The Kai Elua Outrigger Canoe Club of Mission Bay hosted the 2006 Ironman Championships on Saturday, June 24, with approximately 150 boat participating in the three races: novice and keiki (kids), women and co-ed and the men’s race to finish off the afternoon.
The route varied depending on the water conditions, but the longest race was the men’s, which started at the North Jetty and turned out to sea after passing Crystal Pier. The guys paddled back to the bay from about five miles out to complete their 18-mile paddle.
The winning boat in the men’s was the Lanakila team from Redondo Beach, with the Outrigger Team California (master’s division) from both Newport and San Diego right behind them. One of the Kai Elua boats came in eighth, the highest for a local open division team.
In the novice race, the Kai Elua boat won, with four more local boats in the top 10. Lanakila took top honors in the women’s division as well, with Kai Elua again the top local boat, coming in fourth.
Outrigger canoeing began as the mode of transportation between islands in Polynesia. Canoes were constructed from a hollowed out Koa tree with an outrigger attached to keep the canoe from tipping.
For more information visit www.socaloutrigger.org.