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SOCC lines up more events
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Posted on May 12 2008
The Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club are showing no signs of slowing down as they are preparing for two or three more events that they will either be doing or competing in for the year.
SOCC member and 3rd Tinian Crossing organizer Richard Sikkel, who is one of the brains behind the annual Tinian Crossing, said they are first preparing for the third Dragon’s Triangle Challenge on June 7 when they will again circumnavigate the island of Saipan.
According to the SOCC website, the Dragon Triangle is a 36-mile change-out race around the island of Saipan passing through the waters of the Devil’s Sea.
SOCC also plans to join the Molokai Hoe but that will depend on the funding but they are definitely going to Guam to defend their title in the annual Micro Cup in October this year. SOCC is aiming for its third straight crown.
Sikkel, who also competed in other outrigger canoe races in Australia, is fresh from successfully organizing the Tinian Crossing where they made their third successful crossing in record-breaking fashion last week.
SOCC paddlers returned from Tinian and reached Kilili Beach Park in three hours and 14 minutes to break their last year’s record of 3:33. The 3:14 is also five minutes longer than their Day 1 crossing going to Tinian at 3:09.
The SOCC paddlers that joined Sikkel in the crossing were Jim Sirok, Gil Birnbrich, Cooper Schraudenbach, Rita Bonici, Sonny Downer, Leon Leonard, Dave Palacios, and Brian Eckert.
Tinian senator Jude Hofschneider also joined SOCC in their paddle going to Tinian to join his constituents in time for the celebration. Rob Jordan, Eric Lister, and Joe Przyuski were on the chase boats captained by Dan Westphal and Morito Asai.
The 40-mile, two-day challenge took place during the San Jose Fiesta on Tinian where they paddled from Saipan to Tinian and back. The trip back on the second day was slightly tougher due to the fatigue of the previous day.
The channel is between Saipan and Tinian with its illusive and dreaded whirlpool, which is the most challenging part of the crossing. Paddlers went against the wind and swells in the second day of the crossing.
