Outrigger Canoe Relays at Kent Island

Mad Gringo spent the first part of the Labor Day weekend avoiding labor at the Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Relays in Kent Island, MD.

I now know what it means to experience "Aloha".

Wild Bill, Mad Anne, Slicko and Mad Deb were as gracious as hosts could be. And they know how to have a good time.

Let me show you a brief snippet of the weekend in pictures.

Wondering what these guys are looking at? 

Mad Gringo was. Then I saw this:

Doesn't that just warm the cockles of your heart? Mad Gringo smiled.

The paddlers were up before 7am and out on the water just after 7:15.

Yes. 7:15 am. Mad Gringo checked the paper and the sun was up, but not much else.

The relay consisted of teams of single paddlers, two person canoes and six person canoes (womens and mixed  teams) paddling around the island. Each leg was at least an hour in length. I'm tired just typing it.

Soon it was over. Well, actually it was many hours later. The luau started at 3pm with the Aloha Boys. They even had a hula dancer - I have proof. Dark and grainy proof, but proof nonetheless.

Soon, Mad Gringo started noticing a lot of familiar looking merchandise here and there.

Here, two are debating the staying power of the Pineapple Skull and Crossbones logo versus the ubiquitous Zog's Sex Wax logo.

While waiting for the restroom to open up, another happy browser fingers brightly colored clothing. No worries, he washed his hands.

Mad Gringo had a lot of what are termed "butt shots" because of a single minded desire to get the sarongs in the pics. High school photography teachers cringe, but they aren't trying to stroke their egos online. Note the Hawaiian Shirt Paradise in Grey. Excellent.

Here, the beautiful and talented Mad Deb shows off the Hand Painted Pareo, Sunrise. And isn't that the Sarong, Good Day in the background? Shameless self promotion, I know.

Here, Wild Bill attributes the Kent Island Relay OC-6 title to his new carbon fiber Werner Paddle. Mad Gringo was more impressed with the sold out Grey Pineapple Go Slow shirt. We need to dig that pattern up again.

Women and children gaze in wide wonder at the joy they have found . . . in the Tropical Shirt named Daiquiri Daze. Slicko wears it well.

Here Mad Gringo finds a New Zealander wearing the sarong Colima Dance, Margo from Miami2Maine fame wearing her Tropical Shirt Golden Fish and Wild Bill with Mad Anne. It was little slice of Go Slow heaven.

The Canadians were out in force too. Here we see a picture of Canada Women. The tag says so. It seems that the one wearing the Hawaiian shirt Wave Runner with the Surfside Hibiscus Sarong is a bit hairy. But it does get cold up there.

Here, the luau cranks up with the gang getting down to the Hawaii Five-O theme song.

Don't believe me? Mad Gringo has proof. Grainy, dark and dingy proof, but proof once again. Listen carefully.

This last photo is when Mad Gringo left the premises and went to bed. Too much fun. Blame it on the Foggy Notions tropical shirt - it's there in the background. It's always there in the background. Scary.

It was a great time with amazing people along the east coast!

I should be recovered by Friday.

Go slow.