Nautical pursuits offer fun, fitness

By Stanley Lee
Advertiser Staff Writer

Want to expand your activities into the water or try something new?

Corey Pang skippers a 420 sailboat, while David Rex hangs on the trapeze off Magic Island. Waikiki Yacht Club photos

Classes are open to all age groups and levels of ability.

"It's a good way to meet new people, have fun in the ocean, learn water safety, get in shape and learn something about Hawai'i's sports," said Ray Kaneshiro, the women's paddling coach at the yacht club.

Paddling

The paddling program is divided into three seasons. The regatta season started in March and has been completed. The distance season has started and ends this month; the winter season runs from October to February.

During the winter season, the club paddles early on Sunday mornings and the participants are able to see dolphins and whales in the ocean near Diamond Head.

"It's unreal," Kaneshiro said. "They're wild, playful and curious. You can see whole pods of dolphins, even baby dolphins."

"The winter season is my favorite," paddler Agnes Sykes said. "It's not competitive so we can stop, watch the whales and dolphins and even take a swim. It's really the best season for new paddlers."

Power boating

Brett Katayama, front, skippers a Topper sailboat with Nana Asao, left, and Grant Overton.

The basic training courses are free and start Sept. 13. The purchase of a boating manual is all that is needed.

"We promote safe boating through education, and the more education you have, the better off you're going to be, and the safer you're going to be in the water," said Karen Moore, the first female commander in the squadron's 43-year history. "Anybody who has a boat, anybody who's thinking about buying a boat, anybody who goes boating and anybody who's around a boat, even children, can take the class. It's excellent, basic knowledge for the general public."

The course also will go over basic first aid and emergency procedures if a person were to go overboard.

"People panic when people go overboard by mistake or if there is an emergency," Moore said.

She added that boaters should always bring a crew out with them in case of an emergency.

The squadron also is open to new members, who can take further classes in weather, piloting, navigation, cruise planning, sailing, marine electronics and engine maintenance. It also offers a jet smart class for personal watercraft owners and club events.

Sailing

The sailing classes are not only looking to offer opportunities for individuals to use small dinghies, small classboats or large crewed boats, but change stereotypes of the sport.

The program offers 10 levels of sailing from the beginner to the advanced sailors. Youth interest in sailing has been growing statewide since clubs are providing more opportunities to them. The yacht club has about 400 youths.

Compared to other sports, sailing can be a confidence builder, according to Fleming.

"It's pretty empowering when you have control over something bigger than you," Fleming said. "Everybody can play basketball to some degree, but not everybody can control a boat."

Fleming hopes his program will turn people into lifelong sailors. He was inspired by his college coach Charlie Dole, who still sails competitively in his late 80s.

"I made it a conscious effort that it was something I wanted to do into my 70s and 80s," Fleming said.