Aloha Paddlers,

First of all congratulations to all those who paddled in the State race, given the no winds and swell conditons. I paddled from Hawaii Kai to Kaimana, and boy it was flat. What I wanted to get off my chest is, have any of you noticed the difference in the water conditions from around Diamond Head inward towards Waikiki. Yesterday it was real flat and clear, I could not, nor could some of my group of paddlers notice that there is a difference in the water color. Although clear it had a haze or tinge to it. This has to be from the Ala Wai Spill, mother nature has tried to clean it up but, it may be awhile before it is back to clear blue. We were very fortunate to be in the presence of some spinner Dolphin, they were enjoying the flat conditons and allowed us paddlers go along with them. But as we got closer to the hazy water, they broke off for us to finish our run.

I hope the water gets better maybe with he southern swell season approaching it will do this naturally. I just really want to give everyone the heads up this is what I noticed and we all need to aware of our beautiful waters that we play in. Be sure to shower well after your run, and cover any cuts.

Mahalo

Aloha,

We have a club here in Dallas that is just 3 years old and we are on a quest to get new members. What avenue works best for getting new members or even getting people to come out and participate. We know that once people get in the canoe and paddle they are hooked.

Mahalo,
T

Way to go Luke and Kelly. I hope your heads don't get any bigger. Must be the olympic sprint workout.

U know who this is

I am hearing different stories about traveling with paddles. What is everyone in outrigger-land experiencing? One e-mail on outrigger server mentioned buying a guitar/bass case and put paddle in there to be safe.

Mahalo

this was posted on Aus Outrigger today:

Hi All,

I'm posting this with the hope that it will never happen to anyone else and that something can be learn't from it.

On Monday afternoon at aprox. 5.30pm our open men’s OC6 team were 15 minutes into a training session when they were run over by a 35 foot Mustang power boat traveling at 20knots. The conditions were dead flat with no other boating traffic around. The canoe was in open water in Dent Passage about 100m off the end of the runway.

The power boat was towing tube riders at the time who had just fallen off and the boat was making a large turn when it went straight over the canoe at #2 seat.

Nathan Bowen who was sitting in #2 took the full brunt of the collision and is now in Mackay Base hospital. His injuries include, a broken right ankle, compound fracture of the lower right leg, fractured pelvis and a fractured lower vertebrae.

Nathen is likley to be in hospital for 6-8 months and undergo rehab for 2 years.

I think the main lesson to be learn't from this is to never assume that you have been seen by power boat drivers when you're out paddling, especially on OC1s . If this guy didn't see a 45' canoe in perfect conditions what chance do you have on an OC1.

When you dip your paddle in the water this weekend spare a thought for Nathan.

Barts

Hey if anyone finds a pahoa that has a navy blue deck and white bottom please call 1 808 635-5127. it was lost doing a hawaii kai run on wednesday the 19th.

Aloha kakou
Since the City and County of Honolulu decided to dump sewage into the Ala Wai canal things have been anything but normal for people who frequent that urban waterway. The waters continue to hold life threatening bacteria so the canoe clubs that call the Ala Wai home are forced to paddle at different sites around the island. My canoe club, Hui Lanakila, moved our boats to the top of Maunalua Bay near Hui Nalu's canoe site. It seems one of our racing canoes, named Kaholoawiwi, has been stolen. I would like to ask that the paddling community of O'ahu help to locate our missing sister and have her returned to us. This is unexceptable.
Mahalo
Mikala

Koloa Outrigger Canoe Club on Kauai's South Shore would like to invite all paddlers and spectators to The Poipu Challenge 2006!

The Poipu Challenge is a long distance 6-man outrigger canoe race. It will be conducted Saturday, April 29th, 2006. There will be Women's, Men's, and Mixed categories. The Women/Mixed race will start at 8:30 am, the Men’s race ending sometime around noon. Following the races we will serve food and refreshments to race participants. We will also give out t-shirts and awards at this time. For details go to our website http://www.koloaoutriggercanoeclub.com or contact Race Director, Leo Bruijnooge, at 651-6208 or 742-9585 or leokauai@hawaiiantel.net or Registration Coordinator, Ruth Potts at 639-2767or pottss002@hawaii.rr.com

With all the reports of the all tons of sewage that are spilling out into the ocean from the Alawai and the guy who is about to lose his life due to the sewage, is the finish line of the relay still at MAGIC ISLAND which is the path of the Alawai?

I recently obtained the use of a 4 man mold, to build my first fiberglass boat. Anyone have any tips for a first time builder?

here are a few questions to start things off?
-how many layers of glass do I need to make the hull? it needs to be strong, but not bombproof...
-do I need some type of core material sandwiched inbetween layers of glass?
-what kind of release agent is needed for the mold?

are there any other potentially fatal mistakes I should try to avoid?

any tips would be great

thanks in advance.