Big waves pummeled some of the canoe teams at the start of the Na Wahine O Ke Kai long distance women’s race Sunday.
Seventy-two all-women crews were signed up to compete in the 42-mile race between Molokai and Oahu. The high surf had some concerned about the paddlers’ safety. Some even questioned if the race should have gone on.
But more than two hours before it began, the race committee watched how the waves were rolling in to Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai.
Because conditions were choppy getting to the start line, race officials warned teams to wait for a lull and time the waves before heading out.
"I think some of them got antsy as they got a little closer to the area where you go out," said Hannie Anderson, of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. "Instead of them waiting, they were charging out to get over that wave and that’s when the pilikia came in."
Race officials had advised the team coaches that if they thought the conditions were too dangerous, to stay out of the race. No teams dropped out.
"This is why people come to Hawaii to challenge the Kaiwi channel it the most unpredictable channel you’ll find in the world," Anderson says.
Anderson says this is the second time in 45 years she’s seen Hale O Lono harbor breaking like this.
The last time the race was cancelled due to difficult conditions was back in 1980.
Despite the difficult start, only one crew did not finish the race. That was because their ama broke after another canoe collided into them.
One paddler was injured and could not compete, but her team continued on with the race.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
