Waimanalo Canoe Regatta, Portloc, Dinner at the Shack

Last summer my daughter, Sarah, joined a women's short-distance paddling team with the Hui Nalu Canoe Club. She absolutely loved it and in the fall did the Molokai with her long-distance team. What an incredible experience that was for her! Just to compete in such a race was quite an honor, one that she and her team had worked and trained hard for. Today I was finally able to see her race at Waimanalo.

The long, thin strip of beach was packed with racers of all ages and their families. It was truly impressive to see the amount of support these athletes had, the family members and friends they were surrounded by, who had come to cheer them on. We sat on the warm sand as each group of teams prepared and then raced. The waves were a bit choppy and some of the canoes flipped over. It was quite a process to turn them upright without swamping them. Sarah's team finally started out toward the seventh buoy and the half-mile race began! All of the racers paddled frantically jockeying for a spot in the lead in a field of 12 teams. It was exciting to see her canoe reach the finish line, making it in somewhere in the middle of the pack. After the race, the women on the team congratulated each other on a well-paddled race. The camaraderie this team shares was heartwarming to see. As her mom, it was extremely enjoyable to see Sarah involved in something that has meant so much to her!

Later today, we traveled up to Portloc to check the ocean swells that we'd been watching during the race. Portloc is a tiny ocean side community right outside of Hawaii Kai. Its stunning view of the thunderous waves crashing against the huge rock ledges is amazing to witness. We were not alone as we made our way along the pathway down to the rocks. Several had come to boogie board or surf these tumultuous waves! What a feat!

An excellent dinner on the deck at the Shack followed. With the tiki torches glowing in the background, the sounds of the water from the marina gently slapping against the boats at the dock, and in the company of friends and family, I felt like this was the most relaxed I had been in ages! Another perfect day!