LOCAL paddler Wes Byrnes is celebrating a podium finish at the world’s biggest outrigger canoe race after finishing third at the Molokai Hoe in Hawaii.
In an outstanding result for Australian paddling, Byrnes and his composite crew mates from Sydney took bronze in the master men’s division, completing the 72km course in five hours and 34 minutes.
Several members of the Port Macquarie Maroro Outrigger Club tuned in to the first ever live stream of the event to watch their coach compete in the race.
Club president Kim Roberts said the third placing was a phenomenal result against the most powerful crews from around the world.
“We are enormously proud of what Wes and his team have achieved,” Robert said.
“I can‘t imagine how excited and relieved he would be feeling right now.
“He has basically dedicated himself to this race for the past two years, while also doing a great job as head coach of our club, so we’ll be celebrating hard when he gets home.”
Roberts said the race was run in gruelling conditions.
“The commentators frequently mentioned the extremely hot temperatures, and there was very little swell to help the paddlers along so it would have been a tough slog,” she said.
“Not that Wes will be feeling too much pain at the moment. We’re just thrilled for him.”
More than 100 crews competed in this year’s Molokai Hoe, with a Tahitian crew again taking line honours.
Byrnes’ crew was 14th across the line overall.
The 61-year-old race takes paddlers from Molokai Island to Oahu, finishing at Wakiki Beach in Honolulu.
