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Malia Dominates Sprint #1 Lake NatomaJune 6, 2010Hawaii has their "Koa" only regatta to pay respect to the gorgeous koa canoe. The NCOCA, as a sign of respect and tradition, has the "Malia" to pay homage to the birth of California outrigger racing. As outrigger lore goes, "Malia" was one of 3 Hawaiian canoes that came to California in 1959 for the inaugural Catalina Crossing. But it was the "Malia" who was a champion since her very early beginnings. She was purchased by the Waikiki Surf Club from the Dad Center in 1948 for $2000. Still pricey considering it was 62 years ago. Today a new racing hull is about $10,000. While in the Surf Club fleet "Malia" soundly won a large majority of the HRCA sprint regattas between 1950 and 1959. In open ocean, "Malia" was even more comfortable winning the prestigious Molokai Hoe for Waikiki Surf Club four times and earning 2nd place honors three times in the first seven years of the Molokai Hoe. Though Malia is being replaced by new faster and modern designs, it is "Malia" and her decedents that have graced California and the U.S. Mainland with both her beauty and champion spirit. Malia gave birth to expanding our sport across the globe. Thus it was nice to see the NCOCA "Malia" canoes out on the beach at Lake Natoma, she conjures up memories for many of our veteran members, including one of our current NCOCA Board Member who raced the Malia in Molokai…it what was probably the last Molokai Hoe for the "Malia." Our Malia fleet is aging, but it's doing so very gracefully thanks to the care and devotion our NCOCA clubs have for her. Special thanks to O'Kalani for bringing 2 freshly refurbished Malia - "Ohana" and "Makani Kai". "Ohana was one of the original canoes for O Kalani and built by the club with the help of one of the founders of the club Roy Ching. "Makani Kai" was built by Jerry Montgomery in Sacramento from the same mold in the early eighties. Lastly many thanks to Hui O' Sacramento for hosting Sprint #1 y'all did a great job! Results for "Malia" Sprint #1 is posted at www.ncoca.com Mahaloz, Bernie Bernal NCOCA President |
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