Home | Current Schedule | Waiver | Lifeline Index | Links | Contact Us Windbag Regatta 2001
By
Kevin K.L. Ching DDSThe winds weren't as strong or as consistent as last year, but it didn't stop Dave Meredith and Marcus "Flash" Austin from tearing down the coast for a dominating finish. Fifteen kayakers braved the Small Craft Advisory to participate in this year's 3rd Annual Windbag Regatta.
"A couple of times the waves were helping us to go airborne!" declared Dave as he described the rough conditions outside the reef. There were some dead spots on the way down the coast, but Dave and Flash solved the problem by paddling their Ocean Kayak Malibu II just outside the impact zone. With Flash flying the kite overhead and Dave paddling in the stern, they bounced over the reef break. Close behind were Chris Barrs and Ian Fischer in their Spectrum Duo.
The start was staggered by group, and the "Traditional" Windbaggers started first. Dennis yelled over the radio, "Rusty, the first wave has started!" as the boats with single-lined kites, sails, umbrellas and rigged-up hammocks started. As I struggled with my rigging, Annette Rutty and Kristen Stressinger lifted their hammock high to catch as much wind as possible. The wind took a curious sudden downturn as we entered a dead spot, but Alan Calhoun kept paddling his Cobra Strike until the wind grabbed his 7.5 (sq ft) parafoil. Behind us were Sam and Elly Cucinell with their small sail and umbrella. Tim was torn between fishing and kite sailing and did a little of both. Paul Tibbetts was flying along in his Scupper Pro outside the reef, braving the wind and the south swell. As we approached Kuliouou, the wind turned north and Alan's kite was heading out to sea, right into the impact zone. Not wanting to battle kite lines in 4-foot surf, Alan stopped dead in the water and started to reel in his kite. I took advantage of the situation and leaped ahead.
When the second wave ("KiteYakkers" with high-performance kites) started, the two winning crews got up to speed quickly, but Marie Perri and Fabian Staehelin were having a hard time keeping their dual-lined kite in the air. "Joe Kool" (Joe Koehl, last year's co-winner) had a problem keeping his kite up as well, once he and partner Robbie Barrs got outside the impact zone. John Enomoto (last year's other co-winner) not only had a hard time keeping his kite up, but he also hulied several times. He was attempting to fly a dual-lined kite solo on a Scupper Pro.
The finish was great as everyone arrived safely. The wind was picking up at Waialae Beach Park, so Dave and Flash arrived before Gary could get their picture. Soon all the Windbaggers sailed in, one after another, and that ended a remarkable race.
(c) 2003 Hui Waa Kaukahi
Final Results: Group I: KiteYakkers: (multi-line, controllable kites) (we've got to think of a better name for this group - Ed.)
Name(s) Time Boat Rig Remarks 1 Dave Meredith/ Marcus "Flash" Austin 27m 55s O.K. Malibu II Naish 5m Power Kite Double kayak overall winner, overall best time and new Club Windbags 2 Chris Barrs and Ian Fischer 32m 53s Spectrum Duo Naish 4m Power Kite 3 Marie Perri and Fabian Staehelin 1h 26m 8s Cobra Tandem Naish 4m Power Kite 4 Joe Kool and Robbie Barrs 1h 42m 30s Spectrum Duo Naish 3m Power Kite 5 John Enomoto DNF O.K. Scupper Pro 2m KiteSurfer Group II: Traditional: Single-line kites and sails of any kind - umbrellas, bedsheets, whatevers, as well as manufactured sail rigs
1 Kevin Ching 51m 41s O.K. Scupper Pro 1.5m Deluge V-sail & .75m V-sail Single kayak overall winner, best Group II time 2 Alan Calhoun 57m 26s Cobra Strike 7.5 parafoil kite 3 Stan McRae 58m 17s Wilderness Systems Freedom 7.5 parafoil kite Excellent time, but disqualified for not sailing (gave up on kite and paddled) 4 Annette Rutty / Kristen Stressinger 1h 4m 46s Spectrum Duo Large cloth hammock, handheld Best time for Double in Group II 5 Tim Sawyer 1h 10m 31s O.K. Scupper Pro 7.5 parafoil kite 6 Paul Tibbetts 1h 16m 56s O.K. Scupper Pro 7.5 parafoil kite 7 Elly & Paul Cuchinell 1h 25m 44s Aire II Umbrella & handheld sail Best time for inflatable
Mahalo to course volunteers: Dennis Kees, Rusty Lillico and Linda Mae Onomoto
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