Pacific Paddler magazine - August 2012 - (Page 4)

photos by Ken Missbrenner Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge hosted by New York Outrigger their final preparations for the day’s races. With most of the Dumbo neighborhood still in bed, a pair of "pu" (conch shell) trumpeted out a clarion call for paddlers to gather for the pule. Assembled around the canoes was a collection of paddlers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Hawaii, Italy, Panama, and throughout the mainland U.S. Without even a common language between them, this diverse group of paddlers from across the globe formed an unmistakable community, united in a shared love of paddling and being on the water. through the harbor. And there was definitely no shortage of battling taking place in the day’s races. “It was wonderful to have such strong competition in the men’s division this year,” said Nate Day of Washington Canoe Club. For some of these crews this was their first opportunity to test their skills on an international stage. “It was the first time that my team's had to face international and American outrigger teams. As a first international experience, it was simply great,” said Kevin Renvoye whose Team Te Va’a men from France finished second to Team Primo. With Primo holding the lead through the men’s race, Te Va’a, Team Brazil, Marina del Rey and Manu’iwa Outrigger had a grueling 15 miles to battle it out. For some of these crews, the tough competition meant there was no time for sightseeing. “It was a great pleasure to see Manhattan from a totally different perspective, but that lasted only a few minutes before we started! We didn’t even see the Statue of Liberty on our way to the finish line!” stated Rodrigo Ache of Team Brazil. In the women’s heat, the day, without a doubt, belonged to the wahine of Hui Lanakila who took advantage of the calm morning conditions to pull their canoe out to a commanding lead. “It was as if you were paddling in a bigger and wider version of the Ala Wai," said Violet Carrillo, “but with much more water traffic and numerous different directions of ongoing current.” Also participating in the women’s race was a group of paddlers from Panama who first paddled an outrigger canoe only days before Liberty. "This was the first Over the years, the draw of racing in New York City has attracted top outrigger crews from around the globe, and this year the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge continued its great tradition with a diverse field of international competitors. Competing teams raced past iconic New York landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty. However, the uniqueness of paddling in New York Harbor is only part of what makes the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge such a memorable experience. The real magic of the event is the spirit of aloha and instant ohana created by all the paddlers who travel thousands of miles to compete in one of the world’s busiest urban harbors. New York is known as an international melting pot, and on Saturday, June 23rd nowhere in the city better displayed that fact than Brooklyn Bridge Park. Shortly after sunrise, crews began to gather on the cobblestone streets of Brooklyn to make Each year an increasing number of events take place in New York Harbor, but few compare to the spectacle of the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge. “Seeing outrigger paddling in NYC and from clubs across the globe is nothing short of amazing,” commented Cory Nakamura of Hui Lanakila. The rest of the city took notice too, with crowds lining the shoreline to get a glimpse of the canoes battling for position 4 Pacific Paddler - August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler magazine - August 2012

Cover Liberty Challenge 2012
Contents August 2012
Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge
Gold Coast Cup
MacFarlane 4th of July tradition
Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta
OHCRA Regattas 1,2 & 3
Na Ohana O Hui Waa
Island Iron Rips
I can't run, my knees hurt
OHCRA Champs photos
Calendar
HCRA State Program

Pacific Paddler magazine - August 2012