Kayak paddling enjoying resurgence

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jessica Young, foreground, whose goal at the nationals last year was "not to finish last," has improved tremendously over the past year, says her coach. Behind Young in the craft are, front to back, Audrey Sato, Kari Shozuya and Lindsay Norcross. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

You need a pick-me-up in the morning? Try taking a big whiff of the Ala Wai Canal.

That's exactly what the youth paddlers on the Hawai'i Canoe and Kayak Team (HCKT) have been doing since April in preparation for the USA Canoe and Kayak National Championships, which will be held July 31-Aug. 5 at Sacramento, Calif. The top performers from the national meet will earn spots in the Junior World Championships, Sept. 7-9 at Curitiba, Brazil.

"We have so many beautiful places to paddle in Hawai'i, but the Ala Wai is not exactly one of them, at least not until they dredge it," said Chris Ball, one of three HCKT coaches. "But this is where we need to practice, and I think it shows the dedication these kids have."

Indeed, a typical week for the team consists of nine practice sessions — paddling from 5:30-7:30 a.m. six days a week; running and strength-training three afternoons a week.

The team practices on the Ala Wai to simulate the flat-water conditions of both the national and world meets.

"The first month was really a killer," said Jessica Young, 16. "But now, it's just like part of my day. I can't function now unless I go kayaking in the morning."

She is one of 14 paddlers who have endured the process and will represent Hawai'i at the national meet. They also represent a revival in kayaking among local youths.

"It's not a huge number, but it's certainly bigger than what we've had in recent years," Ball said. "The last time we took a group this big was probably 1997."

During the late 1980s and early '90s, young kayakers from Hawai'i were a force on the national scene. Olympians Kathy Colin, Mike Harbold, Traci Phillips and Peter Newton were among the most prominent.

But in 1997, the HCKT coaching staff disbanded, and the youth paddlers lost momentum — and interest. At last year's national championships, only five entries were from Hawai'i.

What's more, the Hawai'i paddlers at last year's meet had less-than-lofty aspirations. "My goal was not to finish last," Young said.

Christopher Lee, foreground, and Josh Cariaga get their strokes down in a two-person craft. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

So far, it has worked wonders.

Brandon Woods, a senior at Mid-Pacific, and Bryan Ho, a senior at Iolani, have already been invited to train with other top national junior kayakers at the Olympic Training Camp at Lake Placid, N.Y. They are regarded as Hawai'i's two best entries in the boys 18-younger division.

Kari Shozuya, a recent graduate of Iolani, and Lindsay Norcross, a senior at Iolani, have five years of kayaking experience between them, but are already considered top-10 national contenders in the girls 18-younger division.

"It's a good kind of pressure because you're pushing yourself to represent Hawai'i," Shozuya said. "I think before, we went to nationals just for the experience. This year, we want to do better."

Young, a junior at Iolani, is perhaps the best example of that. Last year, she said she "barely" achieved her goal of not placing last in her age division. This year, Ball thinks she can contend for the national championship in the girls 16-younger division.

"She's improved tremendously in one year," Ball said. "Last year, she could do eight pull-ups. This year, she's doing over 20. Her times (in kayaking) are improving that fast, too."

Regardless of how the team does, Ball is hoping they become the foundation for the reconstruction of HCKT.

"Paddling in Hawai'i is an institution," he said. "You look at all the sports in the Olympics and paddling is where Hawai'i has really been represented. I see the potential in these kids to carry it on."

Other members of the team: Aaron Batungbacal, Duke Batungbacal, Megan Bussey, Josh Cariaga, Lauren Durston, Christopher Lee, David Manshardt, Audrey Sato and Daniel Tsukayama.