NAWILIWILI — The first canoes for the YMCA Kaua‘i Hoe will hit the beaches Jan. 7. In preparation for the first race of its season, the YMCA Kaua‘i Hoe hosted a safety and informational clinic at the upstairs portion of
NAWILIWILI — The first canoes for the YMCA Kaua‘i Hoe will hit the beaches Jan. 7.
In preparation for the first race of its season, the YMCA Kaua‘i Hoe hosted a safety and informational clinic at the upstairs portion of Duke’s at Kalapaki Beach.
Because the scope of the discussions overlapped concerns shared by paddlers of 6-person outrigger canoes, leaders of those clubs were also invited to attend the briefing.
“We are all responsible to know what we need to do before venturing out to paddle,” said Laola Lake, one of the clinic leaders.
Tim Cotchay, a former Coast Guardsman, was joined by Butch Keahilolalo of the Kaua‘i Fire Department in discussing the various aspects of protocol on the waters.
The pair also presented tips and examples of safety equipment paddlers should have in their inventory before venturing out on the waters.
The first race for the Kaua‘i Hoe Wa‘a is Jan. 7 with the long course starting at Po‘ipu and ending at Port Allen. The short course starts at Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor and finishes at Port Allen.
This will be followed a week later with canoes leaving Wailua for Kalapaki on the long course Jan. 14. The short course will leave from Hanamaulu Beach and finish at Kalapaki.
The Kaua‘i Hoe Wa‘a season finishes on May 20 with the Molokai Solo event.
For more information and updates, call 635-0388, as race dates are subject to change.
