Popoi’a Swim My First Swim/Race

I participated in the Popoi’a Swim, a 1.5 mile swim around Popoi’a Island (Flat Island) off shore from Kailua Beach. Many swam the event as a timed race. I used a mask, fins and snorkel to do the race. (Yes, it was allowed, but you can't win any of the prizes.)  Lisa, my wife, a former cheerleader and my all the time cheerleader was there to support me and that was very cool. 

 This was the first time trying an organized swim race, and I had fun. Not knowing how I would do worried me a little and Lisa, even more worried, suggested that I just do the 1/2 mile course, not the mile and half course. When the race instructions were given, I thought I understood how both courses were marked.  

My uncle Boy was surprised to see me when I said good morning. He is a life long swimmer and was in good shape for the race. I asked him about the race and route. He shared with me that depending on the swells you may not be able to see the yellow swim buoy, so I should use other points of reference like the flat island. I asked him, if he was going to wear the swim cap. He said yes, so Lisa ran back to the car to get the gold cap that was in the race bag that they gave us at sign up. I slipped it on and jogged back to the beach.

As I entered the water about 5 minutes before the start of the race, I let my body get used to the temperature of the water as my dad had taught me as a child.  I cleaned my mask with spit and a leaf from Beach Naupaka. I looked at the line up in the water and I guessed it to be at least 200 plus swimmers, from young kids to very tan seniors. There were a lot of people. I could see the lifeguards on jet skis with water rescue sleds, kayaks, and tanker boards with handles. I knew if I got in trouble I could be rescued, and  I also knew I sure did not want that to happen. 

As the air horn signaled the start of the race, I knew two things: 1) I did not want to be last; and 2) I wanted to finish.  I started out at very slow pace, not wanting to get tired out and not be able to finish. I looked around me and could only see about 10 people. What was going on, was I that slow? Was I so far off course? Not being sure was a little worrisome, but I got my bearing and started to add a little more speed. Swimming against the current and into waves slows you down as you need to spit out the salt water.

I was happy to see a few fish and was pretty sure I saw a octopus den, although I wanted to investigate the hole to see how big the guy was, I had to remind myself that I was in a race. My mind was turned off from most of the other distractions of life such as work, bills, and mortality. I wondered how funny it would be to grab the octopus and finish the race with it stuck to my swim cap. I don't think I would have taken him from such an over fished area, but it was fun to think about. The only thing keeping track of time was the timing chip velcro around my ankle. I completely forgot I was is a timed race for a little while.


I'm guessing it was about half way to the first buoy I thought I should just do the short course. I was trying to recall what the race guy said. I think it was you go to the first buoy then back along the shore. Now there were only 6 people near me that I could see among the early morning chop that was starting to develop. The second buoy started to get closer, and I thought to myself that I would try to  at least finish the short course without having to quit. As I reached the buoy I saw a big pile of swimmers and I knew I was not last yet. As I rounded the buoy I saw no one going back to shore. Wait a second! Great now I have to do the whole mile and a half, or quit.  Now I'm on the back side of the island and the swells are forming waves with crests and the surge is moving you about 8 feet with each wave closer to the shallow reef that surrounds the island.

View Popoi'a Swim Michael's Route in a larger map
A lifeguard on a rescue paddle board points to the next mark and a swimmer grabs the board and rests. I put my head down and kick and stroke hard to get out of the impact zone. Many of the swimmers kept way out of this area I was in, but to me I was in my element now. I knew the sets and could feel the timing. And then it happened as I was powering over the top of a wave, CRAMP! Next time eat some bananas! As I gripped my fin and pulled the cramp away, I could still feel it wanting to come back so I used my arms only for a bit to let my body adjust. The next buoy came up fast as I rounded it.  A lifeguard called out to everyone, to head for the stream and pointed down wind, it took me a second and then I knew what he was saying. I felt a huge wave grab me and toss me forward.

I could see the shore and looked for Lisa in her white shirt. I could not see her and was worried that she did not see me and was just as worried. I put my head down and started to pour on the power as each wave grabbed me I eased off then took off as the force of the forward motion took off. As the surf eased off I looked down and saw a snorkel in good shape. "SCORE!," I thought as I stopped swimming and dove down to grab it. I thought it was so cool as I emptied the sand and checked the condition. It was a cheap one, but still very useable. I held it in one hand and just used my fins to propel me. And then I thought what the hell are you doing, drop the $5 Kmart used snorkel and use your arms. "HA," I laughed at myself again.  I passed the second from the last mark and headed for the finishing buoy when a women came flying by me.  I thought, "darn what's the rush, you can see the finish line." I continued to kick and pulled along at a leisurely pace. 

I looked for Lisa and saw her right in front of the trees where I last saw her at the start of the race. She was scanning the water looking for me, I waved to her and did my "ok" signal that I knew she knew, but she did not see it. I thought of yelling her name, but thought the lifeguards might come and check on me. So I swam some more and then looked up and gave the the "ok" sign and she waved back, VERY COOL. 

When I took the final turn it then dawned on me this was a race and I had a timing chip. I was in about 7 feet of water and looked up and saw the timing clock at 56:04:05 or something close to that and then thought, Michael, let's get going and finish this in less than an hour. Once I could stand I tore my fins and mask off and ran up the beach, I was sprinting towards the finish. My time was 57:17.157 when I crossed the line and the timing chip recorded my finish. I looked around for Lisa as I tried to catch my breath and slow my heart rate down. I did it!


Mahalo to Jon Wong for shooting some of the photo! 

Events: 1.5 mile swim around Flat Island OR 1/2 mile swim along the buoys.

Course: Starts and finishes at Kailua Beach Park behind Kalapawai Market. The 1.5 Mile course circles Popoi’a Island. The 1/2 mile course is parallel to Kailua Beach along the buoys.

Awards: 1.5 Mile Swim: Top 3 finishers, male and female, in standard 5 year age groups, and overall winners. 1/2 Mile Swim: First place, male and female, in standard 5 year age groups.

Equipment:  Goggles, face masks and snorkels are permitted. Swimmers with fins are invited to participate but will not be eligible for awards.

Big Mahalo to the Kailua Masters Swim Club.