Newport Beach Canoe Club Seeks Sixth Title in Row

The Offshore Canoe Club of Newport Beach will defend its women’s title Sunday at the Outrigger Canoe World Championships in Hawaii.

Newport Beach set the world record last year with a time of 5 hours 44 minutes 13 seconds. It was the club’s fifth consecutive victory in the world championships.

The race in the six-person canoes will cover 41 miles from Molokai to Oahu.

The men’s event will be Oct. 13, and the Newport Beach team is considered a top contender.

The club set the current world record, 5:06.29, two years ago but finished second last year to the Outrigger Canoe Club of Honolulu.

Other U.S. teams and some from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Tahiti and Canada are expected to participate.