Six teams namely Palau Community College team 1 and 2, Captain Crunch, Mix Plates, Coco Puffs, and Team 39ers registered for the weekend canoe sprint challenge at the wonderful beaches of Riptide, Malakal where teams composed mostly of young developing talents budding to be one of the best paddlers on the island.
After series of heats and time trials for the six teams, the finals for the 500 meter went down among three remaining top teams where team PCC finished first with 3 minutes and 31 seconds and 83 millisecond which is 3 millisecond ahead by a trailing team, Mix Plates, who came in with 3:31:86 followed by third place winner, Captain Crunch at a time of 4:11:49.In other race, team 39ers showed their toughness as they clocked in at 1 minute 33 seconds and 17 milliseconds to gain top spot for the 250 meter sprints. Chasing them was team Mix Plate who concluded the race with 1:34:73 to grab second place while being pursued by Captain Crunch’s time of 1:37:99 to settle for third place.Sprint races for mix teams continues next weekend, Saturday 26th of September where prizes and trophies awaits for winning team. This time it is going to be Middle Distance Sprint where the registration fee still pegged at $50.00 per crew of 9 paddlers (mix team) having not more than 3 men in a canoe during a race.In the meantime, Canoe activities for September and October 2009 are as follows; Annual Independence Day Race for V6 October 2nd (Friday) morning – Koror Side at the BridgeMen & Women Divisions Sprints as more information will be sent out by the end of this week, also on October CAP will host two more sprint races prior to Micro Cup Weekend in Saipan while long distance challenge will be offered for paddlers around mid October, and in preparation for the 2010 Micronesian Games training and selection process to represent the national teams is now open and practices at RIPTIDE, whereas, learn to steer and learn how to steering, discussions on canoe parts, learn how to tie canoes, talk and sharing of experience for paddlers at Riptide Beach Area with Senior Paddlers and Coaches and learn more about Canoe/paddle sport in Palau and its Activities are still ongoing every Wednesday starting at 4:30p.m. – 5:30p.m. at Riptide Beach Area.For more information about the canoe national teams call – Baklai Temengil 488-6562 or Women Coach Debbie Toribiong 587-3498 or 488-1944 at and Men’s Coach Alonz Moses at 779-7754.
