Aloha,
Over the last year I have been thinking of how we can spread the world about our sport and make OC1 paddling into a sport where one might make a professional living off of it or at very best support his buying paddles boats ect.I found this magazine that gets huge news stand coverage and it is totally about all forms of paddling so I contacted the editor and asked about getting into the magazine with a story on the Molokai Solo and just maybe getting a front page cover photo to push us into the limelight...he answered back with send me the story and the pictures we would be glad to.So now here is the problem,we need a story over and above the race it self and we need some great pictures up close and personal of the best our sport has to offer.So its easy get a photographer and a journalist and away we go,so is there any one out there with these skills who has a passion for the sport of outrigger canoe paddling wants to be published in a major magazine and get paid in the process for their work and help get the exposure this race really needs.
Submitted by eddiesurfhawaii on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 7:15pm
no comments ????
#1 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 1:18pm
You have a boat to take the photographer and writer on, so they can watch/capture/zoom around the race for the men and women? Emailed you about a photographer that would do it if there's a writer and boat to jump.
#2 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 2:44pm
I'll bite. You said," Over the last year I have been thinking of how we can spread the world about our sport and make OC1 paddling into a sport where one might make a professional living off of it or at very best support his buying paddles boats ect."
I thought it was interesting that your premise for promoting paddling is so a few people can make a professional living from it. If that's the case, then why should anyone except for the select few at the top care? I have my own answers but I'm curious to hear others.
I also thought it was interesting that you focused on "his buying paddles, boats, etc." I'm not nitpicking. I think it's interesting because in our club and this neck of the woods(So Cal) most of the growth in paddling that I see is among women. If you look at the big races, Molokai, Queen Liliuokalani, etc. women's participation is right on par with men. OC1 is a different story though.
I think the important issue is how will increased exposure improve paddling for your average paddler. 99.9% of paddlers are never going to paddle like Kai, Lauren, or name whatever star you want. Most paddlers go to races and have an absolute blast even when they still finish 30+ minutes behind the winner. The experience on the water, friendships on land, and perpetuating a tradition seems to matter much more than where they finished.
The problem I see is that most of the equipment is geared to the high end and some entry-level paddlers are discouraged when they start out. You can tell right away who will stick with one-man paddling. Everyone falls in a bunch and some people still absolutely love it. You know they're hooked. The other ones respectfully thank you for taking them out and you don't see them again. Maybe with some cheap entry level equipment and instruction you could get more people past the awkward stage.
The other problem I see is that the club structure and racing schedule is antiquated and discourages a lot of people. No matter how you slice it, racing with a club through the whole season is a huge time commitment. You see a lot of people drop out when it becomes an issue of managing families and jobs with their paddling. Because of this, it's only the true die-hard, addicts that are left. These people are great. Pretty much everyone on this board is one but if you have to be an addict to participate then you'll never grow.
I think this latter issue is probably the most important. I've paddled in Hawaii and California and I've noticed there's a huge dropoff among novice paddlers. The recruiting seems to go fine as there's plenty of new paddlers every year but when you look at the number that actually stay involved the attrition rate is really high.
I'm not sure what the answer is but I'm pretty sure that solving the problems at the grass roots will bring what the guys at the top want. Surf companies sponsor guys so they can market to the masses. No masses = no $.
Whether today's paddlers really want the masses to be involved is another question.
#3 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 3:02pm
Paddling is too hard to have mass appeal, which is also the cool thing about it. You know that almost anyone who devotes years and years to this sport has a certain depth to their character that you aren't going to find in every recreational sport, and paddling doesn't have that huge aura of coolness to it so you aren't going to find many poseurs, like in snowboarding or surfing. People who stick with it do so because like Nappy says in Keizo's video, they like to paddle. I wish everyone on Earth would paddle, the world would be a WAY better place, but I really don't see it happening. But as for Eddies original question, I think that's a great idea. About twenty years ago there was an article about paddling in Sports Illustrated. I think it covered the then up and coming Lanikai Canoe Club. The writer's name escapes me, but he later wrote the screenplay for " Without Limits", a film about middle distance runner Steve Prefontaine.
