How To Paddle Fast

Pat,
Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Having never heard of a creatine phosphate system, clearly I have a lot to learn. Tapping the spinning basketball is a good analogy.Where can we view the Shell video you mention?
Mahalo

#1 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 8:54am

Thanks Pat. Well said.

#3 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 9:05am

Well said, Pat Dolan.

#5 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 11:30am

I'm looking for some tips for my crew to keep up training through the winter since our lakes freeze YAY! Not so much! Anyway we have access to gyms etc. but I'm wondering if Cardio or weights are more important in the off season or equal? Is it better to use static equip? or free weights better? it's a Womans team I'm focused on.. any advise would be great..

more info: I've been paddling DB for 12 years, started OC 2 years ago, paddled in the 5.5mile v12 at the Queen lili this year, raced in Vegas.... our goal is to race the 18 mile queen lili in 2010. We have everything from brand new paddlers this year (that caught on very fast and are very dedicated) to 6 yr paddlers not so dedicated.... any thoughts?

#7 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 12:12pm

excluding all my posts, of course, that was the best ocpaddler.com has seen.

#9 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 9:23pm

Pat,

Thanks a TON.

I only wish that more of the top paddlers - and especially the paddlers who are training (and being coached) in the way you are - would share the way you just did.

I really appreciate your writing this.
Thank you so much.

#11 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 6:00pm

I agree with Pat. He has a good understanding of several paddling based sports. Not to mention on a competitive level.
To all the people out there thinking that we need to change our stroke because the Tahitians are beating us with their stroke, ... you guys are out to lunch. Your common sense needs some work. How are you going to use their stroke if you can't keep up with it. It's as Pat said, you need to do the same training before you go anywhere with their stroke. As a paddler ,I enjoyed watching several Hawaii teams try to paddle with a shorter higher paced stroke this season. It was quite entertaining, especially towards the end of the race when they couldn't keep up with themselves and the whole canoe looked like a bunch of spinning wheels. Comedy! Basically if you want to beat them you need to train like them. A large sacrifice for the most of us, especially if we have jobs and family. Our State doesn't give the same support to the sport as Tahiti government gives to it, Our federation isn't much of a federation and we don't have the big Corporations involved as they do. Hence we need to sacrifice a heck of a lot more to accomplish this goal. It can be done , but we need to have a bunch of good paddlers willing give a lot up and also believe in what we have. The biggest thing that kills me is that plenty Hawaiians want to be like a Tahitian. Brudda, there's nothing wrong with us ,but there is something wrong with believing in who we are.
Forget the V-1 and HVA, we need to get our kids into Kayaking and K-1, it will take them way beyond what any V-1 will take them. If our kids can make the US team in Flat water Kayaking , many dreams can come true. V-1 won't get you a college education but Kayaking can. NUFF said.

#13 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 8:58pm

There is definitely passion and love for this sport that is unparalleled based on all thats been said - there is also much we can learn when we come together as one. Pat's definitely got a big heart and giving spirit

e kuhikuhi pono i na au iki a me na au nui o ka 'ike

I still wanna know how the heck did he kayak for 3:46 in what was possibly sub-zero temperatures with wind chill factored in - for a local boy, that is one true braddah!
http://www.surfski.info/content/view/1123/147/

#15 Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:40pm

HYsterical, no just a distraction from what other things are out there to achieve. It's too bad that HCKT isn't pushing it as hard as HVA because there's more to offer with Kayaking. Don't get too wound up buddy.
All in all it's good what you guys are trying to do for the kids but it will only get them to race in Tahiti and be better paddlers ,possibly. Getting into Flatwater kayaking has a lot more to offer for their future as athletes.
Maybe i came off too hard, sorry boys for the pinch.

#17 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 7:03am

I can hear the Tahitians laughing at us all the way from Tahiti (Hiro, I can hear).....typical Hawaiians, always grumbling and cannot agree on anything. I agree with everything shared on this thread. This is a great thread. Yes, I wish more of the heavy hitters would put in their 5 cents as well. (TC, Jim F., Manny, Luke, Mike J., Pat E.,etc.).

