2006 Season

Photo courtesy of Danee Hazama

The highlight of the first half of 2006 was Waka Ama 2006 as the biennial World Sprints competition moved to New Zealand for the second time. Held at picturesque Lake Karapiro near the city of Hamilton on the North Island, organizers put on a great event, and the venue was ideal for both spectators and competitors. Anuenue paddlers came home with lots of fine memories as well as medals (Golden Master men with gold in the V6 500M, bronze in the V61000, and silver in the V12).

Click here for a Waka Ama gallery

Competing in the this years Kanaka Ikaika series were Gaylord Wilcox, Nappy (of course), Reina Garcia, Jacque Venuta, Koa Lyu, Keith Kaleo, Sam and Shari Magno, Jessie Cracknell, Dr. Pete, and Sepa Napoleon (unofficially!).Reina and Jacque took first place in the States in their OC2 category; Jessie teamed up with Billy Rees to form a potent OC2 combo in the Short Course. Nappy, Gaylord, Koa, and Jessie carried the Anuenue flag across the channel in the Solo Moloka'i

Down the stretch in the Solo Molo

Relay Events:

Aaron and partner Andrea Moeller dominated the OC1 mixed category in the Kaua'i Challenge while Aaron and Kea Paiaina were third overall in the Kaiwi Relay. Nappy and Gaylord were once again challenging thte younger contingent in several relay events. To top it off, they flew back to New York to race in the annual General Clinton 70-mile marathon event and came back with second place age group trophies.

Riding high on Kaua'i

Regatta 2006:

Regatta season got under way with some participation question marks for some clubs because of relocation brought about by the sewage spill associated with the spring deluge. Fortunately for Anuenue with our location, the nasty bugs were not of much concern.

Anuenue's season had its ups and downs. Led by the the Mixed Novice B crew, the club had two seconds and two thirds in "A" division competition followed by a third place finish at the annual MacFarlane surf regatta at Waikiki. Things got a little tougher the remainder of the season. Only 3 crews (Mixed Novice B, Mixed 55 and Womens 50) qualified for the State Championships at Keehi Lagoon. The season's results pointed out again the need for a new koa racing canoe, a goal that might be a little closer to a reality now.

Good job, Mixed Novice B's !!!

Distance Season:

Participating in several long distance events, Anuenue paddlers prepared for the Moloka'i crossing with participation in several long distance events. The men's open crew had a strong Henry Ayau race, and Nappy's prime time paddlers picked up divisional gold medals in Kona in the OC-6 and OC-12 races. Nappy and partner Bruce once again finished in the money in the New York 3-day marathon race.

In a Moloka'i race marked by a new record and a Tahitian sweep, both Anuenue crews took advantage of the conditions to complete the race in 5:50:30 (open) and 6:09:20 (55 + -divisional third). Capping off their season, a happy group of Anuenue open women finished in 7:02:06 in the Na Wahine race.

Post-Moloka'i Events: Conditions were mellower this year for the annual Blue Makua races on the North Shore, and the 60+ boys came home first in their division. Reina and Jacque jumped in a mixed Masters 50 Hawaiian Kanaktion crew and also finished first. The final events of the the year for a small group of Anuenue paddlers was a trip to Rarotonga to race in the third annual Vaka Eiva Canoe festival.

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