Lets give a shout out to those that create and promote talent in our sport. These are the people that want to share the gems that they have searched out.... or have been taught.
I just want to say that Maui Kjeldsen is the bomb when it comes to sharing what he knows about the art of paddling..
He treats everyone as an individual and searches out what will work best for each individual.
One size does not fit all, must be one of his philosophies.
Maui ran a weekend course for our club. No one in our club, had made the finals at the sprints.
Our 2 year goal was to get as many teams into the finals.
65 paddlers attended Maui's seminars and all of those 65 paddlers took home medals from the Nationals sprint Titles. That was six months after the seminar!
Three went on to represent NZ in OC1 at the Worlds and one of those set a world record and won gold in the OC1 sprints at the worlds.
Two others won golds in OC6 races. Many have made NZ selection since the seminars.
One message that Maui pushed, was the sharing of knowledge. If he shared something with us, we were to pass on the gem to others. That is how our sport was to grow. Share and share alike!
Matahi Brightwell is another NZ coach that has made a difference.
Matahi has probable trained more paddling world champions than any other on the planet...or, in any sport, for that matter.
That may be only correct in my part of the world, but please let me know who has made a difference to promoting excellence in your part of the world.
Oh Aussie has it's Talent too. Robyn Saultry took her crew to Gold in the Open and Masters in Tahiti worlds. In my mind Robyn probable has some of the best training programmes ever written/created.
I have watched Robyn train up to 10 crews at once on the Brisbane River.
The skill level ranged from social to competitive, and all adult grades were probable covered, male and Female.
Robyns sessions are scientifically sound and interesting to boot.
I saw leap frog games and every one was getting a work out.
Chris Maynard has weaved some magic over the last couple of decades as well. He has much "Mana" and I see simular traits of Maui in his personal approach.
Rambo is a sharer. He can recognize a gem and has no hesitation in passing it on, to those that want to know.
I have seen footage of Walter Guild and The Foti Brothers sharing the gems of the wisdom, so I know that there are good people doing great things out there.
Lets create a hall of fame to hounor those that are passionate, skilled and are able to communicate such skills.
Who can you recommend for the "Mana Hall of Fame"
Submitted by ocpaddler on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 1:07am
My father is the epitome of Mana. He has taught me, my brothers and countless others the philosophy of not only paddling but as it relates to life. One thing my dad always told us is there is no such thing as no can. Always can. No matter how bad things get never give up. Never give up. But also to be humble. He is my hero. I am lucky to have him as my dad. A true Hawaiian.
#1 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 3:16am
My father is the epitome of Mana. He has taught me, my brothers and countless others the philosophy of not only paddling but as it relates to life. One thing my dad always told us is there is no such thing as no can. Always can. No matter how bad things get never give up. Never give up. But also to be humble. He is my hero. I am lucky to have him as my dad. A true Hawaiian.
#2 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 3:16am
Gale Berengue. Just something about him makes everyone try that much harder. A real motivator with a powerful aura. I also had the privelage of being coached by Karel Sr. one season. His passion and knowledge of training are contagious.
#3 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 5:08am
All the people at the Harbor in Kona! So many people have offered up training tips and coaching here and there over the past year for me its amazing. Im not going to try and name all of them because then ill miss somebody but you all know who you are. Thank you!
#4 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 5:36am
I
ll nominate , in addition to the highly qualified individuals mentioned above, Johnny Puakea, Mike Fries, and Karel Tresnak Sr. Johnny Puakeas technique clinics given with Danny Ching are the best !! :) Mike Fries did a technique video back in the 80s and it`s still perfectly relevant today .You want to paddle well ,,,,,,, ???? listen to Johnny Puakea and Danny Ching at one of thier clinics.
and then go out and put in the hours of boat time necessary to make theory reallity for you.....
http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/
#5 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 6:19am
i think we talked about this before. but i'll throw name in there that not too many people probably know that i'm sure i mentioned in other threads.
Mark Hines.
he has coached kids paddling for the last 20 years, and has positively affected thousands of lives by now. the best thing about his coaching? paddling is secondary or even tertiary in importance. the two biggest things he coaches are succeeding in school and living a productive and generous life. probably one of the most important things i ever heard him say had nothing to do with paddling. it had to do with how you behave. he told his paddlers:
"how you act while i'm around to see what you are doing doesn't matter to me. what really matters is how you behave when you know no one is watching."
will this kind of philosophy produce the best paddlers? not sure for adults. but Mark's kids crews are consistently competitive. think he's helped produce a few national team members to boot.
poopsie is a pretty damn good coach too. he's taken a perennial underachiever to a consistent state championship qualifier. and he'll never tell you that himself.
