ABBEY, STRICKLAND, KANIA FASTEST IN CALM CONDITIONS

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Calm seas, light winds and the presence of Hokule’a set a stunning stage but made for hot and heavy paddling for 125 entrants who raced the 17-mile Na Pali Coast course last weekend. While no records were broken due to the flat conditions, many came close to their best times from the first two years of the race. Kaeo Abbey & Mariko Strickland claimed SUP honors, while Hogan Kania & Erin Wascher won the traditional paddleboard division.

The Hokule’a Polynesian voyaging canoe moored close by overnight as racers and the Na Pali Coast ‘Ohana (guardians of the coast) celebrated with kava, food and good spirit on Friday night. Come the start on Saturday morning, the Hokule’a sailed north as racers headed west, making for a memorable start.

More than $15,000 and prize surfboards from Art In Surf and Tamba Surf Co. were awarded to top finishers in each category.

“The Na Pali coast is the best coastline in the world,” said Kaeo Abbey, who was the fastest of all finishers, paddling an SUP open class board. “It’s breathtaking. This race has the potential to be the best SUP race in the world. The prize money’s great, but what trumps all is the setting and the scenery. Awesome.”
TOP finishers:

Kaeo Abbey – men’s SUP open class – 2 hours, 45 minutes, 23 seconds
Mariko Strickland – women’s SUP open class – 3:13:02

Kirk Ziegler – men’s SUP 14-foot class – 2:51:26
Nicole Madosik – women’s SUP 14-foot class – 3:28:12

Hogan Kania – men’s stock paddleboard – 2:56:19
Erin Wascher – women’s stock paddleboard – 3:43:45

Ryan Foley – men’s SUP 12’6″ – 2:56:20
Natalia Smith – women’s SUP 12’6″ – 3:48:27 (youngest competitor at 16)

Nick Marvin – men’s Kauai style surfboard – 3:34:57
Lynn Ham Young – women’s Kauai style surfboard – 3:54:38

For complete results, please CLICK HERE.

Mahalo to all who supported and participated in the event.

Aloha!
Courtesy SupFari.net

RECORDS still stand:
Men’s Paddleboard: Hogan Kania (California) 2:55:09, 2011
Men’s SUP: Livio Manelau (HI) 2:22:30, 2010
Women’s Paddleboard: Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin (HI) 3:00:52, 2011
Women’s SUP: Mariko Strickland (HI) 3:09:17, 2011

OFFICIAL RACE WEBSITE:
www.NaPaliRace.com

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