Hanalei Bay hosted Namolokama Canoe Club's third annual open water swim on July 25th.  More than 160 swimmers, some from as far as Maine, participated making it the event's largest turnout yet. Namolokama Canoe Club began hosting the annual swim in 2007 as a club fundraiser and community service. 
Participants set off from Hanalei Pier after the blessing from Naomi Yokotake and her conch shell blower from the North Shore.  Local artist, Koko Kanealii emceed throughout the morning.
Matthew Ross and Jacquelyn Bencic placed first among the nearly 60 men and women who competed in the mile race, while Elena Zanone and Jeff Maddox were overall winners in the two-mile event.  Aaron Pigott and Sophie Britzmann were half-mile winners.  Sophie said that,” It was a blast” for doing her first rough water swim. Her dad completed the one mile race, also.
Age-group event winners were Dutch Fairbanks, Sarah Keith for 8 and Under, Bryson Baligad, and Hanna Landry for
9-12. Hanna stated,” I’m glad I did it; I’m so surprised I did so well”.  She is from Riverside, California.
Among the prominent participants was Judy Lenthall from Kauai Food Bank, and Olympic Games-Tokyo gold medalist, Dick Roth, who said, "It was great to have the chance to congratulate both the first and last youth swimmer across the finish line".  He was sorry that he came in behind, Palo Luckett, Namolokama's President, but he plans on finding a new coach and training harder for next year's event. Additionally, a large contingent of swimmers attended from Swim Kauai Aquatics.  Namolokama Canoe Club members, volunteers, our major sponsor, BarAcuda Restaurant, and other North Shore businesses along with Jamba Juice and YMCA helped to make this a successful event. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Kauai Food Bank.
At the completion of the events, awards were presented to the top three male/female swimmers in each event and by age groups by Representative Mina Morita and our novice paddlers.

(Look for times for all participants at namolokama.com site)

This was truly a community event with many participating from all over the island.  We thank those who volunteered and hope to continue the event for many years.  Look at our website for the upcoming date in 2010.

Mahalo to all of you--Barbara Smith