Friday, August 3, 2001

Silvas start their
days in the surf

The State Paddling Championships
have become a family affair for the clan
from the Kaneohe Canoe Club

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By Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.com

Roblynn Silva has seen her family a lot this summer.

The first-year paddler for the Kaneohe Canoe Club started paddling this season to get into shape.

But what she got as an added bonus was a little more family togetherness.

"I took it up for exercise ... to try to lose some weight," Silva said. "But now I really enjoy it with my dad and my husband here."

Three generations of paddlers from the Amaral/Silva clan compete in tomorrow's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association's state championship at Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The championship alternates each year between other islands and Oahu.

Silva, her husband Frank, her father Robert Amaral and her nephew Kanoe Amaral have all qualified for the state championships. Robert Amaral races in the 53 Golden Masters. Frank Silva competes in the Men's 35 while Roblynn in the Novice B mixed division. Their nephew Kanoe paddles with the Boys 16 crew.

With four members of the family racing in the state championship, the entire family will be making the trip to Kauai for support.

Robert Amaral first paddled for Kaneohe in 1973, one of the early years of the club's existence. He stopped after a season and started again five years ago when he was asked to form a Golden Masters crew.

Slowly, the rest of the family became involved with the sport. It is Frank Silva's third season and Kanoe Amaral's second.

"It was only me and my wife when I first started (five years ago)," Amaral said. "Now, the whole family is at the beach staying out until nine at night."

"We're here all day from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together."

Regatta day for the family includes extensive preparation and coordination the night before and waking up early on race day.

"We get up at 4:30 in the morning," Frank Silva said. "Everybody's down there at five-six o'clock in the morning having breakfast. There's a lot of things going on.

"During the course of the day our son paddles the first race, Kanoe paddles, she (Roblynn) paddles, Dad paddles and I paddle the last race. It's a family day."

There isn't much competition between the generations though Roblynn and Frank like to compare who has the better medal at the end of the day.

Of course neither of the Silvas can beat their dad, whose crew has only lost once this season.

"For him, we don't even compare," Roblynn said. "He's always coming in with the gold."

All four paddlers are optimistic about their chances tomorrow but whatever the outcome, at least the family is all together.

State paddling What: Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship When: 8:30 a.m., tomorrow Where: Hanalei Bay, Kauai Top contenders AAA (18+ crews): Hawaiian (34), Outrigger (29), Kailua (28), Lanikai (28), Kai 'Opua (27). AA Division (9-17 crews): Hoopili (16), Kahana (16), Kawaihae (16), Lokahi (16), Napili (16), Kaneohe (15), Keaukaha (15). A Division( 8 or fewer crews): Healani (8), Wailea (8), Keauhou O Kona (7), Koa Kai (7), Waikiki Surf (7), Kaiola (6), Keahiakahoe (6), Waikiki Yacht (6), Imua (5), Kalihi Kai (5), Kamehameha-Oahu (5), Lae Ula O Kai (5), Manu O Ke Kai (5), Anuenue (4), Kamehameha-Hawaii (4), Keoua (4), Kilohana (4), Na Keiki O Ka Moi (4), Puuwai (4).