#4 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 3:28pm
The writer's name is Kenny Moore.
#5 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 3:34pm
I agree but when you look at the popularity of paddling in South Africa and Tahiti it suggests otherwise.
Surfski races in SA have hundreds of people. I've heard not just 100 or even 200. I've heard up to 400 in some. That's the one that gets me. It contradicts all of the supposed reasons why paddling isn't popular. SA has cold, sharky water that's often really dangerous. Getting good on a ski is harder than a one man. Despite that, paddling seems to thrive there.
Tahiti is easier to understand. Still though, until you see video of the Hawaiki Nui and talk to people that go there, it's hard to fathom just how much bigger paddling is there than anywhere in the world. They're in a whole different realm.
They're doing something different in both of these places. Maybe someone can shed some light.
#6 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 4:16pm
Someone just told me this week...
Paddling in Tahiti IS life.
Paddling in America/Hawaii is used to escape life.
It really is that simple.
The above thoughts come from a Tahitian paddler, not a person talking about a country they've visited to watch a race.
#7 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 4:35pm
Years ago John Puakea and I were at a manufacturers exhibit in the parking lot of one of socals largest kayak dealers. The comment was made by a kayak maker that Johhnys OC1's should cost double what they do.....and thats when they were less than 3 grand. And in truth every new carbon OC1 should probably cost $5,000 now. The fact is the current outrigger market demands a high tech product for dirt cheap, and yet even though the builders are cutting costs as much as possible, the canoes are still out of most peoples price range. 90% of most kayak paddlers are weekend warriors. Probably half OC1 paddlers are pretty damn serious. Serious enough to drop 3-4K.
#8 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 4:34pm
Eh brah, charge'um...I'll read it and so will everyone else in this forum.
#9 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 5:46pm
How many of those 400 in sa are born and raised there? what is the population of the cities in the areas where all the sa paddlers live? how many people in tahiti? how many paddlers in tahiti are born and raised there? now how many people in hawaii? and how many of the total paddlers are born and raised in hawaii? it sounds like sa and tahiti breeds paddlers? hawaii has to recruit them for the most part. its like the number if great high school and college athletes for certain sports thrive in certain parts of the country. because in those places its a way of life. its not a group of people asking someone in their 20's or 30's or 40's to come out and try the game if basketball.
#10 Wed, 04/02/2008 - 11:58pm
Paddlers Unite, go forth and multiply, we need more bodies.
By the way Vegemite is known to increase fertility,
Cheers Rambo
#11 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 1:00am
Cutting costs as much as possible? OCs are the only sporting goods product I can think of where switching the manufacturing to China has not resulted in lower prices. 5k for an American made OC1 sounds about right, though. I think the prices will drop when the Chinese take over the marketing and selling as well as the production.
#12 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 3:24am
Lets hope that the chinese dont take over all aspects. A lot of people have seen 2 very different types of canoes come out of china. some that so far look to be of very high quality and some that alot of people dont even feel safe being on in the water here in hawaii. it appears that the boats where production is controlled by hawaiian builders and with their own name on the canoe even are of much higher quality than of the canoes where cutting costs seem to be the name of the game. and it is unfortunate but why would any business man lower his price of any product when they can sell out of 40 of them before they even land in the stores? supply and demand. the china boats wont be top dollar forever but as long as there isnt a surplus, which there still isnt, the prices will remain. i have no problem paying the same price for the china version if the quality is the same. i do have a problem paying less for a canoe that cant be trusted in the open ocean because costs were cut.. and that is the only way to "bring paddling to the masses" or to build some "entry level" canoe. so many seem to expect the builders to just lower the prices out of the goodness of their own heart. if its a high quality canoe that is also safe and reliable that people demand, i hate to say it but i bet that it wont come to the masses until there are more canoes owned by the clubs or dare i say, oc1 clubs.how many years did it take for cars to have such a high spread of price ranges where the lower end of the range was considered safe and reliable? and people want that same thing from canoe oc1 builders in 5 year?? get real and wake up. ncie to dream but you have to wake up sometime.