HVA...maika'i, wish you guys continued success. Keizo and the gang...train our kids in the V1, get them going. I hate to see our kids regularly getting spanked at the World Sprints. Shoot, they cannot even make the finals at the sprints. I hope the V1 training helps.....and, BTW, hope Kamanu Composites sell a bunch of V1's. So, question is, are you guys truly concerned about Hawaii getting spanked or is this just a great promotional gig to sell V1's? That is a legitimate question, but I know you guys are concerned about paddling and how far back our kids are.

123...totally agree, Kayaking will open doors big time. Dolan boys are living examples. Nalu Kukea and some of the other pioneers in Kayaking are too. The Dolans are able to jump from one dicipline to another with no problems. Shock...Lanikai second best Hawaii finisher in the Hoe....beat out Outrigger, right behind Primo. No shock, the Dolan's and Jack Rooney came home for the weekend, and the crew goes from ho hum, to challengers. Kayaking can do that for canoeing.

So, punch...counter punch....Tahitians laughing at us. Let's all agree to disagree...love across the board. Now, lets all put our heads together and put our talents together and figure out a way to kick Tahiti's a$$.

Love and Peace to all.....BEAT TAHITI!! GOOD LUCK TEAM HAWAII!!

JawsOut.

#19 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 8:27am

it all comes down to what Nappy said- "it just depends on how hard you want it- anybody can be a winner." Different environments- different kinds of canoes or boats. Hawaii (Team Primo) did well as a throw together crew of good paddlers, Lanikai did well. If they could all train together as much as Tahiti Shell, it could have been a different story. If our State would support our states sport better, it could be a different story. HAwaiian's competing in V1's in TAhiti will be similiar to TAhitians competing in HAwaii in OC1's. Our conditions are different and so the environment dictates the type of canoe. It will be fun to get our kids who choose to, to do the V1 thing and get the chance to go to Tahiti- good fun. But what I love most about OC1 is getting out in high winds and good surf and go for an exhilerating run! V1 certainly is harder as is surfski (surfskis go faster) but I'm out for the pure fun so I'll stick to an OC1. HArd to teach an old dog new tricks!

I think a great way to promote V1 in HAwaii would be to do sprints in the Ala Wai, get the hotels involved as sponsors and tourists involved as spectators. It could become a great weekly event where everyone would be winners. And it could even help grow the entire V1/OC1/OC2/OC6 sport and help grow tourism, sponsorships of individuals/teams/events. Betting on the side! Those kayak, C1 races in Europe with bleachers, 1000's of cheering spectators etc are good examples. Gosh, Sheraton with their Tahiti hotels, Outrigger, Hyatt, MArriott, Hilton etc could have a ball with is and it would help the paddlers.

#21 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 9:25am

Could be that the simple truth is effort and focus in one direction..........the best at any sport is a specialist in a particular discipline.
The very fact that V1 and V6 are essentially the same thing (of the same family) could well make the difference in winning performance. where the bar has been set by Tahitians.

#23 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 11:18am

All this argument between HVA's V-1 program and HCKT is very fascinating. It seems that there are good points to be made on both side. However, I have to agree with 123 that kayaking will provide opportunities that are easier to access than V-1. When I say "easier to access", I am suggesting that V-1 might also provide SIMILAR opportunities but in sprint flatwater kayaking, there is already a "paved" road aka HCKT development program that allows the motivated athletes to be exposed to some of the training programs structured at the higher level, be around people with a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of what it takes to go faster, be in the presence and train with high skill level athletes that will push you to be even better. As an example, in the last year, HCKT athletes had the opportunity to train at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Jim/John Foti's niece, Julia Anderson is one of those athletes that made the Junior Development team. The exposure to the type of training programs and knowledgebase afforded to these athletes are immeasurable, but you can be certain, once they come back to the islands, they will be even better athletes/paddlers because of this opportunity to learn and grow.
Aside from all that, look who is running the HVA youth program.... drum roll please .... John Puakea - former HCKT head coach, after Billy Whitford (the coach of Offshore Canoe Club that won numerous Na Wahine O Ke Kai races). "Johnny" has an innate understanding of the training structure and discipline required to succeed. You can bet he gained some of his knowledge while being apart of HCKT and USACK - the United States Canoe and Kayak Team. Much of HCKT's training programs come straight out of the United States Olympic development program.
Whether people will admit it or not, HCKT has been an important contributor to the local paddling community and vice versa. Paddling and kayaking go hand in hand but in the end, it really is about what you want to do and how far you want to take it. Kayaking will take you to the very pinnacles of competition.
E alu like mai kakou

