FIELD NOTES: OPEN SEASON WITH RYLAND HART

The OC-1 race season is officially underway on Oʻahu, and Test Pilot Ryland Hart has opened it with intent. Racing this season in the final prototype AeroShield Pro Shorts, our new performance shorts he played a crucial role in testing and helping develop specifically for the outrigger canoe discipline, Ryland has started the season with back-to-back wins. After taking Race #2 of the Kanaka Ikaika series, he followed it up last weekend with another commanding performance at Race #3, the HIC Town 10.

The HIC Town 10 is a true south shore test. A ten-mile long course running from Magic Island to the Diamond Head buoy, down to Kewalo Basin, and back again. With more than 400 crafts on the water and roughly 20 paddlers stacked deep in the top men’s field, the race demanded both patience and precision.

-- Words by Ryland Hart

"It was one of those classic south shore days. Hot, flat, and fast. The kind of conditions where there’s nowhere to hide and everyone is forced to really push. There were easily over 400 crafts on the water, with about 20 guys stacked deep in the top men’s field. Super competitive from the start.

The pace was high right out of Magic Island. We were duking it out for the first few miles, trading pulls and testing each other. When I saw an opportunity, I went for it. I managed to capitalize on a buoy turn, and from there it was about staying committed all the way to the finish line. Stoked I managed to take the win.

I wore my AeroShield Pro Shorts the whole time. Equipment is best when you don’t even notice it’s there when you're racing. I also had an Airtex shirt on that kept me safe from the elements without overheating.

All around, it was a great race and start of the season for me. Incredibly thankful for the support.

Mahalo." 🚩

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The AeroShield Pro Shorts will be releasing soon.

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