Sunday, April 1, 2001

[LIKE TRY?]

Paddling easy
to get involved in

Clubs welcome new members
and may not even require you
to buy you own equipment

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

It is the image of Hawaii forever imprinted on the collective conscious of television viewers worldwide.

It is the opening scene from "Hawaii 5-0," with paddlers in an outrigger canoe off Waikiki Beach.

The television show is in re-run mode internationally. The sport has gone global as well, with the hopes of canoe paddling becoming an Olympic sport.

But how does a mere mortal get started?

Where does a novice begin?

Like try?

As they say: "Easy fo' do.''

Head to your neighborhood beach park during the late afternoon.

Look for paddlers talking story near the outrigger canoes. Ask to speak to the coach.

Prepare to be recruited and put in a canoe, perhaps that very day.

Prepare to get wet.

Prepare for a commitment.

There are 62 canoe clubs statewide. Most have just begun registration for new and returning paddlers for the upcoming regatta season.

The cost to join is minimal, usually from $40-100. Each club has a dues structure, most based on age groups, some on ability to pay. Many clubs have fund-raisers, such as selling sweetbread or Portuguese sausage, that help defray members' dues.

Equipment costs can be minimal as well.

Most clubs have practice paddles for communal use. If you'd rather have your own, ordering a paddle can be done through the club or one of a number of shops geared to paddlers and their needs.

Custom paddles cost anywhere from $35-100, depending on the shape and type of wood used.

For comfort, consider investing in a half wetsuit or paddling shorts. It will help prevent sliding around on the canoe seat.

While a T-shirt or tank top will suffice, many paddlers prefer a light wetsuit top for rash-guard protection.

While not a necessity, paddling gloves offer welcomed protection from blisters.

And don't forget the sunscreen.

Practice times vary from club to club. The earlier portions of the afternoon are normally reserved for the 18-and-under paddlers; the pau hana afternoon times for adults.

The beauty of regatta season is being able to spend a Saturday or Sunday with the entire family at the beach. With competition in 12-and-under to 62-and-older divisions, the potential is there for three generations of a family to be racing on the same day.

Regatta season runs from June through the state championship, traditionally held on the first Saturday of August. And after that?

Serious paddlers consider regatta season as an evil necessity to get in shape for long-distance season. Even first-year paddlers have successfully competed in the Molokai-to-Oahu race ... just because they wanted to try.

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"Like Try?" is a regular feature of the Weekend Warrior page with tips on how to get started in a recreational sport.

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Garden Island Canoe Racing Association

Club: Practice site
Hanalei: Hanalei
Kawaikini: Wailua
Kilohana: Nawilili
Koloa: Poipu
Niumalu: Niumalu
Puuwai: Wailua

Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association

Hana: Hana
Hawaiian: Kahului
Hui Waa O Lanai: Lanai
Kahana: Lahaina
Kihei: Wailuku
Lae Ula O Kai: Kihei
Lahaina: Lahaina
Malama Ula: Lahaina
Na Kai Ewalu: Wailuku
Napili: Napili

Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe
Racing Association (Big Island)

Club: Practice site
Kai E Hito: Kailua-Kona
Kailana: Hilo
Kai O Pua: Kailua-Kona
Kamehameha: Hilo
Kawaihae: Kawaihae
Keauhou O Kona: Kailua-Kona
Keaukaha: Hilo
Keoua O Honaunau: Honaunau
Kona Athletic: Kailua-Kona
Puna: Puna
Queen Liliuokalani: Kailua-Kona
Waikoloa: Waikoloa

Molokai Canoe Racing Association

Hoopii: Kaunakakai Harbor
Mana'e: Pukoo Beach
Molokai: Kaunakakai Harbor

Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a

'Alapa Hoe: Keehi Lagoon
Hawaiian Outrigger: Kaelepulu Stream, Kailua
Hui O Ikaika: Pokai Bay
Imua: Keehi Lagoon
Kai Poha: Keehi Lagoon
Kalihi Kai: Ala Wai/Keehi Lagoon
Kamehameha: Ala Wai Canal
Kaneohe: Heeia Pier
Koa Kai: Magic Island
Kumulokahi-Elks 616: Waikiki/Ala Wai Canal
Lokahi: Ala Wai Canal
Manu O Ke Kai: Haleiwa
Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i: Pokai Bay
Waikiki Beach Boys: Ala Wai Canal
Waikiki Yacht Club: Ala Wai Basin
Windward Kai: Kaelepulu Stream, Kailua

Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association

Club: Practice site
Anuenue: Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki
Healani: Ala Wai Canal
Honolulu: Pearl Harbor
Hui Lanakila: Ala Wai Canal
Hui Nalu: Maunalua Bay
Kai One: Kailua Beach
Kailua: Kailua Beach
Keahiakahoe: Kahaluu
Koolau: Kailua Beach
Lanikai: Lanikai Beach
Leeward Kai: Nanakuli Beach
Makaha: Makaha Beach
Outrigger: Waikiki & Ala Wai Canal
Waikiki Surf: Ala Wai Canal
Waimanalo: Kaiona Beach, Waimanalo

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OHCRA regattas

June 3: Clement D. Paiaina Regatta, Keehi Lagoon Beach Park
June 10: King Kamehameha Regatta, Kailua Beach Park
June 17: Leeward Kai Regatta, Nanakuli Beach Park
June 24: Waimanalo Regatta, Waimanalo Beach Park
July 4: Walter J. Macfarland Regatta, Waikiki Beach
July 15: John D. Kaupiko Regatta, Keehi Lagoon
July 22: OHCRA Championships, Keehi Lagoon
Aug. 4: HCRA State Championships, Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Regattas begin at 8:30 a.m.

Hui Wa'a regattas

May 27: Hui O Ikaika Regatta, Keehi Lagoon
June 3: Kaneohe Canoe Club Regatta, Waimanalo Beach
June 10: Lokahi Regatta, Keehi Lagoon
June 17: Manu O Ke Kai Regatta, Haleiwa Beach Park
June 24: Windward Kai Regatta, Keehi Lagoon
July 1: Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta, Maili Beach
July 8: Koa Kai Regatta, Keehi Lagoon.
July 15: Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta, Waikiki Beach
July 21: Hui Wa'a Championships, Keehi Lagoon.
Regattas begin at 8:30 a.m.

Long distance races

April 7: Waikiki Beach Boys Race, Magic Island
April 14: Kaneohe Canoe Club Race, Kaneohe Bay
April 21: Hui O Ikaika Race, Pokai Bay
April 28: Alapa Hoe Race, Keehi Lagoon
May 5: Koa Kai Race, Magic Island
May 12: Kalai O Malulani Race, Kualoa Beach Park
May 13: Kala Kukea Ironman, Maunalua Bay Beach Park
May 19: George Perry Race, Kailua Beach Park
May 19: Kai Poha Race, Haleiwa Aug. 12: Kaena Challenge (women), course TBA
Aug. 12: Kaena Challenge (men), Waimea Bay to Makaha Surfing Beach Park
Aug. 19: Duke Kahanamoku Race (women), Kailua Beach Park to Mokulea Island and return
Aug. 19: Duke Kahanamoku Race (men), Kailua Beach Park to Duke Kahanamoku Beach
Aug. 25: Kailua Bay Iron Challenge (men): Kailua Beach to Mokulea to Na Mokulua and return
Aug. 26: Dad Center Race (women): Kailua Beach to Outrigger Canoe Club
Sept. 1-2: Queen Liliuokalani Races: Kailua-Kona.
Sept. 2: Israel Kamakawiwoole Race (men): Pokai Bay to Haleiwa Beach
Sept. 2: Israel Kamakawiwoole Race (women): Haleiwa Beach to Pokai Bay
Sept. 9: E Lau Hoe (women): Magic Island to Pokai Bay
Sept. 16: Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole Race (men), Maunalua Bay to Ko Olina Resort
Sept. 23: Na Wahine O Ke Kai (women), Hale O Lono, Molokai, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu
Oct. 7: 50th Molokai Hoe (men), Hale O Lono, Molokai, to Duke Kahanmoku Beach, Oahu