#25 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 1:21pm

Our kids paddle because they are having fun, no fun, no paddle.

The original thread was how to paddle fast. We will take that information back to our training sessions and get our basics down so the kids can have more fun. We paddle kayaks and canoes on the river, best way to make sure these kids have a career path through college is to make sure they do not neglect their studies. Build a good work ethic at school by instilling the same values into the paddling program.

Didn't someone famous in Hawaii say "Fun is mandatory" in one of their promotional vids.

#27 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 3:17pm

Thank you HKCT for providing an excellent model of how a development program should run. Thank you for an excellent post, Pat.

#29 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 7:50pm

So many paddlers are driven by egos.. its ridiculous.

So this thread brings up some phylisophical questions. One question I have... with the kids, what is the obsession? Is it sincere "giving back"? Or is it, because "I couldn't"? Would being a champion paddler truly enrich their life? Canoe has given me the chance to discover the ocean further. Competing has cost me my job, my wife and I have stage 1 skin cancer.

#31 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 9:05pm

the funny thing.....keizo calls out kai bartlett.......... well keizo im calling you out..... because someone has an opinon, has a suggestion you call them out? is that how this post works???? its not a battle field...... its an opinion post open for opinions and suggestions ..... so why dont we keep it that way....... have any of you talked to keizos " kai bartlett" ???? Well if you have this guy cares more about the youth paddling and paddling in general...... you cant find someone more passionate about the sport!!!! right on pat keep training and working hard it will pay off.... as in life

#33 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 9:42pm

Aloha-

Long time visitor to ocpaddler.com, first time poster. I wanted to follow up on the posts by Pat, Sean, and apparently Kai.

My frustration is this. I see people throughout the Hawaii paddling community kowtowing to all things "Tahitian": fast stroke rates, double bend paddles, V-1's, et cetera. The sense I get is that people here believe that the "Tahitians" are far superior to local paddlers, and we must radically change our way of paddling in order reach their level. This perception could not be farther from the truth.

Initially, let's stop referring to "Tahitians" as an aggregate. I often hear people talking about "the Tahitians do this . . . the Tahitians do that." The Tahitians don't act in unison. And in terms of dominance, we are really only dealing with Shell Vaa. In recent Hoes, local crews have beaten other top teams from Tahiti such as OPT (A and B), EDT, Erai, and Paddling Connection. Team Hawaii has been very successful in Havaiki Nui. Don't sell Hawaii’s paddlers short.

The question then becomes, how do we get closer to Shell? The answer, I believe, has been outlined by Pat: technique and training. In terms of technique, we have been cursed by the one-man. It seems that around 10 years ago, one-mans took over. If you were a fast one-manner, you were assumed to be a fast six-manner. Most successful one-manners have developed unique techniques that work for them. Over time, having better one-manners in your crew became more important than coaching the crew on technique. Technique fell by the wayside.

This approach worked for a number of years. In general, the crews that won the Hoes between 2000 and 2005 had the best one-manners.

Shell, after coming in second to Lanikai in 2004, came back in 2006 with a renewed emphasis on coaching. The Shell crew had some ringers, but was by no means the top Tahitian V-1 paddlers. But they had excellent coaching and were focused on the six-man. I think that in order to compete with Shell, a crew will have to be well-coached over a significant period of time (months to years). That crew will also have to train together; jumping in at the last minute will not cut it.

A crew of thrown together, fast one-manners will always be competitive. I just don’t think that such a crew can compete with Shell.

