Da Boyz of Molo 04
Trevor Lord, Jake Rempel, Gord Peters, Moe Saboune, Sampson Hollywood, Briac Medard de Chardon (seated), Reg Kao, Scott Booth, Cam Brine, Adam Vasilevich, Niels Bednarczyck, David Velisek, Shane Martin, Steve Palmier (kneeling), Vlad Tucakov, Cheryl Skribe (coach).
(Francisco Prado, Gordon Polkinghorne, Paul Friese not in picture)
The Race
This was the hardest paddle I have ever done. Without a doubt. But it was totally awesome and I would love to do it again. The water was not big, but it came from everywhere and it kept me on my toes, mentally draining me. We had an easterly 15knot wind, the tide was with us, which sets us up nicely. But we also had a 4' swell from the North and a 3' swell from the South, and we were going East-North-East. So the back end was continually being spun around the whole way to Oahu. I met Todd Bradley before the race and he generously gave me good advice on the course to steer for this race given the circumstances on the day. Bruce Blankenfelt of Hui Nalu also took time to help me understand the ocean out there. It kind of creeps up on you and then pushes you with almighty force, so timing of the pushes is extremely important.
The start was great. Hard to get onto the line, squeezing between canoes. We were there early and they held us there for quite a while. The horn went at about 7.22am. Outrigger and Tahiti blasted off the line, Tahiti apparently led for the first hour (but I couldn't see them, and had too much to do anyway...!) At La'au point the escort boats come. And do they. Mayhem in the ocean. It was really hard to keep the ama down. We made a point of having the first stroker (Trevor) wear a lime green shirt (which he liked...) so that we would be noticed - by both the other escort boats to stay away, as well as our own escort boat to come to us.
I steered a zig-zag course over the ocean - it seemed the way the canoe wanted to go. Surfing down, then keeping in the grouve going up. After about an hour or so we lost one paddler due to sea-sickness, which then makes everything a little harder on everyone. Longer changes in the canoe for the paddlers, no coach - so it was hard to get more water for me, which results in a harder crossing for everyone. We had two missed changes, once nearly missing two seats! - But generally the changes went well. Our escort boat driver needed to be reminded on how to do the changes. Instead of a nice curved line to make the change, he would power right up the side of the ama...resulting in a hairy moment with the ama popping and jumping like a mad-man. I needed assurance that I was on line from the escort boat, and as it is so noisy and you can't hear each other from escort boat to canoe, we devised a series of hand signals which seemed to work well.
I was not too fresh for the Hawaii Kai run. It was 4 hours into the race after all. From my perspective, it was like looking out of a soft lens camera by then...my reactions were slower, we caught many small bumps, but not as many of the longer runs as I would have liked. But we had some great 100 yard surf runs for all that, which was awesome! As we passed Diamond Head a school of dolphins surfed by us, which was great! Unfortunately our escort boat could not get in close, so we had to take the wider line in order to do the changes. I think we would have picked off another crew if we had. Turning around the final buoy was a relief and a joy...The Hui Nalu women picked up the canoes from us at the beach which was a blessing.
I heard at the end that Jim Foti got out twice, Karel once, and Todd usually gets out once (although he didn't do the crossing this year). Which suggests to me that it's a good idea. I certainly wanted to, but it is difficult to do when you are down to 8. Ideally we should go with 2 steerers I would think.
The whole week was fabulous with all the guys, paddling, surfing, poolside banter etc. I am sure most if not all of them will be back.
This is when "Plan B" becomes extremely important. We needed it and we used it. To get our heads around any adversity and paddle positively through the race. The lads were very supportive of my steering the whole way over and I am very grateful. The boys done well.
Thanks to False Creek Racing Canoe Club and da boyz for letting me loose across the Channel...thanks also to Hui Nalu Canoe Club of Oahu who kindly loaned us their canoes.
Mahalo! We'll be back!
(All photos by Adam Vasilevich, Niels Bednarczyck and Scott Booth)
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