Waikiki Yacht Club

Paddling Program
Paddling Information
Coaching Staff
Dues, Costs, Expenses
Policies & Guidelines
Practice Distances
Practice Sessions
Hui Wa`a Association
Hui Wa`a Regatta Starts
Order of Races
Racing Schedules
Race Day Information
Race Results / Photos

About WYC

Activities

Boatique Store

Dining

Membership Information

Mooring

Power Boating

Sailing

Windward Beat

Paddling Policies and Guidelines

Safety:

The first and foremost rule of the club is to paddle safely—fully conscious of ocean conditions and the experience levels and physical capabilities of our paddlers. If there is any doubt about equipment conditions, ocean conditions, or paddler skills, do not take chances. Stay inside the harbor. Always follow the instructions of the coaches and the steersmen/women.

Medical Problems: Any paddler with medical problems that may arise during practice (asthma, diabetes, or special medication) should make sure that the coach is informed.

Equipment:

Take care of the equipment.

Report all boat damage immediately, (the boats must be used every day, and each day they are out for repair is a day someone doesn't get to paddle).

Keep the paddling room neat. Use your initiative to clean up.

Throw away your rubbish. Clean out the canoes after practice. THROW AWAY YOUR WATER BOTTLES—DON'T LEAVE THEM ALL OVER FOR THE COACHES TO CLEAN UP.

Paddles:

All paddlers should have their own paddles. No one should depend on club paddles for racing. Club paddles should only be used in emergencies.

If you break a club paddle, you should replace it. We get good prices on paddles, but they're still not cheap.

The rules of our association and the HCRA are clear that no graphite or even partial graphite paddles are allowed. This rule is up for reconsideration, but has not yet been passed.

Attendance/Participation:

Policy of the club:

Crews will be selected by the coaching staff based on competitive potential and participation.

Definition of participation is regular attendance, good attitude, good teamwork, and a demonstrated desire to be part of the WYC program. Participation also includes accepting ancillary duties and always helping to carry the boat.

Anyone who does not help carry and stack will be designated "non-participatory" and will not be offered a crew seat.

Do more than just paddle:

We need someone to be responsible for the tent every week (responsibility rotates among crews and will be assigned by our Regatta Coordinator and Coaches).

We need our members to know how to rig, how to canvas, and help fix and repair equipment.

We will also need help to make our races, parties, and pot lucks a success.

We need someone to haul the boats every week.

We need someone to be responsible for rigging and first aid.

We need someone to be responsible for the tent every week (Novices and Kids put up and Masters take down, but someone has to be ultimately responsible).

In this club, helping out counts as "participation."

You help the club, the club will value you.

Be On Time:

We cannot and will not wait for late paddlers. If crews have already departed for the evening's work out, late paddlers may take out one-mans and join the group, or do land training (run, push-ups, pull-ups, sit ups).

If you are part of a "crew" and will be late (for whatever good reason) please call the Yacht Club at 955-4405 and let a coach know you will not be coming or that you are going to be late.

Dues/Fundraiser Payments:

Fees Fees must be paid by April 6 for pre-season distance races, May 23 for Regatta Season, August 15 for Distance Season, and by the third session of participation for Winter Season.

Fundraiser payment deadlines will be set by the committees in charge. Failure to pay fundraiser money will result in being asked not to paddle in a WYC boat.

Race Crews:

Coaches will advise paddlers of the race crew selection prior to the race. Absence from practice during the week before a race will result in being dropped from a race crew (provided a suitable substitute exists).

Crew Choice:

Coaches will call crews. There is no appeal process, except to the coach.

Disaffected/Unhappy Paddlers:

If you do not like your crew, your coach, or the club, you should try to work out your problem with someone on the coaching staff. If you cannot resolve the matter to your satisfaction, we encourage you to find another club that may be more appropriate to your needs. Do not stay and "talk stink" to or about other paddlers. As a courtesy to you, we will not refuse to sign any release form to any other club or association, unless you owe money for dues or a fundraiser.

Always be Ready to Swim:

Boats can huli, and even the most experienced crews will sometimes find themselves in the water.

Novices, of course, will be more likely to huli.

Also, during the course of a practice, coaches frequently call for crew seat changes, which allow them to watch different "combinations" of paddlers and to judge the performance of individuals in a boat.

At those times, it's often easier to just jump out of a boat and swim to your new seat assignment, than to crawl.

Consequently:

Never carry anything in the boat you cannot afford to lose to the ocean. This includes glasses, jewelry, keys, water bottles, and clothing.

Once again:

Never carry anything in the boat you cannot afford to lose to the ocean!

Personal Belongings:

If you are going to leave your personal items in the paddling room, please leave them on one of the top three shelves immediately to the right as you enter the door.

The tables on the left are for paperwork;

The work table is for tools and paint; and

the floor space is limited as it is.

Leaving Paddles in the Paddling Room: If you leave your paddle in the room, you do so at your own risk. Make no mistake, other paddlers will use your paddle if they find it—and have very little respect for it.

Time Requirements: Paddling in a competitive club is a commitment of time, money, and effort. The biggest obstacle and most often the major barrier to participation in a club is the commitment of time.

As a paddler, you will be expected to show up and participate at all practices (at least three times a week), as well as showing up for races, and occasionally for a club "work day" to fix boats or clean up the club site. That's at least four and possibly five times a week.

Coaches and club officers, of course, invest much more time preparing paperwork, organizing club activities, representing the club to the canoe associations, and making sure all the equipment is ready for practice.

It is understood that all paddlers are amateur athletes and all of us have jobs and family commitments that must be given due consideration. In the final analysis, however, it will be those who have invested the time and effort to become good and dependable paddlers who will be chosen to fill racing crews.

Paddling with Yacht Club can be a rewarding social and personal experience, if you are able to invest the time necessary to make your participation worthwhile.

If, however, you cannot make the commitment in time to this sport, you should not be disappointed when those who do invest the time advance in both skill and crew placement.