we're not going to win a lot of races, but we'd like all our crews to place in the top five or six. All those points will add up."

Kailua used that same strategy all season, and it resulted in an O'ahu championship last week.

Only two Kailua crews went undefeated this season — boys 13 and women freshman. However, almost every other crew was a consistent top-four finisher at each regatta.

"We know that if we perform well, we're bringing in points for the club," said Drae Kahale-Clemens, a member of the undefeated women freshman crew. "It's like every program in this club does their part — the men, the women, the youth. We just want to make sure we contribute."

Hawaiian's four-year reign has been fueled by its youth paddlers, and this year is no exception. Bruhn said he is hoping Kailua does not fall too far behind early in the day during the youth races.

"We don't have the big numbers in the kids, but the kids we do have are OK," Bruhn said. "So it's same like we did the whole season — just make our share of points in the kids events and then catch up later in the day."

One of the youth crews Kailua is counting on is the boys 13. Last year, the crew won the boys 12 race at the state regatta.

"We train with the attitude that we're doing this for the club," boys coach Charles Kanehailua said. "We don't tell the kids to focus on other clubs. We tell them to focus on themselves and that seems to work."

Kailua is also expected to score valuable points in the novice, open men, open women, and masters races.

"We don't have one program that's real dominant, but we all do our share," men's novice coach Kino Ornellas said. "Basically, we practice during the week and worry about our own crews. But once we get together for the regattas, it's all about the club."

Susie Oakland, a paddler on the women masters 55 crew, added: "We kind of go in to the regattas to do our best in our own race — that's all we can do. And if it means we help the club win the regatta, even better."

If there is a disadvantage for Kailua, it might be the venue.

The last time a state championship regatta was held at Hanaka'o'o Beach was 1999. In that regatta, strong currents created what some coaches believed to be an unfair course.

The course will feature 14 lanes, with lane 1 closest to shore, and lane 14 several hundred yards out.

"If it's the same as the last time, you have to be in the first five or six lanes to have a chance," Bruhn said. "Otherwise, you have to be a super crew to win in one of the outside lanes."

Besides Hawaiian and Kailua, other teams vying for the overall title are Hui Nalu, Hui Lanakila and Kane'ohe.

AAA DIVISION (18 CREWS OR MORE)

Hawaiian (34), Kailua (33), Hui Nalu (28), Kane'ohe (27), Hui Lanakila (22).

AA DIVISION (9 TO 17 CREWS)

Healani (17), Kahana (17), Kai E Hitu (17), Kai 'Opua (17), Keahiakahoe (17), Outrigger (17), Puna (17), Kawaihae (16), Lokahi (14), Kaiola (12), Na Kai Ewalu (12), Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (12), Hanalei (10), Lae Ula O Kai (10), Keauhou (9).

A DIVISION (8 CREWS OR FEWER)

'Alapa Hoe (8), Ka Mamalahoe (8), Manu O Ke Kai (8), Waikiki Surf (8), Leeward Kai (7), Wa'akapaemua (7), Wailea (7), 'Anuenue (6), Kailana (6), Kihei (6), Waikiki Beachboys (6), Koa Kai (5), Kukui O Moloka'i (5), North Shore (4), Keaukaha (3), Kilohana (3), Kona Athletic (3), Makaha (3), Mana'e (3), Moloka'i (3), Waimanalo (3), Kalihi Kai (2), Kamehameha-Hilo (2), Keoua (2), Lahaina (2), Napili (2), Niumalu (2), Pu'uwai (2), Waikiki Yacht (2), Windward Kai (2), Hana (1), Hawaiian Outrigger (1), Kai Oni (1), Keola O Ke Kai (1), Paddlers of Laka (1), Pu'uloa (1).