#13 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 3:57am
I was just responding to the earlier post where brother Aquafiend had suggested that the builders had already lowered the prices of their own volition. Jp, to what chinese made boats are you referring specifically? The shiny ones that fall apart at sea, I mean...just say it, brahdah! Why is everyone so intimidated by that guy? Or are you just being nice. Your honesty could save someones life, if not just sparing them the whole ordeal of buying a crappy boat that looks good.
#14 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 4:22am
Ive never paddled a Hypr canoe, but I have repaired a few. Apart from the poor construction, how does the actuall hull perform? Im curious because Im trying my hand at shaping an OC1 (dont worry its not going into production, its just for my own use/curiosity) and I never gave the Hypr consideration as having any performance features to contibute but I may very well be wrong. Any Hypr owners care to share about thier canoes performance?
#15 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 7:28am
Some very good comments ,sorry about the gender issue I'm all for females paddlers since at the moment Im training with our top girl Kelsa to do the solo and hope she will give Lauren some friendly competition.At the moment I have found a write and still need for all the paddlers doing the solo to snap some good pictures suitable for publication.I really wish only to help support the race and give other paddlers exposure to outrigger canoeing.If it takes off with the masses it shall be not only of my doing but everyone getting the word out their that this sport rocks...Aloha As for boats I feel that people can share the expense such as members of our club have by going in on a new OC1 togther and spreading the cost over two to three people.Prices will come down when a builder steps to the plate with Chain and builds to suit demand.I have gone into paddling stores on the maiinland and seen ocean kayaks costing $3000 why not have an OC1 on display as well,same price.I was talking at length with some friends the other day about making storage in the front and rear of the boat for fishing and night stay overs...or designing something of a watertight case to mount for equipment.Don't get me wrong here I love to race but it would be also cool to go with friends up the coast pull in and camp for the evening...that's an idea for the masses.
#16 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 10:13am
writer opps
#17 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 10:14am
no one said I was a rocket scientist..just a guy who loves to paddle !!!
#18 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 10:16am
I'm with the "organic ocean loving type paddler model" of outrigger canoing .... just the way it is right now. Isn't that the attraction? Why try and change something that most people will never understand by bring in bulk numbers. You either love the ocean, or you don't, simple as that.
If the manufacturers of paddling equipment see a need to increase participation in order to sell more product, let them promote OC. I think they're happy just the way things are, small businesses with close connections to their customers and able to design canoes to suit. ..... Do you really want to buy your canoe from Wal-mart and be told this is what you need?
Salesman -
"Oh yeah man it has 3 pac aerospace paint, adjustable non fog rear view mirrors, integral LCD screen with wireless Internet access to OC Paddler, twin ipod sockets, vegemite dispenser and looks fantastic bolted to the roof of your new truck.
Non organic Customer -
Oh cool, can you bung it on the card ... ooohh i love my Visa.
The people that "need" to come in contact with Oc Paddling will find it, "cos they're looking for something. Isn't that how most of YOU were found?
Let's just spread the Ohana by word of mouth, (or a video on Rambo's Locker, hahaa) and let new paddlers discover OC paddling by seeing the joy on our faces or the dreamy look in our eyes after a Moffat or Dume Run.
Eddie, i know your intentions are good, and you just wanna tell the world how good OC paddling is (don't we all), but most people just won't GET IT reading a Mag. Mags are for the converted. Would you buy a bike Mag if you don't ride a bike?
People like Mariano Larghi from Argentina have the right idea, with heaps of passion, start a club, build canoes, spread the word, promote the culture.
What's the point of dying .... we already live in Heaven.
Cheers Rambo
#19 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 1:14pm
"You either love the ocean, or you don’t, simple as that."
