New coach, same results for Lanikai Canoe Club.

The two-time defending O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion capped its unbeaten regular season by winning the John D. Kaupiko Regatta yesterday under first-year head coach and paddling icon Tom Conner.

"I'm glad we were able to pull it off," said Conner, whose club finished the regular season 5-0 in sanctioned races.

Lanikai captured the AAA (large club) division yesterday with 99 points, followed by Kailua (77), Outrigger (67), Hui Nalu (49) and Keahiakahoe (34) at calm and sunny Ke'ehi Lagoon.

Lanikai could have scored more, but it missed 15 possible points after three of its top teams — Mixed Novice B, Men Novice B and Men Freshmen — were disqualified or scratched because of rules violations and by the late arrival of a paddler.

"We keep plugging away," said Conner, whose club has nearly 500 members. "Hopefully, our depth of paddlers — even if we have some foul balls hit along the way — we still can prevail."

Hui Lanakila won the AA (medium club) division with 25 points, followed by Leeward Kai (14), Honolulu Pearl Club (8), Waimanalo (7) and Kai Oni (5). Anuenue and Pu'uloa Outrigger shared the A (small club) division title with one point each.

Teammates and rival clubs credited Conner for maintaining Lanikai's success. The 63-year-old, who has been involved in paddling for four decades, is hailed by peers as a solid communicator and organizer, and many are hopeful his Windward club can return the state title to O'ahu.

Lanikai finished second in the state last season behind Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui, which has won seven straight.

"Lanikai has good numbers, good people and good coaches," Kailua coach Kathy Erwin said. She called Lanikai a major contender in the Aug. 2 state regatta at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

Conner was the head coach at Outrigger in the late 1970s and has steered crews to 11 wins in the Moloka'i Hoe — the annual Moloka'i-to-O'ahu race.

"Tommy brings a lot to the table," Lanikai's Jim Foti said. "He's won the Channel more times than anybody. He's been on a lot of winning crews, and he's seen a lot of different winning strategies."

Yesterday, Lanikai continued its run, winning 11 out of 39 events it entered.

Lanikai won five of the 13 youth races, winning the Girls 12 and Girls 18-and-Under, the Boys 14 and Boys 18-and-Under, and the Mixed Boys and Girls 12.

The club also posted wins in the Sophomore Men, Senior Men and Men's Masters 40, along with victories in the Women Masters 60, Women Golden Masters 55, and Mixed Masters 40.

Conner said Lanikai is stronger and deeper this season.

"We're not depending on one aspect of the program to carry us," said Conner, whose club has qualified 37 of 39 crews for the state regatta as of yesterday. "We have strong crews right through the program."

Lanikai and Hui Nalu were the only two teams on the draw sheet to enter all 39 races yesterday.

"Paddling itself is cyclical," said Kailua assistant coach Kamoa Kalama, who has been involved in paddling for 40 years. "Lanikai has been around for a long time, so has Kailua, Hui Nalu, Outrigger. ... This is Lanikai's year. It's good for the association because the entire association will improve."

NOTE

Lanikai finished fourth in the unsanctioned Leeward Kai Father's Day Regatta on June 15. Lanikai and several other clubs dropped out due to dangerous surf.

HUI WA'A

Kane'ohe won the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta yesterday at Waikiki Beach. The club scored 64 points in the (large club) AAA division.

Waikiki Beach Boys captured the AA (medium club) division with 64 points, followed by Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (46), Lokahi (44), 'Alapa Hoe (30) and Kai Poha (18).

Manu O Ke Kai and Ka Mamalahoe shared the title in the (small club) A division with 30 points each.