By R. Vincent Tupaz
For Variety

THIS Saturday the waters around the Apra Harbor beaches in Piti will be full of action as the Marianas Paddle Sports Racing Association host the final series of the Spring ‘07 MOC1 Series.
The race takes place on the morning of Saturday, March 14 at the Port Authority Beach in Apra Harbor. The first race of the MOC1 series took place at Matapang Beach.
According to race director Rick Appleton the MPRA this event will feature sprint, slalom and novelty heats for OC1s, OC2s, kayaks and any other single or double people powered watercraft.
He added, “All age divisions will be hotly contested as well as men, women and mixed heats in the OC2 races. Canoes will be offered to all paddlers, included in the entry fees.”
Registration will start at 8:00AM, and the first heats will go at 9:00. Appleton added that the Port Authority Beach area has been reserved for the exclusive use of the paddlers and “is a wonderful pristine area to race in, well protected and with all amenities.”
According to Appleton, the first race in Tumon was a resounding success with paddlers from 5 years old up into the Golden Masters Division challenging each other in windy and choppy conditions.
During that race the Under 12 team of MPSRA’s “Team Magas” dominated both the Sprint and the Slalom heats of the OC1 season opening races at Matapang Beach. In that heat, twelve-year old Brooke Estes and nine-year old Morgan Leon Guerrero won both of their heats; while Andrew Rios and Tobias Estes won their age division races handily as well.
In the older divisions. “The Open and Master Men’s Divisions traded winners with Open Man Collin Smith of Animun Tasi sneaking in first in the Sprint while Master Tom Strohmeyer of Imua won the Slalom,” stated Appleton. “Woman’s Team SPG paddler Annie Leon Guerrero dominated her 2 races, posting times better than most of the men. Other strong performances were turned in by Novice Master paddler Leilani Appleton, being second overall in the Sprint and the Slalom and
Masters veteran Dick Soriano being the 2nd fastest male in the Sprints.”
“This Saturday, the weather pattern, tides and forecast look to be less challenging on the water, (than OC1) but with longer and tougher courses planned the paddlers will have to raise their efforts in order to place,” predicted Appleton. He explained, “The combined times from the two events will be added up, with medals awarded to the winners in each age division. A post race potluck and re-hydration session will finish the afternoon. “
Appleton said that the race series is a great gear up for the upcoming South Pacific Games. “Many of Guam’s top paddlers training for SPG are using these races, and the GKCF Sprint Championships on March 24 as tune ups and fitness tests to help make the crews going to Samoa,” he stated. Appleton invited interested parties to contact him at 688-6105 or email ‘ svcmgr@ite.net’.