Funny, I got a dose of that when I went to Sydney and talked to some guys down there. I was talking to them about paddling and paddleboarding like everyone in Australia knew about those sports. After a few sentences one of stopped me and asked, "What the hell is paddleboarding?" As for outriggers, they had no clue either. I had assumed everyone near the coast Oz was in the ocean, my bad...
#20 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 1:40pm
Rambo for president !
#21 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 2:14pm
I posted a forum topic asking who people thought were the knowledgable paddling people in their respective locales(1 response, thanks Jibofo) and it occured to me while working the next day that one of the world's foremost experts was there on Ocpaddler.com, available to all w/ access to a PC. Rambo-paddling guru to the world!
#22 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 2:50pm
Sydney !!! Definatley not outrigger central jc, you need to go 8 hrs North too Queensland to see that. Now were did Jamie Mitchell the current World Paddle board Champion come from, was it .. oh yeah Australia.
Australian Jamie Mitchell Posts 6th Win in Record Time.
Honolulu - (July 29, 2007) - Australian paddleboarding phenomenon Jamie Mitchell, 30, continues to reign supreme after posting his sixth consecutive win of the 32-mile Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race in a record time of 4:48:23 today. Mitchell shared the winners dais with fellow Australian Shakira Westdorp, 22, who took first place in the women's division with a time of 5:59:52. Kauai's Kevin Horgan posted a narrow win in the stand-up paddleboard division, presented by C4 Waterman (6:20:59), and Oahu's Keoni Watson won the 12-foot stockboard division (5:39:48). Conditions were excellent for today's race, offering 15- to 20-knot easterlies and open ocean swells of four to six feet. The Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race is considered the world championship for long distance paddlers.
Cheers Rambo
#23 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 2:51pm
That guy's just a total beast. He'd probably dominate oc1 if he wanted to make the switch.
#24 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 2:54pm
Oh Jim, i have a confession to make. I DO have an LCD screen built in to my Peggie ...... how else can i train AND surf OC Paddler with only 24 hrs in a day. .... Hahaaaa.
Cheers Rambo
#25 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 2:57pm
That's it what its all about bring him on...Im sure if the winner got $15,000 instead of $5000 he would make the transition to OC1...see $5000 just covers your expenses if you traveling form Queensland...Ramboo lets hook up for a beer when you get to Molokai on April the 27th or are you doing the Epic race ?
#26 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 3:07pm
from god my typing skills suck !!!
#27 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 3:11pm
And our Jamie a Queenslander of course can surf too...
Gold Coaster, Jamie Mitchell, undisputed world's best paddleboarder, is fast gaining a reputation for living on the edge as he takes on some of the world's biggest, heaviest waves. Here he is surfing California's Mavericks.
Cheers Rambo
#28 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 3:14pm
its great being a waterman...love the video's Rambo
#29 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 9:20pm
Jim talked to Manny tonight about a story he said the race has some people covering it already and would have to see what the Pa'a board has to say about using their name ect. in a magazine.Both Manny and myself our paddlers not lawyers ,stay tuned,i really wish to get this story out to the paddling world that outriggers rule...aloha
#30 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 9:23pm
yeah the funny thing is i mentioned jamie mitchell and the guys were still going "huh, who?"
it could be cause they were firemen...
#31 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 9:24pm
I don't know about that. I am a retired HFD fire captain and I know who Jamie Mitchell is.
#32 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 9:39pm
hah! was wondering if you'd comment on that.
i'm actually a fireman and i know who he is too. that's the only reason i said that. actually there are guys at my station that have never paddled or paddle boarded a day in their lives and they know who Jamie Mitchell is, go figure...
BTW great article, it's right, don't think 11 wins ever will be repeated. Pretty amazing.
http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/27/special/story02.html
#33 Thu, 04/03/2008 - 9:54pm
Tom was ahead of us this past weekend in the outrigger golden masters boat we beat them up wind but when it turned into a downwinder they left us behind...they beat us by less then a minute at the finish line...Tom kept looking back to see where we were it was a great feeling...our crew was stoked to be close to such a water man .
#34 Fri, 04/04/2008 - 1:51pm