KHWA Race #2

1/21/24 | Kalapaki to Kapaʻa

Race 2 of the Kauai Hoe Wa'a 2024 season pitted 40-some rarin'-to-go paddlers against a pesky headwind that wasn't in the script. 10 miles of hammering through chilly rain into the teeth of the wind brought out the best in our gang, and all hands were happy to hit the beach in Kapa'a and find a table lined with trays of hot chili and rice. Join us for Race 3 on Saturday, February 3rd!

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Registration

Online Registration at Webscorer

8:30 - 10:30 am | Beach registration at Niumalu Canoe Club

  • OC1 - $40

  • OC2 - $60

  • 18 and under - Free

Start Times

10:30 am | Mandatory pre-race briefing @ Niumalu Canoe Club

11:00 am | 1st Start | In water between escort boat and Donkey Pt.

11:15 am | 2nd Start | In water between escort boat and Donkey Pt.

Race Safety

Each paddler/canoe must have with them (mandatory)

  • spare paddle

  • leash

  • high-visibility apparel

All vessels could be  inspected by race officials. Highly recommended would be one or all of these: a cellphone or cell-connected Apple Watch, VHF marine radio, whistle, compact air horn, etc.

Race Course

The Kalapaki to Kapaʻa course is 10 miles from start to finish. The forecast is promising southerly winds, which are predicted to increase midday on, so that the finish should offer good bump-riding conditions.

Race Finish

All paddlers are strongly advised to carefully study the entry into the channel and finish line where your time and place will be recorded.

The finish line will be next to the two small jetties at the mouth of the canal that enters the ocean in front of the Kapa’a Library.  The finish and haul out will be to the left of the LEFT jetty as you face the canal coming in.

There will be a small high-vis buoy marking the finish zone between the timers’ position on the jetty and a shallow reef nearby on the left of your canoe as the nose points towards the beach. 

Race Conditions

As this is a 10-mile open ocean course, please carefully consider your ability and present conditioning to make sure you are up to the paddle. Quite often on days like race day, you might be moving at roughly the speed of the following wind, and thus it is easy to get overheated. Make sure you have plenty of fluids with you, and perhaps put together your paddle outfit so that it is layered in a way that allows you to adjust to changing temperature.

Course is subject to change, and please be flexible and be on alert for updates! Mahalo…