1.Adult Program

Gwen Isherwood, the club’s new paddling coach, has a schedule for recreational paddling starting this May 3, 2008. For the month of May, here it is:

A Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday schedule for May - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays (because that’s when folks are off work), and 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Please check the website periodically for updated practice dates, as they maybe revised monthly.

Weekdays will be tentatively set aside for one-man canoe (OC-1) certification and training. If large groups come out, we may have to go to six-man canoe (OC-6) training. Saturday will be for OC-6 crews primarily unless we have a low turnout and OC-1 training works better….or a combination of both.

It is recommended that novice paddlers go out on an OC-6 once or twice before they try to get certified on an OC-1. Members can get certified (or recertified) on an OC-1 on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or by scheduling an appointment through the main office with Gwen, or our Junior Paddling Coach, Greg Kaneko. Certified OC-1 paddlers can take an OC-1 or the OC-2 out any time on a first-come, first-served basis except during Gwen’s scheduled practice times.

All participants will be required to sign a waiver to participate in the Paddling Program and to use Club canoes.

Please call the office if you plan to come down for a practice or to get certified in the month of May, so we can get a feel for the number of attendees. Gwen would like to make sure enough experienced paddlers are around to assist with novice paddlers. Drop-ins are very welcome, space permitting.

Come down and spice up your summer fitness program with some paddling. Bring board shorts, a t-shirt, some sunscreen…and a paddle if you have one. There are currently no participation fees.

2.Junior Program

On May 6, 2008, the Waikiki Yacht Club will start its Junior Recreational Paddling Program. Practices will run every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter, from 4pm to 5:30pm. We welcome all youths, ages 12 to 18 to join us. Participation fees are a dollar amount equal to twice your age for every 2-month period.

3.Long-Distance Season

If there is sufficient member interest, a long-distance season program will be initiated later this summer. The long-distance season usually begins in late July or early August with two distance races prior to the popular Liliuokalani Race in Kona. The Kona race features canoe crews from all over the world in an 18-mile race from Kailua Bay to Honaunau. The season ends with the Na Wahine O Ke Kai in September for the women and the Molokai Hoe in October for the men.

For more information, contact the Waikiki Yacht Club Office (tel: 808-955-4405)
or Email