Hello Kialoa from The New Caledonia World Sprints

After 3 days of solid racing we are close to the end of the 2010 Sprints.
I personally have finished my run as a racer representing California and the United States.
I finished 52nd in the Open mens V-1 division, as well as 30th in the Master mens heats,
but I am most proud of my 3rd place finish in the Adaptive V-1 class. It earned me and my Kialoa paddle a Bronze Medal at the 14th World Sprints.
I was also lucky enough to be the only American flag hoisted at today's awards.
(the majority went to Tahiti, what a shock!)
More updates with photos coming up next entry.

Thanks
Greg Crouse

StandUp4GreatBear Expedition with Norm Hann

385KM STAND UP PADDLEBOARD EXPEDITION COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

StandUp4GreatBear Expedition from Kitimat to Bella Bella Welcomed by Hundreds
of Supporters

Bella Bella, B.C.– May 19th 2010 - Squamish resident Norm Hann has completed what many thought was impossible. His 385km Stand Up Paddleboard expedition through Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest started in the Haisla Village of Kitimat, B.C on May 8th, and ended yesterday in the Heiltsuk village of Bella Bella, where he was greeted by a large gathering of local residents, including school children, hereditary chiefs, elders and other community leaders. With stops in Hartley Bay, Klemtu and as far west as the Moore Islands, the expedition helped bring awareness to the environmental threat the proposed Enbridge oil pipeline and tanker traffic will have on the Great Bear Rainforest, its people and wildlife. Hann also visited a number of vital food harvesting sites for First Nations, which are at risk from potential oil spills. The expedition served to galvanize support amongst coastal residents in opposition to the proposed oil tanker route.

“It was an incredible journey. The weather allowed us to visit wild and remote places rich in wildlife and traditional foods. This expedition confirmed how special and rare this coastal environment really is. First Nations from Kitimat to Bella Bella expressed how valuable their natural resources are to their livelihood and sense of place. They were in full 100% support of not having oil tankers on our coast. Our team was honoured to be welcomed into their communities and we were fortunate to have their guidance throughout our trip.”

Hann runs Mountain Surf Adventures in Squamish and has been a professional outdoor guide in the Great Bear Rainforest for ten years and is very connected to the land and its people. As a fishing, kayaking, wildlife and bear viewing guide he has introduced people from all over the world to the Great Bear Rainforest.

Post via Norm Hann's Press Release May 12, 2010

Contact Norm Hann for more info

1st Day of Races In New Caledonia

Cheryl Skribes of Team Canada is keepiing us updated on the antics in New Caledonia.

hey everyone, we had a our first day of racing in new cal. that adreneline pump is always good to get out of the way that first race.

it is a bit disorganized to say the least! not sure what is happening but there is all kinds of rumours flying around. we started 3 hours late and did not get through the whole days schedule. it was a bit frustrating with some long long waits. hopefully today they have it sorted out.

the canadian team did well yesterday. the girls qualified for open and masters V12 finals and leanne z. and kamini won their heats in the open V1 and will advance directly to the semis. leanne s. finished second, also advancing to the semis and helen and chelsey finished 3 and 4 in some very tough heats. those two will be heading for the reps to hopefully secure a spot in the semis.

the kiwis and tahitians are looking strong through all categories. the aussies are looking great in all the older categories. the hawaiians have a small team and so far have not really been a force but i am sure that will change as they start to race the V6 events which start tomorrow. things are going to heat up for sure in the finals today in the V12.

the canadian men are putting in solid performances. The tahitian men are really dominating this event so far.

well it looks to be another calm day of racing. i better get out there.

cheryl

ps. last night we had dinner at a place over the water. as we munched on our beautiful seafood we watched the reef sharks and manta rays swim beneath us.

World Sprints in New Caledonia are kicked off

Cheryl Skribes from Team Canada is representing at the 2010 World Sprints and is keeping us informed on the antics in New Calidonia.

hi everyone,

the canadians have arrived! and so have the tahitians, kiwis, aussies, hawaiians, samoans, rapa nuians, french, italians and the list goes on. the flight was long but it is very exciting now that we are finally here.

yesterday we had our first practice session and it went remarkedly well with normal trade winds blowing. the wind is definately going to be challenging, but as all us cdn steersmen decided it will make for some very good racing!

today however it is a different story.......it is blowing a gale and pounding rain and i have watched in the past 1.5 hours the wind move from a direct head wind to a honking side wind to what seems to be a normal trade wind direction but with such gusto it should liven things up quite a bit in the 'lets stay on course' department!! oh well that is racing and if it were easy then it just wouldnt be that fun.

some funny moments so far.........the italians arrived in fine 'fashion'. the boys had their shirts tucked into their speedos. the guys from calgary just couldnt get over it and wouldnt stop talking about it or starring at them. us girls were starting to worry a bit about but when we mentioned the calgary boys obsession they just spewed out a bunch of swear words and assured us real men dont wear speedos!

yesterday afternoon including a bit of fun and frivolity at the local pub including as you might guess some drinking games. for the most part the canadians behaved (for the exception of a few spouses) for the sake of our upcoming races.......but judging from what we saw in the competition at the bar as i appeard that many other countries didnt seem to be holding back......that canoe race in the bar is the one the canadians are sure to win once the serious part of the competiton is over!

well gotta fly. we have an early morning practice then the opening parade and ceremonies to follow. hope mother natures settles down for our 45 min walk in the parade to the place of celebration (45 min is a long parade dont you think when we are in a full tropical storm!!) cheryl

Purelight Races

Aloha,
Our team Purelight, have been very fortunate to be able to use Kialoa paddles, in our practice and races. Being an adaptive paddler, the challenges are many. I personally had to adapt my paddle to work with my artificial arm, changing the shaft and the t-top to accommodate my hook prosthesis. These changes took many hours of trial and error, a lot of patience,and a strong paddle to accept the pressure we put onto it.
We were awarded by winning gold in all events, in the adaptive category, two yrs ago at the world sprints. Also the Molokai Challenge, Lililiokulani, and the Henry Ayau races,we competed in the last two years.
We are in the process of updating our Kialoa paddles to the latest design. And look forward to many more races in the future, and hopefully more progressive adaptations. See you on the water.... Mahalo Kialoa, Darralyn Clarke

Aloha! Dave

In 2008, I joined the Pure Light Racing Team in Honolulu, HI to participate in the Henry Ayau and the Molokai Hoe Canoe Long Distance Races. Being a resident on the island Maui, makes it difficult to practice on Oahu with Pure Light. Aka Hemmings, Head Coach of Pure Light encouraged me to join a canoe club on Maui to continue my practice time, and he loaned me one of the team's Kialoa paddles.

I have have been with Kihei Canoe Club in Kihei, Maui for the pas two years. This past weekend I paddled with Kihei in the Hana Canoe Club, "Sarah Jo Memorial Regatta" to start the 2010 Maui canoe season.

Again Mahalo Nui Loa, Dave.....

Karl Kahui
Wailuku, Maui

Mahalo Dave!

Kialoa powered Pure Light Racing to Gold at the World Sprints in Sacramento and helped our all adaptive crew become the first to finish the world famous Molokai Hoe. Mahalo for your support!