Family a success in water world

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Halli, left, and Peter Van Lier Ribbink, right, along with sister Katinka, are among the top kayakers in the ILH. Photos by Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Peter Van Lier Ribbink paddles for Iolani during an Interscholastic League of Honolulu kayak race at Ala Wai Canal.

He is the only one of the seven-member 'ohana who doesn't paddle canoes.

"But he probably would if he could," said Halli, one of four Van Lier Ribbink children.

That's most likely true, considering Steve and Laura — mom and dad — first met at Outrigger Canoe Club and had all four kids paddling from early childhood.

That love of the ocean now has produced three of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's top kayakers. Peter, a senior at Iolani, has won all but one race the past two seasons and Halli, a Punahou junior, has won two distance races this year. Sister Katinka, a freshman at Punahou, has placed in the top 15 in her first season.

Tucker, the youngest, is a seventh-grader at Iolani and must wait two years before he can kayak competitively. But he does paddle canoes for Outrigger, along with his father and three siblings.

Laura paddles for Hui Pakalea, a smaller club in Kailua.

When Peter is not kayaking or paddling for Outrigger and Iolani, he's in a one-man canoe or surfing. In the spring, Halli plays water polo for Punahou.

"We all love being in the water," Halli said. "Growing up, we'd always go to the beach or go sailing. It's all we do."

That makes kayaking a perfect fall sport for the Van Lier Ribbink kids. Peter began as a freshman but was in the shadow of two-time ILH champ Brandon Woods of Mid-Pacific his first two seasons.

"Even in the closest race, (Woods) would win by 20 seconds," Peter said. "He killed us."

Woods is now training with the U.S. Olympic team.

Peter says his status as Woods' successor hasn't been as secure, as evidenced by his first loss on Saturday to teammate and good friend Ian Smith.

"There's always a transition, and sometimes the best guy might be a sophomore," he said. "In my (Oct. 18) race, I won by less than a second, and in the time trials (last week), Ian finished a little ahead of me."

Halli also knows that victories do not come easily, having won two distance races but usually finishing lower in the sprints.

"In sprinting, you're in your own lane and it's pretty much just a straight shot," Halli said. "But the longer a race goes, the stronger I am, and with the turns and stuff there's more strategy, which is more my thing."

Since water sports are the Van Lier Ribbinks' thing, Peter and Halli plan on continuing their careers after high school.

Peter is aiming to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, where he already has spoken to coaches about joining the crew team. Halli, a former Aulea Swim Club member, said she also may look into kayaking or crew during college, and has a goal of someday competing in Na Wahine O Ke Kai, the Moloka'i-to-O'ahu canoe race.

Halli's 16s team at Outrigger won the state championship last summer.

"It's a lot different from kayaking because you're paddling with a team," Halli said. "In paddling you're also dealing with the wind and surf. But I think kayaking is a little similar because you have to be fluid."

Peter, who was an avid roller hockey player as a youth, will often squeeze in two water activities in the same day. He will surf at Makapu'u in the morning with Smith, then jump into a kayak for an ILH race at Ala Wai Canal.

"Our coach doesn't mind," Peter said. "He's a water guy himself, and it's good cross-training."

Love of the water has bonded the Van Lier Ribbink kids to the point that the Iolani-Punahou rivalry so prevalent in other sports is not an issue with Peter, Halli and Katinka.

"It's not serious, we just joke around," Peter said. "I've got friends at Punahou, and most of us know each other."

Said Halli: "They cheer for us and we cheer for them."

Halli said Katinka took up kayaking on her own and has no doubt Tucker will probably try it when his time comes.

Given this family's history, don't count Koa out, either.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.