Na Pali Challenge 2024

The annual Na Pali Challenge was held on Saturday, August 10th. We couldn't have hoped for better weather and conditions. As is always the case, conditions ranged from surfable swells to glassy flat water. Because the difference in conditions along the course is primarily the result of wind, some areas of the course were cool and breezy and others were hot and still. Although I feel some sympathy for the crews in the canoes during the still areas along the southern Na Pali and into Polihale, I heard not a single complaint. Instead, the only comments I heard all day were how much fun it was!
Because I spend plenty of time watching what goes on behind the scenes of a race like the Na Pali Challenge, I know the incredible amount of work it takes to produce an event like this. There just aren't enough mahalo's available to properly thank the key members of the Kauai paddling community for everything they've done to make this year's race possible. It's guaranteed that I'm going to miss at least a few people who should be called out here - especially those at individual clubs that wouldn't have been able to participate without the people who managed the registrations - but, a special MAHALO NUI LOA goes out to the following individuals:
Peter Chow - KOA President, ultimately responsible for everything. I know he wants to retire from acting as president but I can't think of anyone who'd be better at the job.
Tenley Ueda - KOA Treasurer and timing magician. Her ability to keep everything sorted out and running smoothly is the stuff of legends.
Mark Jacobsen - KOA Race Director. I don't have enough characters allowed still in the description to properly cover his role so, just "thank you for all you do, Mark."
Elle Miyake - we had shelter at the finish and really good food to eat because Elle made it happen. While I was enjoying Kalua Pork, I realized she's one of my hero's 🤩
Carrie Shewchuk - KOA Race Secretary. This year was the first season to use an online registration system that was custom developed by Banyan Media (thebanyanteam....) specifically for the Na Pali Challenge. There's nobody on this island who would have done a better job getting all the teams completed and approved so they could participate. I heard so many compliments from people who had to interact with her during the process that it started to get old. Just kidding - I never get tired of hearing people compliment another.
Finally, many thanks to Puna Dawson who was generous enough to come and speak to us before the race started. Even more, she gave me some of the best video I've ever recorded when she agreed to speak directly to me after the pule. I've done quite a few recorded interviews and I've never been able to use one, unedited, that was longer than 10 seconds or so. Her recording near the beginning of this video has other clips overlayed for visual interest but has not a single cut from beginning to end. I'm in awe of her ability to simply speak wisdom. Aunty Puna, I hope that whatever it is about you that makes that possible is infectious and many more of us catch it. Just a few more of us like you could change the world.

[@BradStyron]

Awesome video!

[@koapaddler]

@@BradStyron Totally stoked to have you comment on my video, Brad. I’ve been keeping an eye on your work too and really like it. I hope we can meet someday and share some ideas.

[@BradStyron]

@@koapaddler mahalo!!! I had a blast at this race, I didn’t film much at all but will be posting what I got soon. I love talking anything photography so let’s gooo!

[@axl2766]

0:59 hell yeah! 1st place WYC Jnrs 🤙

[@axl2766]

9:32