May 10, 2016
Media Contact:
Jim Therrian
jtherrian@imuafamily.org
808-214-4386
www.paddleimua.com
Kahului, Maui, HI – Blue skies were absent for the Fifth Annual BLUESMTIHS Paddle Imua (BPI), but that didn’t phase athletes who showed up to race and support Maui’s kieki with special needs. BPI is the fastest growing multiple discipline ocean paddle “fun race” open to men and women of all ages. Categories include Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), One Person Outrigger Canoe (OC1), Two Person Outrigger Canoe (OC2), Prone Paddleboard (paddling on knees or lying down) and Surf Ski (narrow lightweight kayak).
This one-of-a-kind mission-based race follows the renowned Maliko Downwind Run and directly benefits Imua Family Services’ Camp Imua program, which provides a camp experience to Maui’s children with special needs. Camp Imua is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer. The race began at 1pm from Maliko Gulch after the mandatory safety briefing and blessing with over 150 athletes entering the ocean with wind and intermittent rain. The first racers began to cross the finish line at the Hawaiian Canoe Club around 2:30pm to a cheering crowd and receiving a lei greeting from keiki who attend Camp Imua.
BLUESMITHS Paddle IMUA Official Results
Full results are available HERE
Men’s OC1
- Felipe Gomes
- Ryan Murphy
- Quinn Whiteford
Women’s OC-1
- Catherine Deboni
- Lisa Fanning
- Thersea Felgate
Men’s OC-2
Junya McGurn Team (with Dave Kalama)
Women’s OC-2
Michelle Cerizo Team
Mixes Age Group OC-2
- Kristina Dougherty Team
- Marian Frank Team
- Stephen Ross Team
Men’s PDB Prone
- Nicholas Franco
- Hogan Kania
- George Foster
Women’s PDB Prone
- Christine Corey
Men’s Surf Ski
- Michael Owens
- Eric Rolozcski
- Doug Ruppenthal
Men’s SUP 12’
- Alex Mawae
- Searay Beltran
- Royle Taogoshi
Men’s SUP 14’
- Bullet Obra
- Bart De Zwart
- Ryan Funk
Women’s SUP 14’
- Fiona Wylde
- Shanna Upton
- Alyssa Joy
Men’s UNL SUP
- James Casey
- Jeremy Riggs
- Sam Parker
Women’s UNL SUP
- Sonni Hoenscheid
- Devin Blish
- Jenn Biestman
The race was followed by an ‘Ohana Festival with entertainment provided by the Old Lahaina Luau, prize draws, Grom Camp, SIC Maui Relay and food trucks by Teddy’s Bigger Burgers and Like Poke. Trophies were given to the top three finishers in each division and included a special honor going to John Smalley of Bluesmiths Waterwear, who has been the Title Sponsor since its inception and has helped to make a success year after year.
Event sponsors included Zevenbergen Capital Investment, Nuestro Futuro, Aloha Aina Center, Maui Jim, SIC Maui/Flow Sports, Rising Sun Solar, Aloha Mixed Plate, Maui Brew Co., Hawaiian Canoe Club, Velocitek, Deep Relief, Elite Physical Therapy, Sporting Club of The Pacific, Alaska Airlines, Old Lahaina Luau, KeNalu, Goodfellows and Ozolio.
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Photos courtesy of Bluesmiths Crafted Waterwear
About Camp Imua: June 12-16, 2016
Camp Imua is a FREE week-long recreational summer camp that gives school-age children with special abilities an opportunity to try new activities and interact with 50 unique connect with each other and peers in their community. Over 150 high-school volunteer caregivers campers whom they may have otherwise never met. Camp Imua also serves as a respite opportunity for families and caregivers of these children.
About Imua Family Services
Since 1947, Imua Family Services has provided comprehensive early childhood development resources to children and their families, helping them to achieve their full potential in life. Imua Family Services is engaged in family-centered, community based, therapeutic services including Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Special Instruction. www.imuafamilyservices.org
Title Sponsor: BLUESMITHS Crafted Waterwear
Bluesmiths makes the hardest working, most versatile waterwear and accessories in the world. Based in Maui, a real-time research and development lab, everything made is the result of rigorous testing by a small but accomplished team of ocean athletes, pioneers and watermen. At Bluesmiths, the commitment is to real innovation & problem solving, best-in-class fabrics, timeless styling and uncompromising manufacturing standards. www.bluesmiths.com
Fun Facts:
Top Ocean athletes that have participated include: Dave Kalama, Devin Blish, Andrea Moller, Connor Baxter, Sonni Hönscheid, Livio Menelau, Julia Mancuso, Jeremy Riggs, Dane Ward, Kody Kerbox, Travis Baptist and Paige Alms.
BLUESMTIHS Paddle Imua follows the famed Maliko Run, a 10 mile downwind run off Maui’s North Shore.
BLUESMTIHS Paddle Imua is the ONLY paddle benefit race of its kind in the state of Hawaii, offering SUP, OC1, and prone paddle boarding on a single day.
BLUESMTIHS Paddle Imua participants gather from near and far including: Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Brazil, New Caledonia, New Zealand, England and the U.S. mainland.
Camp Imua attendees welcome race finishers with fresh flower lei, a traditional Hawaiian offering.
BLUESMTIHS Paddle Imua has been Nominated “Top Philanthropic Effort” for 2014 and 2015 at Sup the Mag’s SUP Awards.