Waikiki to Koko Head and Return

Opening Day is a festival traditionally held by Yacht Clubs to mark the start of the sailing season. While we have great conditions year-round in Hawaii, most other Clubs throughout the world have storms, ice and short days that prohibit sailing during the winter season. On February 17^th, Waikiki and Hawaii Yacht Clubs held their ceremony, boat blessing, and parade followed by an inaugural race around Waikiki. 

The following day, skippers and crew assembled on their boats in the Ala Wai Harbor for the first Hawaii Yacht Racing Association (HYRA) event of the year. This was a 16-mile race from Waikiki around Diamondhead to the top of Maunaluna Bay and back. Conditions were breezy with winds touching 30 knots and rough with large wind waves. A few competitors had problems onboard and were forced to retire from the race but for those that made it up around the course, there was some good downwind surfing on the way back home. 

Although these Yacht Clubs organize these sailing events, that doesn’t mean other boat owners in the public harbors can’t participate. Competitors are welcome to come up from Keehi Lagoon and out from the Ala Wai Harbor to take part in the festivities and compete in the races for prizes and bragging rights. The Hawaii Yacht Racing Association (HYRA) welcomes any and all sailors to join the fleet on the water. You need not be a serious racer, as the cruising category is for those sailors whose goal is just to complete the course and wish to sail around the area with their friends and family to participate in the comradery of sailing. There are interisland cruises and other fun events that run throughout the year and HYRA maintains a live calendar on their website for easy viewing at the site link below. If you have any specific questions on how to get involved or you are looking for more information, please reach out to the HYRA President for 2024, Michelle Garcia <mgarcia808@gmail.com>.

https://www.hyra.us/

-

HYRA KOKOHEAD RACE OVERALL RESULTS

‍*DNF (Did Not Finish)

‍

See you on the water!

-Sean Doyle

‍