With respect to training, there is no secret. You need to put time in on the water. There should be a mix of long runs and sprint intervals, flat water and surf runs. Shell trains 2-3 times per day. That is a difficult proposition for working stiffs like me. But it is what we should strive for.

As I said above, Shell does not have the top 9 V-1 paddlers in Tahiti in its crew (probably because top individual paddlers are typically difficult to coach in team boats). All of its paddlers, however, train like the top V-1’ers and race with them. In Hawaii, on the other hand, there are only a handful of paddlers that train at a high level. There is thus a much smaller pool to select from. We have maybe 15-20 competitive paddlers in a given race in Hawaii. In Tahiti, it seems that there are 100’s. Get out and train people.

The type of boat that you train on, to me, is less important. I grew up paddling for Lanikai and Mid-Pac and doing the HCKT thing. I didn’t start one-manning until after college. As Sean points out, kayaking is great for cardio and developing good rotation and balance in your stroke. And traveling the world to race exposes you to different training methods. In general, you learn what it takes to race at a very high level. I am a big fan of kayaking (surfski and K-1) as a supplement to canoe paddling.

I have only V-1’d a few times (I like paddling in big surf), and don’t feel qualified to speak on its usefulness. I am sure, however, that paddling V-1’s, alone, is not the key to beating Shell. If you have more fun paddling a V-1, then go for it. Whatever motivates you to train.

I fully support HVA’s inspired efforts to develop youth paddling. We started a similar program at Lanikai a few years back on one-mans, and it fostered the Dolans and Jack Roney, who are now able to compete at a high level at very young ages. My hope, however, is that HVA, in trying to reach its goals, does not inadvertently undermine our canoe clubs and HCKT in the process.

One final note. In my humble opinion, a poster’s desire to remain anonymous should be respected, especially if one of the purposes of this site is to encourage discussion.

Aaron

#35 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 9:57pm

Someone shared a pic of Shell Va'a so I looked at some of the pics from the HVA race and damn, this looks pretty good to me - This is probably a bad angle but check out the torso rotation of the HVA around the hat winner, and Team Primo member, Mael Carey...Awesome paddling - from paris to hawaii to tahiti to hawaii - maika'i no

#37 Thu, 10/22/2009 - 11:11pm

As a young paddler I'm stoked about getting to participate in HVA's program. After only a few years of paddling it's obvious that there are only a few paddlers per crew that are actually dedicated to training and getting to the next level (for "most" clubs). I think it's great that the young paddlers who have been motivated and dedicated to training have a chance to finally be with a group in where everyone is at the same caliber.

This summer I was fortunate enough for Hui Nalu's 18's coach to take me in, and coach me. This summer the level at which I paddle has increased drastically. But now that summer is over, he has other obligations such as his Kayaking team for Kamehameha. HCKT is a great way for the youth to train get exposure to kayaking outside of Hawai'i, but it cost money to be apart of it, and honestly, after paying my college tuition, I don't have much money to spend.

Since I live on the Big Island (and my canoe is there), but go to school here on O'ahu, it is very hard to find ways to get in the water, and I have had no one to help teach me once 6 man season is over. What HVA is doing is great. I have a chance to be in the water again, and get more experience learning from them. Let's face it, we're all young kids, and while we may be fit and conditioned that isn't enough. What we need is older more experienced paddler's and coaches to teach us, and we need the experience. I believe this is what we'll gain from HVA's youth training program, and I'm stoked for the experience we're gonna have.

#39 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:23am

Basically, it simply is the water pairing up with force exerted on it with your paddle blade, and shoving you forward with the same amount of force. So the more efficient your stroke, the faster you go. The choice is yours: move more water going backwards faster, or move the canoe forward faster, which is it?

#41 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 1:26am

Hysterical ..... BUDDY ............ lol.

#43 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 7:52am

ouch burn

#45 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:48am

I am curious how the power or propulsive phase in the swimming stroke compares to the power phase in a paddlesport stroke.

What Pat discussed is consistent with what you will find when you look at the power distribution curve of both swimmers and paddlers during swimming or paddling stroke.

