For days now, I have been reading heated discussions about paddling, with much of the content having a negative slant or connotation. I find that really sad given how much fun paddling is, and is supposed to be. If you are not from Hawaii and have been reading the posts lately, I can't imagine what you must think of paddling here.
I want to turn a positive angle on this and thank all the paddlers who keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it competitive. I travel frequently to other Hawaiian islands for paddling events, and I have never had anything but positive experiences. I want to specifically thank paddlers on Maui. We have some of the most competitive paddling to be found anywhere, but the paddling community here is just that... a community of individuals sharing a common love for the sport of paddling.
Maui paddlers are fortunate to enjoy competing with World Class paddlers (both male and female), who demonstrate grace and understanding with less talented paddlers. After a race, it's common to hear them dolling out advice and answering seemingly endless questions (usually from me), while enjoying a cold beverage or two. If it gets old for them, you would never know it by their actions. They deserve the respect and admiration that they have earned, and I think a little appreciation goes a long way.
I invite those of you who have had positive paddling experiences to share them here. Let the world know how much fun it is to paddle where you live. If you have a paddling mentor that you haven't been in contact with for a while, take a second to acknowledge them for introducing you to the sport you love. Or, take a new paddler and become their mentor.
As for me, I would like to thank Illima Kalama, Malama Chun, Kawika Williams, Rick Nu'u, and Alan Carlsson (my coaches) for their time, patience, and sacrifices to teach me how to paddle, how to train, how to read the water, even how to relax. My appreciation goes beyone mere words. Because of your efforts, I'm a better paddler, and a better person.
Mahalo.
Submitted by dmehling on Wed, 11/29/2006 - 10:37am
Hi Dmehling:
The one Maui Race that I had fun at was the one in Hana. I was invited to participate with a put together crew and we got 2nd place! It was sooo beautiful there and the people were awesome. I got to stay at the Hana Hotel (I think that's the name) and met paddlers not only from Maui, but from the other islands as well. I stayed the weekend, and when it was time to go, I made some really great friends. We still keep in touch! I would love to do that race again and encourage other paddlers to do it as well. What I can't forget when leaving Hana was a full-size ford truck infront of us towing a 6-man on it's roof!! I took a few pictures of it. (You know those Hana turns are too sharp for trailers). Anyone else did that race? (6-man race)
Aloha4aina
#1 Thu, 11/30/2006 - 9:16am
I mirror your thoughts on paddling in Maui Don, you guys exist in an aura of Aloha over there. Us Aussies call it mateship and paddling is the thread that binds us all together. When Thor and i spent 10 days in Maui and Oahu in April this year, neither of us experienced any rejection or bad behavour towards us, within the races we did, or when just enjoying the lifestyle all you lucky buggers have over there. We were taken to favorite places, lent canoes, and never once did we feel not welcome. At the Starbucks Maui - Molokai race we stood in awe at the number of top paddlers that we shared the race with. I rigged next to, spoke to and paddled much of the race with Nappy, which put a whole new perspective on outrigger paddling for me. After having paddled with Walter Guild and Todd Bradley in 1995 at the Hamilton Island Cup and experiencing the Hawaiian outlook on paddling, i was looking forward to the day when i could paddle in your region and learn more about the cultural side of the sport.
For me in Australia, my coaches Jason Sommerville - Kimlin in the early '90s and Danny Sheard of late, both top Aussie paddlers, have guided me to where i am now, but still with a long way to go. Thank you.
Your Aloha is alive and well, fear not.
Cheers Rambo
#2 Wed, 11/29/2006 - 1:56pm
I am glad you started this thread. I have paddling for about 15 years now. One of the most remarkable aspects of this sport is how nice the people are. Although I am an average paddler I have had the chance to meet and paddle with most every top paddler in Hawaii and to a person they have been friendly and helpful. From the front of the pack to the back of the pack it doesn't matter... the people I have met in paddling have been exceptional.
This is my "Why Nappy Is Such a Cool Guy' story. The first time I did a Makapuu run in an OC1 Nappy was in the group of people I was with. We paddled out to the point below the lighthouse to line up. As we sat there waiting for the group to gather Nappy asked me if I had ever done this run before. I told him no. He just nodded his head. I should add here that if you've never done this run it can be really rough, even by Hawaii standards. Anyways, we started and the group of I was with was beginning to pull away. I looked to my left and there was Nappy keeping an eye on me. He stayed nearby all the way to Portlock Point. He could have easily pulled away but he chose, instead, to keep an eye on me and make sure I made it safely. I have always been grateful to him for that. But I bet if you were to ask him he wouldn't even remember. I don't think it was any big thing for him. Just Nappy being Nappy.
#3 Wed, 11/29/2006 - 4:36pm
Thanks for the positive letter! The Mehlings just put on a race on Thanksgiving that has an entry fee of canned goods and is there to bring attention to and awareness of hunger on our island of Maui. They ran a great "race" with winners based on pre guessed finishing times. It definitely fits in with the view that Dmehling is sharing with the paddling world. Enjoy!
#4 Thu, 11/30/2006 - 7:40pm
Thanks Don, I can’t wait to meet you.
Paddling has profoundly affected my life.
My "list" of good friends are the same people that share the love of the sport and they have helped transform my life. I am extremely grateful for their influence and Aloha.
It was Pat Barton who injected the sport and spirit in me and he is to blame for everything there after.
There are so many people that are somewhat lesser co-conspirators for my obsession with outrigger paddling (as I have no responsibility in this at all) but the ones that bear the most culpability are, in no particular order:
• Jim and Deb Hall for teasing me with an OC-2 and then ripping it from my grasp.
• Blake Conant for his continuous “presence†and forcing his Aloha on me with “itâ€.
• The “TDKsâ€, they know who they are and what they have done.
• Eric McNett for falsely accusing me of “being coolâ€. (He will pay for this.)
• Everyone else in ECORA for showing up at races/events and perpetuating the madness.
• Canucks that paddle outriggers! What else needs to be said?
• The last time we (my wife and I) were on Maui, we bugged Sharon and Ricky so much; they finally “let us†paddle with the Lae’ula O Kai women. 0530 in the morning, beautiful sunrise, canoes on the ocean…what-ever!
• Most recently and possibly most damaging, Keizo. He’s so Aloha and “old spirit†he must be in cahoots with Blake.
All seriousness aside; to those that don’t get it but think they “representâ€, there is still time…
If it wasn’t for my relationship with the coolest person I have ever met, I am quite sure that even if I had met all of these people at some point in my life, I might not have taken the time to listen and learn…for this, there isn’t a way to say how thankful I am, except Mahalo and Aloha Anne.
#5 Sat, 12/02/2006 - 4:46am