Pacific Paddler February 2013 - (Page 4)

Kanaka Ikaika's Waterman's Series I have been racing KIRA (Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association) since 1989. My first race was surfski short course and I won it. Ever since, I loved Kanaka Ikiaka. I started paddling KIRA heavy in 1993 when the OC-1 revolution began. At that time, there were only about 10 or 12 OC-1s in every race….. I was there when Doc Adams and Mr. Jim Foti and Steeve Hamblin, Hinano Tahiti Chapman ran the assoc. Then Geoff Graff took a turn, Karen Kiefer was at the helm for a while, and Wayne German was Captain Blye for a number of great years. I stayed closer and closer to the organizing committee for Patrick Dolan, first OC1 years and helped by sponsoring with Hinano and some other products. So by the time Jon Emerson took it over around 2000, the Foti Bros. started sponsoring the state race. We continued to help with keeping some flavor to the association as much as possible from a fringe position. In the early '90s, I returned repeatedly to Australia to race the Hamilton Cup for many years. These were the years when Australians were the paddlers to beat. They had an iron man series at that time which brought Paddleboard, surfski, beach running and swimming all into one event. This was the Uncle Toby's series and was very big in Australia with big money, sponsors, and spectators. The top iron men were amazing athletes and excellent outrigger paddlers. I loved the concept and always First in a Surf Ski, Zsolt Szadobszki dreamed of running a race, or series of races, like the Uncle Toby's series which brought together a number of athletic disciplines. I wanted to compete in these types of events, but hardly ever had an opportunity. Now I am finally in the position where I can make this happen. Hence, the Maui Jim Waterman's series. It brings together four of the prominent disciplines of ocean paddlesports: Prone paddleboard, SUP, Surfski and OC-1. The paddlers who have enough talent and courage to challenge themselves and others will prove themselves to be true watermen and women. We have worked hard to sequester sponsors to come up with great prizes for the winners, and even a cash purse. Although the cash purse is not huge, it is a start of something potentially big. If the concept is embraced by the paddlers, we can get the sponsors to embrace it and gain momentum Above, Kathryn Taylor below, Jennifer Lee to drive the sport into new territory. Tahiti Nui Va'a is also a new and exciting development. We are tak- ing the top 12, who are deemed the top 12 paddlers in Kanaka Ikaika. This does not mean the top 12 in the Poai Puni OC-1 series, but the top 12 who will make the OC-6 go the fastest. Paddlers will be chosen both objectively and subjectively. By consistently finishing in the top echelon in the OC-1 is the best way to be recognized, but not the only way. Certain paddlers who have proven themselves time and time again in outrigger, may paddle other disciplines during KIRA races, such as surfski or SUP, and still be considered. Let's face it, if Pat Dolan did surfski all year, would you deny him a seat in the crew because he didn't paddle OC-1? Anyhow, at the end of the season, we'll assess the paddlers based on their performance through the season and make subjective calls based on the needs of the crew. The trip is 100 percent funded with the exception of some meals. 4 Pacific Paddler - February 2013 Jim Foti, Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kanaka-Ikaika-Racing-Association/430411720348181?fref=ts

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler February 2013

Kanaka Ikaika's Waterman's Series
Maui Canoe and Kayak Club
Kauai Hoe Wa’a
Hawaii Island Paddle Sports
Vaka Eiva, Cook Islands
Santa Barbara - Return to the Pier
Unknown Factors
Hoena Wale No! Only Paddling! #1
Another Dam Race
Moloka’i World Championships
Keeping a Healthy Back
Law Enforcement Regatta
You can paddle, but can you swim?

Pacific Paddler February 2013