The O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association's Leeward Kai Father's Day Regatta was a non-sactioned, for "fun" event today at Nanakuli Beach Park because of unsafe surf.

The waves were unusually large in the morning so officials decided to reduced the number of lanes from 12 to eight, then to seven.

Before the race officially started Hui Nalu had its koa canoe damaged after it was picked up and thrown against the shore.

"The big south swell closed out half the course, then we had a mishap with a koa canoe," said OHCRA president Kalani Irvine. "We had to adjust so much, we felt we couldn't run a sanctioned event. So basically it was a fun event today."

The coaches of the clubs voted to pull their koa canoes from the water after the accident, and the race was completed in five fiberglass canoes provided by Leeward Kai.

Once the canoes were switched, the regatta became unsanctioned.

"That was the final straw," Irvine said. "Our association supports koa canoes."

The races continued and conditions improved throughout the day.

Kailua won the AAA Division for big clubs with 89 points, Hui Nalu was second (55) and Keahiakahoe third (23).

Leeward Kai took the AA Division with 72 points, followed by Kai Oni (40) and Hui Lanakili (34).

Honolulu Pearl Club and Keola O Ke Kai tied for the A Division title with 19 points. Pu'uloa Outrigger was third with 15.