BOE asked to sanction kayaking

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer

A former national kayaking champion asked the state Board of Education yesterday to allow public school students to compete against each other in school kayak races.

Bob Twogood, who owns Twogood Kayaks and Canoes Hawai'i in Kailua, said the sport promotes character and fitness and could keep students interested in school and away from temptations like drugs.

"Hawai'i is a state whose people thrive on water sports," he said.

Twogood said the Interscholastic League of Honolulu has sanctioned kayaking since 1988, with teams competing on the Ala Wai Canal.

Chris Ball, of the Hawai'i Canoe-Kayak Team, believes that expanding school competition could increase the pool of students who aspire to higher levels of the sport. Several student kayakers have won college scholarships and the chance to compete at the national or Olympic levels.