The 16th Annual Hanohano-Huki
JAN 28, 2012
BONITA COVE
Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge to power across bay - San Diego Communities - PB/Mission Beach
Written by Don Balch, writing for the Beach & Bay Press
Thursday, 19 January 2012 15:07
Watermen and women will unite on Saturday, Jan. 28 during the 16th annual Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge Paddling Race at Mission Bay.
Billed as a fun, variety-filled day of friendly, aquatic competition and aloha spirit, the event takes place at Mission Bay’s Bonita Cove, across from the Belmont Park rollercoaster.
The competition will feature paddle races using one- and two-person outrigger canoes, kayaks and surf skis, along with prone and stand-up paddleboards.
The event is hosted by the Hanohano Outrigger Canoe Club, a Mission Bay nonprofit organization founded in 1981 by Egon and Rena Horcajo. The Hanohano club brings together folks who share in perpetuating and participating in competitive Hawaiian outrigger-canoe racing and has proven to be one of the most successful winning clubs in Southern California.
The organization also has children’s programs and fundraising events for a scholarship program for student athletes. Hanohano is a Hawaiian word, translating as “glorious, worthy of praises and dignified.” The Hawaiian aloha spirit is a big part of the organization and the Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge event.
The challenge will have two courses, depending upon the competition. An approximate 9-mile course, which starts from Mission Beach’s North Jetty beach, heads out to sea, past Crystal Pier, then takes a wide turn back before finishing back at Bonita Cove.
The approximate 4-mile course takes place in Mission Bay, starting at Bonita Cove, heading past SeaWorld San Diego, then doing a U-turn and returning to the cove. There is also a 1,000-meter race for children under 12.
More than 400 watermen and women participated last year, including visitors from Las Vegas, Seattle, Arizona and Canada. Participants include professional lifeguards, former and present Olympic paddlers, pro triathletes and the junior Olympic kayak teams from San Diego and Newport Beach also take part. Notable paddle Olympians have included Phillipe Bocara, Cliff Meidl, Chris Barlow, Rich Sprout and Carrie Johnson. Danny Ching, one of the world’s best, one-man outrigger-canoe paddlers, won last year’s prestigious Waterman title by winning the short course 12’6”-and-under stand-up paddle (SUP) and the long-course outrigger (OC1) events. Maggie Hogan won last year’s women’s Waterman title by finishing second in the women’s short course 12’6”-and-under SUP and winning the women’s long-course surf ski event.
The increasing popularity of stand-up paddleboarding has had an impact on the event. Last year, 166 SUPs were entered in the events.
“It has definitely brought growth and attention to paddle sports in general,” said event spokesman Dan Van Dyck. “Because it is super-accessible, anyone can do it and has people interested in trying out the other paddle sports as well.”
One of the first questions usually asked is, “What is the difference between a kayak and a surf ski?”
A surf ski is a long, narrow, lightweight kayak with a sealed capsule that the paddler sits on top of. It is designed more for ocean conditions. A kayak has an internal seating compartment that the paddler sits inside of.
The Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge will have plenty going on besides paddling outriggers, SUPs, kayaks and surf skis.
“It’s the biggest event of its kind and the first event of the year in the World Paddle Association series, so there is a lot of excitement,” said Van Dyck. “There will also be a product expo on site with lots of demo equipment to try out, live music and the best raffle going with plenty of swag to give away.”
One-man and two-man Huki outrigger canoes are included in the raffle.
Sponsors include Huki Outrigger & Surf ski, Maui Jim’s Sunglasses, Quickblade, Yolo Boards, Bull Taco, Rogue SUP, Paddleme.com, Hansen’s Board Room, West Coast Paddlesurf, Sweet Waterwear, Zsu Zsu Athletic, OEX and others.
According to Anthony Vela, a lifeguard, Ironman competitor and a top SUP finisher from last year’s challenge, “The event is growing by leaps and bounds and everyone is having fun with a smile on their face.”
Most events have a $20 entry fee, which includes breakfast, lunch, awards, raffle ticket, and T-shirt for the first 200 individuals to register.
The online deadline is Jan. 26, with day-of entries on Jan. 28. For more information and entry into the 16th annual Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge, visit www.hanohano.org/OceanChallenge/Home.html.
This article originally appeared in the Beach & Bay Press (a media partner of SDNR).
SPONSORS
Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge is proud to be the First race of the WPA Series
Additional Media Stories, Videos and Pictures from the 2012 Race:
SUP Connect - YouTube
Hanohano SUP Race 2012, Quick Notes on Course
Of all stand up paddle board races, the Hanohano is arguably one of the most important races in the calendar, due to the large turnout, easy entry level for race novices, and a highly scenic venue on mission bay.
SAN DIEGO, California – Coming up this Saturday the SoCal Ocean Racing series will be holding its third event of the winter series, the Hanohano race down at Bonita Cove in San Diego, California. The race is open to multiple watercrafts, including not only stand up paddle boards but also outriggers, surf skis, traditional paddleboards, etc. Stand up paddle and traditional paddleboard racers will run the short course (4.9 miles) while the other crafts the long course (miles). Of all stand up paddle board races, the Hanohano is arguably one of the most important races in the calendar, due to the large turnout, easy entry level for race novices, and a highly scenic venue on mission bay. (Find a Sup Race on Events page of Supconnect.)
Some Notes on Short Course
Here are some notes on the course. First, starts are always crucially important but all the more so at the Hanohano short course. Standup paddle boarders sprint to a bottleneck left turn, hugging the jetty and facing lots of turbulence. Typically, paddlers come within inches of the rocks and the ebb and flow of the ocean, plus the tight pack of the start, make it really difficult to find a clear, calm opening, unless (of course) you are leading the start. So, sprint hard and try to hold a lead to find some clear water. Second, watch the currents. There will be a few turns and twists during the course, especially near jetties. And sometimes the shortest path is not the fastest. The course is close to the mouth of the bay and currents can be tricky, particularly in shallower waters. Keep an eye on the people around you and note whether your path is helping you gain, lose, or hold your lead around the bends. Drafting might be the safest strategy to hold your grounds in shallower water. Other than that, go out, have fun, and share the sup stoke! (Follow Supconnect on Facebook for lastest updates.)
For more information on the Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge, please contact Dan Van Dyck at dvandyck@pcfs.net. Hanohano Outrigger Canoe Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