#6 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 10:10am
Mike Shea:
-Led by example;
-Gracious in victory and in defeat--no bragging, no excuses;
-Had time to help anybody who was willing to try hard.
#7 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 11:44am
i give mad props too any person coaching in the kids division......16 or 15 and younger..... coaching adults that have the drive to do good and the will power too make sacrifices is easy...try convincing a teenager to not skip practice because of nice waves or meeting with a girl (or boy) or a 12y/o too miss there favorite TV show and then you are gifted.
#8 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 5:01pm
Haleiwa's Manu o ke Kai Canoe club head coach:
Uncle Randy Sanborn!!
#9 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 6:24pm
I Second the Johny P nomination- Team Bradley and Outriggers Mens team. Also Kai Bartlet- Hawaiian Canoe Club, Rich Long- Dana Outrigger, Josh Crayton- Lanakila OCC.
#10 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 6:32pm
Sam Couch-NAC Junior and Mens teams, Willie Reichenstein-NAC morning practices and worlds team. Billy Whitford-NAC Women's team and others before that.
#11 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 8:11pm
"Mana Hall of Fame"
Maui Kjeldson
Matahi Brightwell
Robyn Saultry
Chris Maynard
Rambo
Walter Guild
The Foti Brothers
Kekoa's Dad
Gail Berenge
Karel Tresnek Snr
All the nice paddling folf at Kona Harbor
Johnny Puakeas
Mike Frie
Danny Ching
Mark Hines
Poopsie
Mike Shea
All coaches Junior teams
Haleiwa's manu o ke kai Canoe club head coach
Kai Bartlet
Rich Long
Josh Grayton
Sam Couch
Willie Reichenstein
Billie Whitford
Metua Aporo
Wow thanks for sharing that. I have so much respect for anyone that coaches from the heart and uses their brain.
it is also really amazing to see so many top paddlers giving so much back, for their sport.
Someone will have the answer to my next question.
Are there any other sports where the elete sports folk are coaching when at their peak?
#12 Sat, 06/14/2008 - 9:48pm
I would have no skills had it not been for:
Stuart Gaessner
Mark Buck
Chris Crabb
Dale Hope
Pat Erwin
Kalani Young
Shawn Monanhan
Guy Pere
Butch Ukishima
George Kissner
Marshall Rosa
Kala Kukea
George Downing
#13 Sun, 06/15/2008 - 7:16am
I'll put in my 2 cents for Raven Aipa. Great coach and all around inspirationl guy. Just ask the women at Hui Lanakila.....and the men too, for that matter.
#14 Sun, 06/15/2008 - 1:38pm
I am going to second the nomination for Sean Monahan (mis-spelled in KGB's post). Just look at the results of this past weekend's Hui Waa regatta... WBBCC got 13 golds out of 18 events entered.
#15 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 8:31am
jc9 you're right, Mark Hines is a dark horse here. If you think about how many people are into paddling because of him. I know I paddle and coach because of the influence he's had on me.
Georg Kissner should also be noted. He's been my mentor for years and has taught me basically all I know about the physiology behind paddling and kayaking.
Jeah
Poopsie
#16 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 9:28am
I'm just going to go ahead and third the Mark Hines vote. He hasn't been my coach for about 16 years now, but I still do his drills on my own, and teach them to other paddlers as well.
Mr. Hines, Seattle paddling salutes you.
#17 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 11:01am
I definitely agree with Rachel, and since I don't paddle for WBBCC, its a much more unbiased opinion , but I'd like to also mention Sue Brown as well because the two of them make a dynamic coaching team, they've been consistent in the results and just all around down to earth, nice people in general! =D
But really, the numbers speak for themselves as Rachel pointed out from this past weekend. They've really made the most with less paddlers!
-,-'-{@ -,-'-{@ -,-'-{@ -,-'-{@ -,-'-{@
Honolulu Advertiser - Jun 16th Edition:
Waikiki Beach Boys pulled off a surprise by winning the Windward Kai Regatta yesterday at Kailua Beach Park
And it took a great race in the final event of the day — the open mixed — and a mishap by Kane'ohe to pull it off.
Waikiki Beach Boys won the open mixed event in 4:15.33, while Kailua buried the flag and was disqualified.
Waikiki Beach Boys, an AA Division club, finished with 74 points, while Kane'ohe, an AAA Division club, wound up with 71.