The comparisions that have been done between elite level athletes and novice athletes are very apparent when you look at how power is applied.
(1) At the entry of the stroke, a swimmer does NOT immediately start pulling water. When the hand enters the water, there is a deliberate stretch/extension of the arms to grab as much water as possible with a torso rotation before the pull begins. Youtube an Ian Thorpe video for reference - thats the best ive seen on stroke analysis

(2) The hands are relaxed to allow the feel for the water as the swimmer moves his arms and hands in an s pattern to grab still water throughout the stroke. In paddling, hands are also relaxed so as to allow the larger muscles to do the work and feel for the blades contact with water so over pulling does not occur that may cause more turbulence and drag.

(3) Peak power comes very early on in the stroke for an elite paddler as compared to a novice paddler. In a novice paddler, peak power comes from the middle portion of the stroke in what resembles a bell shape curve.

(4) Coming close to the end of the swimming stroke, the hands angle of attack is still 90 degrees to provide maximum forward propulsion and minimize unnecessary drag. As the hand exits the water, its like pulling the hands out of pocket. in paddling, the blade upon exit does not past the hips where the blade can pull the hull down if pulled too far back.

Read Pat's post, and you will find its all consistent with what people find when comparing elite versus novice - and dynamics of propulsive force similarities between swimmers and paddlers.

I'm sure theres more but thats what I can recall at the moment.

#47 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:41am

Wright Bowman :-}
http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/alohawrighto.html

Bobby Puakea - Puakea Foundation

Check out uncle's website: http://www.puakea.org/

#49 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:12am

Would it be safe to stay that Shell Va'a combined with all the training, coaching, technique and support. That they have just capitalized on a more crucial aspect of culture that we are just missing here in Hawaii, The ability to "work together as one". Hawaiian culture is abound in the aspect of working together as one from building a halau to doing the hula, everything I have learned in Hawaiian culture is that this has been the underlying force that is crucial to the success of the endeavor at hand. I may be wrong but it seems that the key to being a good OC-6 paddler is:
1) being conscientious about what you and your crew are doing, but more about what you are doing.
2) having a completely open mind to better yourself and your crew, and take critique.
3) being able to check the ego at the door.
4) and being a team player.
Yes I agree paddling with the same guys all the time is very beneficial to the success level and I don't believe the OC-1 can teach you how to work well with others, this entirely on paddler. IMHO the OC-1 ego train has derailed the key element of "working together" in OC-6. Not all competitive one-manners have egos, but individualism in team sports seems to be a stumbling block to success in all sports. Shell Va'a is a TEAM of humble individuals who probably subscribe to the idea that being an individual on a team of nine isn't in the best interest of their success, as a team. It only takes one mess it all up, but takes ALL to be successful. I also agree that "feeling" is a greater element to learn, and "feeling" goes deeper than just feeling the ocean. Clear the mind, be aware and focused, and don't forget the cultural aspect of "working together". If you watch Shell you can see this in the way they paddle, it is a beautiful thing. We should all take this into consideration when we are together in Hei Hei Wa'a.

!!!Aloha!!!

#51 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:01am

In the spirit of unity and reconciliation, I invite both Keizo, and 123, aka Kai, to sit down with me and have a conversation with each other over a beer, well, maybe many beers (let's be realistic, it just tastes so good).

Whether I were black or white, Pueo or Scorpius, I think that me commenting on this and hopefully contributing to constructive, as opposed to negative, understandings about the issue is part of my prowess on the web and the water (I own bodysurfing Sandy's shorebreak).

I hope this can be a “teachable moment” – where “instead of pumping up the volume” American can focus on how to improve relations between police officers and minority communities, and more importantly, relations between the Pueo and Scorpius conglomerates.

Place of Reconciliation: 939 Ke`eaumoku st.
Time of Reconciliation: 4:20p.m.

Oh, and to maintain the continuity of this thread, I am calling myself out.

I love the ocean, I love Hawai`i, but most of all, I love unity on the water.

Ocpaddler.com, I am Barack Obama, I am numerouno.

