Paddling (not rowing) is an ancient tradition in the Pacific and South Pacific. It is an honored tradition here in Hawaii and taken very seriously. Kathy and I had a chance to paddle a traditional six person canoe a few months ago and it was quite an experience. Kathy went further and joined a local Canoe Club called Kai Oni. (Kai means ocean and Oni means whirlpool, so the whirlpool is made with each stroke of the paddle) Our town Kailua has a number of clubs as do many cities and towns around the Islands. She practices three nights a week for 2 hours of hard paddling and perfecting the techniques and timing etc etc. Last weekend, finally they competed against other clubs in the first regatta of the season.
It was quite a day...the wooden canoes are transported the day before on trailers and tents are setup along the shoreline for each club. Members of the various teams all have their own colors and logos and wear team T shirts. There were more than 700 paddlers present. The day starts early with a parade of Canoes from the various clubs as well as a parade of the paddlers. A prayer is offered (Christian prayers...many with the sign of the Cross) Then men in Traditional dress dance hula with their paddles in traditional form. Next everyone sings the Star Spangled Banner, a Hawaiian song and the competitions begin. There are children races, women and mens. Although practice is with the fiberglass canoes...the competition must be in a traditional wooden canoe. Kathy in in seat five...just in front of the steers woman at the stern. The person in seat two calls out the changes from paddling on one side to the other...after about 14 strokes she yells HIT...one more paddle then HO...Switch in perfect synchrony (hopefully to the opposite side)...really amazing how perfect the teams are. Many of the advanced paddlers go around marks (like sailing) Kathys team paddled a straight 1/4 mile course....everyone stays for the day to support each other....very very cool...enjoy the photos
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| Parade to start the event ...note the Hawaiian Flag with Union Jack...admiration for the Crown (Ugh) |
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| Tradition Hawaiian Dress... Bows and all |
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| Wow..what a great looking team...my favorite is the second from the right ! |
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| Launching the wooden canoe |
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| The venue was an industrial site near the airport...not pretty by nice flat water...the venue rotates each week...next here in Kailua ! |
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| Paddles ready to go for next team...Aloha for now |
