Kahiau, a women’s outrigger canoe team whose core members are from Kaua‘i, recently finished first in the masters (40-49years old) and tenth overall in the 2004 Na Wahine O Ke Kai-Moloka‘i to O‘ahu canoe race. Although the entire team did
Kahiau, a women’s outrigger canoe team whose core members are from Kaua‘i, recently finished first in the masters (40-49years old) and tenth overall in the 2004 Na Wahine O Ke Kai-Moloka‘i to O‘ahu canoe race.
Although the entire team did not get to train together prior to the race, the various members paddled together over the years. Plans to enter this year’s race with an independent (non-club) crew began after team organizer Laola Aea completed the 2003 crossing with Offshore Canoe Club, a team from California. Offshore placed 5th overall and 2nd in Masters. “That experience was awesome in the respect that I learned what it takes to compete at that level. On the other hand, I missed sharing the experience with friends, being that I was the only one from Hawaii on the crew. At that point I determined to cross again with people I knew,” said Aea.
Crew selection is always difficult, especially when searching for people who have competed at that level that also falls into the age category. There were many strong paddlers to choose from, but in a 6-man canoe, performing at race speed for 40 miles, with your competition breathing down your necks only 50 yards behind you, the race passes beyond physical threshold levels and moves between your ears. It also came down to who had proven themselves enough times in situations that required overcoming major obstacles without crumbling. The teamwork on land amongst the Kaua‘i members was as important as the paddling. The logistics are mind boggling. “I don’t think the average paddler who has either a club president, or coach or other team manager to take care of all the details that a channel crossing takes, can appreciate the magnitude of what it all entails,” commented team member Margie Goodno.
The other aspect that often gets overlooked is your escort boat crew. If you expect to do well, it helps to have someone that is an expert in every area of outrigger canoe paddling and channel crossings leading the way.
A lifelong friendship with waterman extraordinaire, Kainoa Downing, secured his position as head coach for the journey. The crew was hard pressed to find someone with so much experience not only as a surfer, paddler and steersman, but also as a navigator and boat coach. His father, the legendary big wave pioneer and longtime Waikiki beachboy George Downing, taught Kainoa how to cross that channel on any given day.
The crew felt honored to be under the tutelage of someone who not only had so much ocean knowledge, but also possessed such a strong spiritual life. “He made it clear that it was Ke Akua that ultimately guided him and the crew greatly respected him for that,” said team member Laurie Denton.
Crew members realized that this journey was successful due to the many people who contributed to our efforts over the course of the year.
