Almost all of the Lanikai Canoe Club will get to go to Kaua'i this week for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta.

Lanikai registered a regatta-high 38 crews at yesterday's lane drawing.

The state championship regatta is scheduled for Saturday at Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i. Around 3,000 paddlers representing 57 clubs from around the state will participate.

The regatta will feature 39 races, so Lanikai will have an entry in all but one race.

"We're deeper this year, all the way around," Lanikai assistant coach Kalani Irvine said. "Our novice program, our women's program, our kids ... everybody stepped it up this year and I think it paid off in the number of crews we were able to qualify."

Kailua registered 36 crews, and six-time defending state champion Hawaiian from Maui registered 31.

Hui Nalu (29 crews) and Outrigger (28) are the only other clubs competing in the AAAA division for the biggest clubs in the state.

The state regatta uses a scoring system that rewards every crew. The first-place crew in each race receives 15 points, second gets 13, third 12, fourth 11, and so on down the line to one point for 14th (last) place.

"It's an advantage to have more crews at states," Irvine said. "But it's still up to our club to paddle our best on that day. There's no guarantees that you'll win just because you have the most crews. You still have to go out and perform."

Hawaiian head coach Diane Ho said: "I think Lanikai has to be considered the favorite. And kudos to them because they got all those crews qualified."

Hawaiian's six-year reign has been built primarily around its youth paddlers, but the strength of the club this year might be its open men and open women.

"Maui, as an association, offers tremendous competition," Ho said. "There were kids from other clubs that simply qualified ahead of us this year. It was so close all year."

For the first time, the state regatta will have four divisions for the clubs this year.

The AAA division will feature Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a champion Kane'ohe, Big Island champion Puna, Kaua'i champion Hanalei, and Maui runner-up Kahana.

The AA division will feature 18 clubs, and the A division will feature 28 clubs.

The state regatta is being held at Hanalei Bay for the first time since 2001. At yesterday's lane drawing, the higher-seeded crews opted to take the inside lanes, which are closer to shore and less susceptible to wind and currents.

"Every course has its little advantages," Irvine said. "Obviously, there's more wind the farther out you are. But for the most part, Hanalei is a fair course."

AAAA (21 CREWS OR MORE)

Lanikai (38), Kailua (36), Hawaiian (31), Hui Nalu (29), Outrigger (28).

AAA (13 TO 20 CREWS)

Kane'ohe (20), Kihei (19), Kahana (17), Hui Lanakila (16), Puna (16), Hanalei (13).

AA (7 TO 12 CREWS)

Healani (12), Kai E Hitu (12), Kai 'Opua (12), Keahiakahoe (12), Leeward Kai (12), Lokahi (12), Pu'uwai (12), Waikiki Beachboys (12), Kaiola (11), Na Molokama (11), Wa'akapaemua (11), Koa Kai (10), Lae'ula O Kai (10), Keauhou (9), Tui Tonga (9), Keoua (8), Niumalu (8), Waimanalo (7).

A (1 TO 6 CREWS)

'Alapa Hoe (6), Kalihi Kai (6), Waikiki Surf Club (6), 'Anuenue (5), Kai Oni (5), Kawaihae (5), Ka Mamalahoe (5), Keaukaha (4), Kukui O Moloka'i (4), Manu O Ke Kai (4), Hana (3), Napili (3), Kai Poha (3), Keola O Ke Kai (2), Honolulu Pearl (2), Kilohana (2), Na Kai Ewalu (2), Wailea (2), Kailana (2), Kamehameha-Hilo (2), Paddlers of Laka (2), Moloka'i (2), North Shore (2), Windward Kai (2), Makaha (1), Waikiki Yacht Club (1), Waikoloa (1), I Mua (1).

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.