Pacific Paddler October 2013 - (Page 40)

Photo: Kalanakilaokalahui Hawaii canoe & Kayak team Silver Jubil By Chris Ball with contributions from Teri Skillman and HCKT Alumni the first kayaks were introduced to Hawai‘i over 50 years ago at the Ala Wai Boat House. John nation to institute a kayak paddling program. By 1964, four Hawai'i paddlers were selected Bustard, heading the Amateur Athletic Union [AAU], envisioned the great potential for finding Olympic to attend the Olympic trials: Karen Knudsen, Anona vast field of outrigger canoe paddlers to draw from, kayak racing could be a natural for Hawai‘i.” not until 1968 that the first Hawai‘i paddler, Virginia canoe club was one of the first to master the craft and handled most of the coaching. then miklos club coach Bob Schroeder, a former U.S. Olympian, Team member, was brought to Hawaiʻi Within four months she was producing times capable of Interest in the sport was promoted by became a gold medalist in the Pan American Games, believing that Hawai‘i had the potential the U.S. Olympic team for mexico city. Games in tokyo. the University of in the islands because of a lack of organization and the Hawai‘i Kayak club also started a program 1979, the introduction of the “surf-ski” kayak from in Hawai‘i featured singles, doubles and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu [ILH] embraced talent in the 50th State. In 1959 he said, “With our natural interest and ability in water sports, and a the first boats were imported from europe and canada. George Downing of the Outrigger naone, tom Schroeder, and Bernard mcKeague. It was moore, made it on to the Olympic team. Hawai‘i Kayak tottossy, a former Olympic Hungarian “discovered” Virginia moore at a surf meet in makaha. by the AAU to coach Hawaiian paddlers. winning the national championships. In 1967, moore the Hawaiian AAU Olympic committee and in 1968, became the first Hawai‘i kayaker to make for the next ten years kayaking took a downturn to qualify paddlers for the 1964 Olympic Hawai‘i at manoa, Lanikai canoe club and difficulty of the initial learning stage of the sport. In in 1962. In 1963, the first kayak regatta Australia breathed life back into competitive kayaking. fours. two island girls, Karen Knudsen (17) and Anona naone (18), were the first to Karen Knudsen & Anona Naone, 1960 Courtesy nappy & Anona napoleon the new craft as it was easier for athletes to paddle. A one-time, one-year grant from the United States Olympic committee in 1988 launched a long-term represent Hawai'i in the Olympic trials. development effort designed for junior athletes in berth on the 1960 team by one spot. It the Hawai‘i canoe & Kayak team to implement the further development of the sport in the time Offshore canoe club coach from newport Beach, coached by tottossy, they missed a Hawai‘i. the Hawai‘i Kayak club was transformed into was an inspiring feat that encouraged grant. Officially incorporated by Billy Whitford, long- islands. cA, the first HcKt team to go to nationals in 1988 consisted of 18 paddlers. In 1962, the AAU received three the group won a total of 76 medals includ- four-man kayaks to train high school ing several national championships. for the next five athletes. ‘Iolani Schoolʻs Centennial Year was marked by a notable event in all United States water sports when they became the first high school in the years HcKt was untouchable at nationals winning every Kayak crews row with the careful direction of Coach Rizzuto. Courtesy ‘iolani School Archives Back row: Brad Yim, Steve Oakland, Peter Erwin, Ivan Gale, Ikaika Kincaid, Hunter Eggers, Wyatt Jones, Malia Kamisugi, Matt Fullard-Leo and Nate Tan. Front row: Mana Crozier, Kelii Heen, Chris Ball, Nalu Kukea, Moses Camacho, Stacey Dickson, Stacey Awa, David Buck and Billy Whitford. Missing: 2 Intermediate/Masters competitors/Dads - Kala Kukea and Mark Buck. HCKT, 1988 photo, courtesy Chris Ball 40 Pacific Paddler October/November 2013 http://www.,gobananaskayaks.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler October 2013

State Championships
Dad Center
Duke Race
Queen Liliuokalani
Na Pali Challenge
Catalina Crossing
Na Wahine O Ke Kai
Wounded Warrior Canoe Regatta
Race Around the Hat
A Fiji paddling adventure
Hawaii Canoe & Kayak Team Silver Jubilee
Where's your lactate threshold?
There is LIFE after cancer
Hungry Dragons

Pacific Paddler October 2013