Hawaiian Canoe Club’s (from left) Kevin Ledesma, Jerome Kalama, Tom Guerin, Wendall DeVera, John McCandless, Pia Aluli, Lex Rass, Frank Zajac, Mark Kazberten and Biggie Lara pose for photos after winning the 60-and-over division of the Molokai Hoe on Oct. 7. Missing are Lou Dionese and Tomas Schlotman. • Photo courtesy of Wendall DeVera

After winning its fourth title in five years at the 66th Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe earlier this month, it’s clear the Hawaiian Canoe Club’s 60-and-over crew know what it takes to win.

“The way we’ve worked it out the last five years is — we’re good at catching waves or being in waves,” crew member Wendall DeVera said.

With the help of ideal wave conditions during the 41-mile race across the Kaiwi Channel from Hale O Lono to Waikiki, the crew of DeVera, Kevin Ledesma, Jerome Kalama, Tom Guerin, John McCandless, Pia Aluli, Lex Rass, Frank Zajac, Mark Kazberten, Biggie Lara, Lou Dionese and Tomas Schlotman cruised to the win in an age-group record time of 5 hours, 52 minutes, 30 seconds.

“This year the waves weren’t big, but they were rollers that we were able to catch,” DeVera recalled. “We actually thought we were going to finish in over six hours, just the way the pace was. There were rollers, but not too many waves.”

It wasn’t until the paddlers neared Oahu that they were able to pick up the pace.

“What made the race interesting, was we ended up racing our 55 and older crew in the final stretch,” DeVera said. “I think that helped us with our pace. Even though they are our own team and in a different division — at the time we were ahead of them and they passed us.”

DeVera and his crew finished just 10 seconds behind Hawaiian’s 55 crew.

With years of experience, the crew pointed to their friendship and coach McCandless as being a major part of what helps them be successful.

Aluli pointed to McCandless’ abilities as a paddler that make it easy to respect what he has to say.

“He’s a really good role model,” Aluli said. “He’s always willing to help.”

DeVera, McCandless, Aluli, Lara and Dionese have been a part of all five recent 60-and-over crews. Next year, DeVera, Lara, Aluli, Dionese and Schlotman will be moving up to the 65-and-older division.

“We will still have the core group,” DeVera said. “So, that’ll make it exciting.”

* Matthew Simon is at msimon@mauinews.com