Posted on: Friday, May 3, 2002

Clubs away in paddlers

• The canoe clubs

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The regatta season will open at the end of May and continue through the championship regatta on Aug. 3. Advertiser library photo • Aug. 4, 2001

With more than 7,000 participants registered for outrigger canoe paddling this season, it's easy to understand why there are different strokes for different folks.

"We just keep getting more and more paddlers every year," said Hannie Anderson, president of the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. "You have parents, children, grandparents ... they're all paddling."

The regatta season is scheduled to begin at the end of this month. It will culminate with the state championship regatta at Hilo Bay on Aug. 3.

On O'ahu alone, more than 30 clubs representing all areas of the island are holding daily practice sessions. More than 4,000 paddlers are expected to participate in regattas this summer in O'ahu's two organizations — OHCRA and Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a. Age divisions range from 12 and younger to 55 and older.

"The future of the sport looks good because so many kids are involved now," said Curtis Hawkins, co-head coach of the Lanikai Canoe Club. "What's good about that is the kids are staying in shape, but also learning about canoe paddling as a historic Hawaiian sport."

Lanikai will list close to 400 paddlers on its roster this season, making it one of the largest clubs in the state.

"We feel like we send out a tradition of winning and 'ohana," Hawkins said. "Having a club that's successful year in and year out definitely helps to bring in new paddlers."

In truth, most clubs are smaller, with rosters under 100. Sometimes, that can work to a paddler's benefit.

"If you go to a big club, you might end up sitting on the beach when it comes time to race because there's so much competition just to get in the canoe," said Daniel Sanford, head coach of 'Alapa Hoe Canoe Club. "To me, it's more fun to be in a smaller club because you get to know everybody."

In any case, there is a club — and age division — for every paddler.

"It truly is a sport for everybody," Anderson said.

2002 canoe paddling schedules

O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe

Racing Association

• June 2: Clement D. Paiaina Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• June 9: King Kamehameha Regatta (Kailua Beach Park)
• June 16: Leeward Kai Regatta (Nanakuli Beach)
• June 23: Waimanalo Regatta (Waimanalo Beach)
• July 4: Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta (Waikiki Beach)
• July 14: John D. Kaupiko Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• July 21: OHCRA Championship Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• Aug. 3: HCRA State Championship Regatta (Hilo Bay)

Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a

• May 26: Hui O Ikaika Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• June 2: Kane'ohe Regatta (Waimanalo Beach)
• June 9: Lokahi Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• June 16: Manu O Ke Kai Regatta (Hale'iwa Beach Park)
• June 23: Windward Kai Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• June 30: Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta (Ma'ili Beach Park)
• July 4: Koa Kai Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• July 14: Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta (Waikiki Beach)
• July 20: Hui Wa'a Championship Regatta (Ke'ehi Lagoon)
• Aug. 3: HCRA State Championship Regatta (Hilo Bay)

O'ahu long-distance races

• Aug. 11: Ka'ena Challenge (Hale'iwa Beach Park)
• Aug. 18: Duke Kahanamoku Race (Kailua Beach Park to Waikiki Beach)
• Aug. 24: Kailua Bay Iron Challenge (Kailua Beach Park)
• Aug. 25: Dad Center Race (Kailua Beach Park to Outrigger Canoe Club)
• Sept. 8: E Lau Hoe (Magic Island to Poka'i Bay)
• Sept. 15: Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole Race (Maunalua Bay to Ko Olina Resort)
• Sept. 29: Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki Beach)
• Oct. 13: Moloka'i Hoe (Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki Beach)

• • •

Martha P. Hernandez • The Honolulu Advertiser

The canoe clubs

Paddling enthusiasts have a variety of clubs to choose from around O'ahu.

O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association

1. Anuenue

• Practice area: Behind Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

2. Healani

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

3. Honolulu

• Practice area: Ke'ehi Lagoon.
• Information: Traci Johnson, 561-4791.

4. Hui Lanakila

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

5. Hui Nalu

• Practice area: Maunalua Bay
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

6. Kailua

• Practice area: Kailua Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

7. Kai Oni

• Practice area: Kailua Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

8. Keahiakahoe

• Practice area: Kahaluu Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

9. Lanikai

• Practice area: Lanikai Beach
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

10. Leeward Kai

• Practice area: Nanakuli Beach
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

11. Makaha

• Practice area: Makaha Beach
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

12. New Hope

• Practice area: Ke'ehi Lagoon
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

13. Outrigger

• Practice area: Outrigger Canoe Club/Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

14. Pu'uloa

• Practice area: 'Ewa Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

15. Waikiki Surf Club

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

16. Waimanalo

• Practice area: Kaiona Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons

Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a

17. 'Alapa Hoe

• Practice area: Ke'ehi Lagoon
• Information: Sheila or Daniel Sanford, 258-7574

18. Hawaiian Outrigger

• Practice area: Kailua Beach Park
• Information: Kathy or Leroy Lopez, 262-8631

19. Hui O Ikaika

• Practice area: Poka'i Bay
• Information: Judy Akau, 695-1399

20. I Mua

• Practice area: Magic Island
• Information: Barrett Awai, 373-4628

21. Kai Poha

• Practice area: Ke'ehi Lagoon
• Information: Lei Endo, 486-2970

22. Kalihi Kai

• Practice area: Ke'ehi Lagoon
• Information: Roxsanne Lasco, 733-3242 or 845-2726

23. Kamehameha

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Barbara Vasold, 737-4490

24. Kane'ohe

• Practice area: He'eia Kea Pier
• Information: Hosanna Folk, 348-7290 or Clint Anderson, 234-5679

25. Koa Kai

• Practice area: Magic Island
• Information: Tambry Young, 841-1116

26. Kumulokahi-Elks

• Practice area: Magic Island
• Information: Scott Thompson, 224-2149

27. Lokahi

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Anne Weber, 375-6370

28. Manu O Ke Kai

• Practice area: Hale'iwa Beach Park
• Information: Randy Sanborn, 621-7240

29. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i

• Practice area: Poka'i Bay
• Information: Shannon Kaaekuahiwi, 696-3482 or 668-9125

30. Waikiki Beach Boys

• Practice area: Ala Wai Canal
• Information: Corey Beall, 377-8174

31. Waikiki Yacht Club

• Practice area: Waikiki Yacht Club
• Information: Artie Smith, 423-6295

32. Windward Kai

• Practice area: Kaelepulu Stream, near Kailua Beach
• Information: Rebel Kapoi, 261-4206

Independent

33. North Shore

• Practice area: Hale'iwa Beach Park
• Information: Visit practice area on weekday afternoons