Mahalo to all paddlers who came to support the Toys for Tots Race.  It was the first of its kind, and paddlers showed how much they care about our keiki by donating all kinds of cool toys for Christmas.  It will be very much appreciated and we are looking forward to making this an annual event.

The Hawaii Kai RUN turned into a Hawaii Kai WALK, as the tradewinds decided to take a vacation on race day, and we ended up with hot, brutal course.  This forced paddlers to do exactly what they hate to do the most...PADDLE.  That had no bearing on Tapari'i Worthington though, as he ducked inside the surf line and cut through Old Man's surf break to the finish at Kaimana beach, becoming the first ever Toys for Tots OC1 PA'A Champion!  Congrats also to Jane McKee who won the women's OC1 division after overtaking Claire Townsend who decided to go bodysurfing for a bit before getting back to her canoe and crossing the finish line.  As for the SUP and Pdlbrds, they were all nails!  Who would think of paddleboarding on a day with such miserable conditions?  Big Props!

"When the wave breaks here, don't be there, or you gonna get drilled!" -- In the end, entertainment would come from the rising NW swell that was occasionally closing out our finish line channel.    After grinding it out all the way from Hawaii Kai, lucky paddlers dropped in on well-deserved waves which took them straight across the finish line.

Big mahalo to our staff and last minute back safety boat.

Mahalo to 'Umeke Market, Ramee, and Judi for styling us out with all kinds of goodies and a delicious salmon and meatloaf lunch plate.  Mahalo to Maui Jim for putting up shades which went to Jane McKee after she beat out the whole field in a Jan Ken Po match.  Congratulations again to Tapa Worthington who didn't stop at winning the event, but also decided to win the brand new Makana Ali'i prototype blade in the final Jan Ken Po match.

Happy Holidays, and see you all at the January 2nd Holiday Burnoff Race at The Shack in Hawaii Kai