#53 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:58pm

Aaron, the point I wanted to make is that EVERY tahitian team that comes to Hawaii does well... not just Shell... And that even when you send a "Dream Team" in Tahiti, there are many local crews in front of them... Think about it. Of course Shell is dominating, but there are a lot of teams just behind them, and those are not profesional paddlers... How come they do so well ?

#55 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:56pm

Tahiti is fast. Can Hawaii beat them? I believe so. First, we need to create a little more passion in our sport. I don't mean the guys and gals of every club in the state but the businesses, classrooms, newsrooms etc. Our top dogs can go by the Alamoana shopping center on a crowded day and be lucky if somebody recognized them for their paddling acheivements. If you spear a couple of nice fish you probably get more press. In Tahiti everybody knows the top paddlers,. Karel,Dubois, Cronstead etc. Its like look there's Michael Jordan. Every person in Tahiti is interested on the accomplishments of their countrymen. Lets get behind our paddlers and cheer them. Secondly, I do believe at least partially that our technique could use a little changing. Its O.k. to admit it to yourself that maybe we can improve with a higher candence or bottom arm pull or more leg drive. The Tahitians learned from us, not to mentioned the Austrailans,New Zealand etc, when Hawaii was winning. Now that they are moving(a little faster) we can learn from them. After several conversations with the top paddlers in Tahiti I believe that the rudderless provides them with an advantage. The stroke is way up front and quiet. They don't want to disturb the waterline. They plant both legs and engage the stroke from the core(Pat explained it well). Most of us in Hawaii (in the last couple of years) , paddled a one beat thru the water and two beats on the recovery. this mind set would give you more rest and in turn provide you with more power throughout the race. The Tahitians do the opposite. Hence the term spinning the basketball. Strong thru the water and quick recovery. When we paddle our oc-1, you move forward and back(some more than others) or hump like hell to catch a bump. Not recommended in the rudderless. You will go slower. All the Tahitians understand steering in the 6 man because of the rudderless training. Now, I don't know if the rudderless is the answer but its working for them. Third reason, training. They put in some mad ours. Say all you want but we need to find time to match them. Sponsorships, grants, donations, business involvement whatever. Fourth, get the youths involved....all goes back to passion. Can we beat the Tahitians? I believe so. it will take a big effort and commitment but the Hawaiians will be back on top. I'm a diver not a english teacher. By the way dis is my humble opinion.

#57 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 4:11pm

Has anyone taken the time to live and train in Tahiti to see what it is like and how they approach the sport?

emili did. you can get first hand info from her.

#59 Fri, 10/23/2009 - 8:16pm

It seemed to me from the description of Molokai that Shell and Primo were pretty close for most of the race until they split and took different lines. I wonder what the result or time gap would have been had they both taken the same line? In addition to just speed, throw some tactics into the mix and we can have another discussion.

#61 Sat, 10/24/2009 - 5:20pm

Evening guys! Pat, what a thread! Guys, great discussion. TC, arguably the only one who really knows what goes on with tahitian training. I commend all organizations such as HCKT,HVA,ILH,OIA,Na Opio and all the outside island high schools for giving the future watermen and women of Hawaii a place where they can be introduced too, and hone their particular disciplines. Without these individuals our keiki would be left to finding themselves trying to fit into the non watersport world of"MTV". "BIG MAHALO"!
I just returned from the ILH JV championships and Varsity Sprints, the varsity distance finals will be next week. After watching these young and very competitive individuals for the last two months,I can only say that as far as the ILH goes, this canoe season will be a good one. The skills and technique that these young people display will only enhance what they will do together as a team when the canoe season starts. Participants from jv to varsity displaying various skill levels will only increase as time goes on. After the boys and girls sprint finals, I turned to Stanley Dickson and said,"it is so great too see so much talent in the water"! he agreed. As with everything out there, our kids are our hopes and dreams of tomorrow. There is two things about ILH kayaking that need to be said. One not so good and one very good. Not so good: need to do away with the catastrophic liability so that middle school kids can participate in kayaking like other intermediate sports. GREAT: "EVERYONE PARTICIPATES ON RACE DAY! NO ONE DECORATES THE SIDELINES! THANK YOU ILH KAYAK COACHES!
A great big mahalo to Wally Aina(A.D. Damien H.S.) for his running of the ILH kayak races.Water cures all!
"Big Boys"Kick and Glide!

