OC1 Long Distance Championship

Hafa Adai, Aloha, Ali’i and Talofa!

This year MPRA has been selected to host the 2008 OC1 Long Distance Championship race. The date for the event is Saturday, May 10, 2008. We have elected to be creative this year, and not select the actual course until the Thursday afternoon before the event itself. This way we can choose the venue and course that will be the most FUN! In the past we have chosen a course way ahead of time, only to frequently have far better conditions at another part of the island on race day. We all want down swell, down wind, surfable paddling, and still be safe…so we'll look and see where the best chance to find that is and let everyone know on Thursday night or Friday morning. It can still change, but at least we have a better chance of playing rather than plodding.

We can promise that the course will be between 10 and 15 miles; it will be a run at least some of us have paddled before; we will offer entries in all divisions: Men/Women/Mixed/OC1/OC2/va'a/surf-ski; Open, Masters (+35), Senior Masters (+45), Golden Masters (+60); cool medals to the winners; a finishing award to sport proudly and plenty fun to be had and stories to tell!

Some possibles I've thought of are: Ritidian to Tumon, Inarajan to Merizo Pier, around Coco's, Paseo to Family Beach, Pago Bay to Inarajan. I'll happily accept inputs and suggestions on courses (for sea-horses), so reply or call me if you all have thoughts. Remember no U16s allowed in this one, leashes required on all OC1s, start training up now…brush the gecko tracks off all those beautiful boats that are gathering dust on the lanai and get ready to surf some.

Mahalo and Si Yu'us Ma'asse;

Rick Appleton
Phones; 477-7807, 789-0137