Pure Light Racing Competes in the 18-mile Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Race

Over the 2008 Labor Day weekend, the Pure Light Racing team took part in the Queen Lili'uokalani Race in Kailua-Kona. This 18-mile endurance long distance race on Saturday started at Honaunau and finished at Kailua Bay. The mixed crew finished the race, complete with water changes, in 2:31:33, beating many men's crew boats across the finish line. On Sunday, the crew competed in the double hull event, with 12 paddlers from Pure Light Racing participating in the 5-mile event. The team received roars of welcome as they finished each of the races and set another benchmark for adaptive paddling around the world.

Pure Light Racing Captures Gold at 2008 IVF World Sprints in Sacramento

The Pure Light Racing crew participated in the week long 2008 IVF World Sprints in Sacramento in August. More than 40 countries participated in this international event for able bodied and adaptive paddlers. Pure Light Racing brought home gold medals in all adaptive team events (V6 500m, V6 1000m, and V12 500m) and captured additional gold, silver and bronze medals in the V1 500m event for 1-man paddlers. When the competition was over, Pure Light Racing brought home a total of 30 medals. This World Sprints event was the first time adaptive paddling events were sanctioned. In the past (2004 and 2006) the events were exhibition events.

Pure Light Racing Paddler Beth Arnoult to Compete in 2008 Paralympics in Beijing Pure Light Racing's own Beth Arnoult has been only one of two women selected by the U.S. team to compete in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in the sport of wheelchair tennis. Beth will be competing in both single and double events which will begin competition on September 6th. We are proud that Beth is representing the USA in Beijing and even more proud that she is a part of the Pure Light Racing team.

Pure Light Racing Paddler Jeremy Wagner Victorious in 2008 National Veterans Wheelchair Games First time Veterans Wheelchair Games participant Jeremy Wagner was a gold medalist in the obstacle course event in this multi-event sporting competition for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports. This year's event took place in Omaha, Nebraska, where Jeremy competed in many of the individual and team events, including swimming, basketball, nine-ball and others. From Nebraska, Jeremy flew straight to Sacramento where he joined the Pure Light Racing team for the 2008 IVF World Sprints competition.

Project Pure Light Hosts Operation Comfort Warriors

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, Project Pure Light was involved in hosting a day of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling to members of Operation Comfort who were visiting Hawai‘i from San Antonio, Texas.  The group visiting Hawai‘i was comprised of 44 people; military personnel who had been wounded in combat and their family members as well as therapists traveling with the group.  Contacted by a local outreach coordinator shortly before their arrival, Project Pure Light was able to coordinate a day at the beach of outrigger canoe paddling for the Operation Comfort visitors with very short notice.  Volunteers rallied to provide three outrigger canoes and paddlers and Pinky’s Pupu Bar & Grill provided a free lunch to our visitors.

We hosted Operation Comfort in two groups.  A morning program and afternoon program gave each group a more individualized opportunity to learn the technique and cultural aspects of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling and paddle canoes on beautiful Waikiki Beach right off the Hale Koa Hotel.

In addition to hosting the Operation Comfort members, Project Pure Light hosted Lieutenant General Douglas M. Fraser (Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Hawai‘i) who joined the group and participated in the program, meeting the warriors and their families and participating in the paddling with his staff members.

Many of the Operation Comfort participants, family members and therapists commented on what a wonderful day they had; that the entire event was a successful part of a healing process for their wounded family members.  Some are already planning their next visit to Hawai‘i and were encouraged to join Project Pure Light activities on their return trip.

Midweek "Power of Paddling" Cover Story (March 28, 2008)

West Hawaii Today Article Features Pure Light Racing's Paddlers

Honolulu Advertiser article 1/18/08 "Adaptive Paddlers Now Have Event of Their Own"