For a bunch of rookies, the Waikoloa mixed novice B crew put things together on the fly in the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association and only knew the feeling of gold.
The six first-timers (Gilberto Gonzales, Alli Gray, Josh Michaels, Monica Tarver, Tammy Ganancial, and Cavin Yap) sprinted to a 1:48.66 finish to in their quarter-mile race to claim an Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championship.
The crew also capped an unbeaten season and handily defeated Hui Wa’a O Waiakea’s 1:51.02 and Kai Ehitu’s 1:52.99.
Ganancial, the crew captain and steersman, credited head coach Ed Teixeira and coach Jun Balanga for emphasizing teamwork and timing.
If coach Ed has a familiar last name, that’s because he’s the former vice director of state Civil Defense. He joined the club in 1999 and took over as head coach last year.
Balanga is a long-time paddler, starting at 12 years old at Oahu’s Lanikai. He owns Hulakai Surf and Paddle at Mauna Lani. He’s also involved with the Hawaii Sailing Canoe Association.
“In a canoe, it’s all about timing,” she said. “And everyone has their job.”
Ganancial is the typical rookie. She never paddled in high school and the last time she was in a canoe was long ago.
“It was 25 years ago in a business men’s regatta in Kawaihae,” she said. “I got suckered into it by Monica. It all started out as fun.”
What are friends for anyway?
Ganancial hopped aboard, and then something special happened.
Waikoloa won its first race on May 19 at the Papa Kimitete regatta at Kailua Pier in 2:06.73, ahead of Kai Opua’s 2:07.21.
And Monica, Tammy, and friends kept on winning.
“From there, we started to get better. Every week, we practiced hard and worked together on race day,” Ganancial said. “Even when we had different paddlers fill in, we kept that undefeated streak going.”
Waikoloa heads into the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association championships with the fastest time in 1:44.91. Kai Ehitu is next at 1:49.08. Kamehameha is fourth in 1:49.73.
Another gold medal is dangling for the taking.
“I’m excited and nervous,” Ganancial said. “The goal is to have fun and get experience. The ultimate goal is to place. We’re all first-year paddlers and getting there is an achievement in itself.”
Undefeated crews
The unbeaten crews that also captured Aunty Maile/Moku O Hawaii championships are:
• Paddlers of Laka mixed 12.
• Kai Opua boys 16
• Kai Opua boys 18
• Kawaihae women freshmen
• Keaukaha men 60
• Puna women 50
• Puna men 50