#18 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 11:06am
Kala808 and rachel, I'm not taking anything away from the WBB coaches, the results show they are doing a frickin awesome job over there, but I feel that a great coach is one who can consistently win. This factors out luck and the "everything coming together phenomena." If you can win year after year with different athletes, conditions, etc then you know you have a badass coach.
I guess then we have to nominate Auntie Rosie Lum. Look at what she does for her athletes and the Kamehameha. Kamehameha has won 5 of the 7 state championships. She is badass.
I wish I was badass. I only smell like ass.
Poopie
#19 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 2:58pm
auwe! what a flashback! When you mentioned Auntie Rosie's name, memories of kala Kukea came to mind. Wow, talk about someone truly special! Being too young to really appreciate fully the person he was when he was still alive, reflecting back now that I've gotten to see more, I really think he epitomized the ultimate coach - leading by example, his humbleness, courageous, and athletic. A true gentleman, athlete and scholar - graduate of Kamehameha schools and West Point Academy, Vietnam Veteran and captain of Fire and Rescue. He coached and inspired so many kids and adults alike.
#20 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 3:30pm
Thanks for mentioning Auntie Rosie Lum. I have a picture on my wall of the first sixman race I ever won. She is steering and stroking is Kalama Heine (her nephew) and sitting two is Mike Lum (her son) who both have helped her coach at Kamehameha over the years. It's a family affair at Kamehameha.
#21 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 3:50pm
Poopie--
There are definitely a lot of great coaches out there. The successful programs such as Lanikai and Hawaiian are undoubtedly supported by excellent coaching. All coaches deserve kudos. It takes a lot of time and effort without much reward beyond the honor and respect of the athletes they coach.
As Kala pointed out I am biased toward those at WBB since I know them well. Consistently having winning crews is precisely why I think Sue Brown and Sean Monahan have proven themselves as excellent coaches. Under Sue's coaching, the Nov B women (new paddlers each year) have won the State Championships for the past 5 yrs in a row. The upper division women have had consistent good showings at States for the past 5 yrs or so as well and were State Champions in the Senior Women's race in the past 2 yrs. WBB has had strong showings in distance races for the past few years as well, with a handful of top 10 finishes in the Molokai race. Perhaps these few years are not enough to show consistency. Perhaps we don't appreciate great coaches until their records have stood the test of time.
I do paddle for WBB, but am not in the "top" crew. Just very proud of my club and my coaches.
#22 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 3:53pm
I think "bias" was the incorrect usage in this context. The fact that you do paddle for WBBCC gives you a more intimate knowledge of their coaching abilities. I did not realize their stretch of success for the Nov. B women goes five years back and to defend that amongst the best of the best in the states is even more convincing of their talent. In any case, to put in the amount of time and commitment to coaching in itself is admirable and they definitely fall into the category of people who have created and promoted talent in the sport, the original subject of this post. So, to Sue and Sean, and the so many others mentioned, respected and admired, kudos to ya all! =D
#23 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 5:01pm
I just couldn't resist but to share with those that did not have the opportunity to know or meet Kala Kukea. Attached is a photo of him on an OC-6 using the old style hawaiian paddles that did not have the T-Top handle, near what looks like coming around Makapu'u, and another photo of him on a surfski racing against the awesome Marshall Rosa. I think this was the Steinlager Challenge in the Ala Wai - this photo was taken by Lianne Cameron of Hui Nalu. Not sure who took the other photo of him on the OC-6 but if any of you do, let me know. Great shots of a great coach!
#24 Mon, 06/16/2008 - 9:31pm
I'd like to nominate Kathy Erwin, and the rest of the senior master women at Kailua canoe club. Kathy was my coach last year, and her complete and utter selflessness, dedication to the club, and consistent efforts to impart her knowledge of the sport were unparalleled.
We were hanging out at her house after practice one day, and someone noticed a large koa bowl filled with medals. We started looking through them and found a silver medal from the US National Championships (K2), not to mention numerous channel crossing medals, regattas, etc. We never would have found out about these from Kathy herself... because she promotes club first, modesty, and paddling as an eternal learning process.
These women have done so much for women's paddling, and have been true pioneers. Kathy, Carleen and the others have been promoting this sport for years. Some of these women were in the very first crew of women to complete the channel crossing. And this was back in the day when women were told they didn't have the endurance to do that race.
Whether or not they are offical coaches, as Kathy is, or whether they are simply paddling next to you in an OC1 during practice offering up tips, they are consistently providing guidance and encouragement. To these strong women, and to similar pioneers everywhere, thank you, thank you, thank you.
#25 Tue, 06/17/2008 - 9:23am