#63 Sat, 10/24/2009 - 10:09pm

Yankee is correct. Conditions that are average in terms of Hawaiian size/wind speed become much scarier in cold temps, where a huli or boat loss can quickly result in hypothermia. It's just completely different dealing w/ the cold.

#65 Sun, 10/25/2009 - 6:45am

two divisions
Seniors = 20yrs+
Veterans = 40yrs+

go to hawaikinuivaa website, there are some veteran teams
http://www.hawaikinuivaa.pf/s%C3%A9nior-homme/engages.html?cat=2
but basicaly most of the competitive veterans paddle in a senior team. hehehe

#67 Sun, 10/25/2009 - 5:26pm

This discussion undoubtedly focuses on the quest to find the ultimate in canoe paddling. Thankfully, some of the best have shared invaluable posts. I am in no way physically at the level of some of you, and I admire and envy your capabilities and commitment. Pat Dolan’s commitment is as deep as it gets. He understands accurately that it comes down to technique and training.

I help run a small canoe club here in Hawaii. Last year, one of my fellow coaches had arranged for Shell Va’a’s escort boat and helped chart their line. He explained to me that what Shell Va’a’s coach told him (in Tahitian) what he teaches their paddlers is that before anything else is understanding how to utilize the Mana of the ocean to come through their blades and into their bodies and tap that power to move the canoe. I’m sure many Hawaiian clubs already have the same beliefs, but I’ve never heard that being addressed in any online discussion. What does Shell Va’a’ coach mean? Is this and intellectual concept or is it an actual physical experience?

Is utilizing Mana relative? If you have someone that can tap Mana and yet have no physical condition, the canoe ain’t going to move. Physical ability will move the boat without having an awareness of Mana. But, if you took two crews with identical physical power, and one crew knowing how to utilize Mana and the other not, which one would move better?

Canoe paddling is a sport. And for many as a sport its goal is to win races. In my humble opinion, canoe paddling goes deeper that just winning races. I was explained to by one of my great teachers that Hawaiians are a seafaring people. We would not exist if it were not for our canoe paddling. The essence of our culture can be found in it. How where the first Hawaiians able to come from the South Pacific or Indonesian corridor (depending on which theory you have) to go to a place that was not known, It was their intuitive perception, that is their ability to know the unknown, to see what could not be seen, to hear what could not be heard. They could not have known the future from the past, or the unknown from the known (or it wouldn’t be unknown). If those first Hawaiians, were off by one degree, we all would not be alive today.

So this intuitive perception is by essence in our nature, although we don’t always use it. It seems that in the canoe there is the opportunity to utilize it to feel and become one with your crew, for example. Not only that, it seems imperative to utilize it to feel the bumps, that you can’t even see, before they appear, so that it’s never too late.

I would think that the prerequisite to intuitive perception is the energy or Mana needed first before physical, conscious and unconscious ability. So, Mana comes first. What I’ve learned is that Mana is a physical sensation, not just intellectual. We have all heard about the Mana in our Koa canoes. So we have a sense that it exists in that fashion. If you held the shaft of a paddle like you would a wooden sword with the blade away from you, you can feel where the Mana in that paddle is centralized. It could easily be felt in the middle of the shaft. There is a way to move that Mana from the shaft to the blade so that if you held the same paddle again you would feel the Mana in the blade.

So, Shell Va’a’ s theory to utilize Mana might just be more than just a theory. To me this is what the Hawaiian crews need to discover. Physically, the best Hawaiian paddlers are already there. So that on the level or playing field of win lose they might have an advantage, with a direct understanding of Mana. On a deeper level, with the understanding of their true self nature, their would be no win lose so that they would be winning and losing at the same time before that even got in the canoe….but that’s beyond the scope of this discussion. Mahalo for your time. Aloha.

#69 Sun, 10/25/2009 - 9:49pm