October Athlete of the Month: Stefan Lambert

Oct 14

Posted by Ari Lurie in Athlete of the Month, paddleboard

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On September  12, 2009 Stefan Lambert entered a 45 km inter- island surfski race from Raiatea to Bora Bora.  The only thing is that Stefan was racing on a paddleboard! Everyone else was racing in rocket-like surfskis. Of course he knew he wasn’t going to win. Stefan just wanted to see if he could survive. Thats quintessential Stefan.  If he entered a marathon he would run it backwards. Stefan marches to the beat of his own drummer. He is always looking to push his mind and body beyond the limit. He told me several times during the paddle that he wanted to quit and asked himself why he did this? But Stefan is very, very tough.  And he pushed through.  I have always admired the guy for his mental strength and determination.  Stefan is unlike anyone I have ever met. Congratulations my friend. You our the October Athlete of the Month.

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New Kainalu Project Ambassador: Jenny Kalmbach

Sep 23

Posted by Ari Lurie in Kainalu Ambassadors

The Kainalu Project is pleased to welcome Jenny Kalmbach of Kona, Hawaii as one of our ambassadors.  In the last year Jenny has proved to be the elite women’s stand up paddler as she has won the 2008 Battle of the Paddle and 2009 Molokai Crossing. Jenny is a woman full of warmth, grace and compassion for others and we are stoked to have her on board.  Check out here ambassador page, especially her story, as it speaks to the connection we have with each other in the water.

http://kainaluproject.com/ambassadors.htm

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Playa Penca Video

Sep 14

Posted by Todd Clark in Videos, costa rica

Here’s a little video clip I made last week near where I live in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Playa Penca.  The islands are called Las Pelonas (Bald Islands).  There are three of them and have amazing marine life just a short paddle from the beach.  Eagle rays, rooster fish, the biggest needle fish I have ever seen (they make ceviche out of them here!), and this time of year the humpbacks are around too!

Before hitting the water, howler monkeys, pazotes, white tailed deer, and several species of hawk are curious and cautious at the same time. Some sand training on an empty beach to finish off an inspirational workout is about as good as it gets and fun too!

Enjoy the moment and today!
Todd

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September Athlete of the Month: Eva Velez

Sep 1

Posted by Ari Lurie in Athlete of the Month

We are honored to give the September Athlete of the Month award to Eva Velez. Eva is a visually impaired outrigger canoe paddler who has tackled her disease with such courage and optimism. Eva is an inspiration. Her coach, Kirsten Hermstad, praises Eva as a leader and an amazingly positive person who pushes herself and teammates to be great.

canoe-blessing-2091Eva paddles for the Newport Aquatic Center/Makapo(blind) Canoe Club. The NAC/Makapo Canoe club was founded with the mission to give the blind and visually impaired an athletic outlet and to ultimately see their potential through outrigger paddling.

Eva was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 1984. Over the course of 23 years Eva’s vision slowly deteriorated and in 2007 she was completely blind. Around this time Eva was approached by John Chavez, a blind paddler, who along with Billy Whitford of the Newport Aquatic center had formed NAC/Makapo Club. They offered Eva the chance to paddle with their team. Always drawn to the ocean, Eva jumped at the opportunity.

Congratulations Eva on being named our September Athlete of the Month.

Thank you so much. I am so honored.

What were some of the biggest challenges when you first started paddling?

I would say just doing a 1 mile paddle to the PCH bridge was such a challenge. I remember being so overwhelmed by all the smells and sounds that it was hard to focus on my stroke. I could smell and hear the ocean, I smelled all the nearby restaurants, I could hear the sounds of the birds. It was so distracting and hard to focus!

What do you most enjoy about paddling?

I really enjoy going out into the open ocean. The motion just makes me really excited. It feels so good. I don’t know how it would be with sight, but its like being on a ride with your eyes closed. I have butterflies in my stomach cause I don’t know what’s going to happen next.  On land I always have to be careful of things, but in the water, oh my goodness, I can just let go and have fun. I don’t have to be scared. My teammates and I can just yell and scream and not be scared cause we have the steersman to help with that. I just love the whole feeling of being free.

Can you tell me about the trust that you put into your steersman, Kirsten?

For me it was very easy to trust Kirsten. I just stepped in there trusting her. Since she was willing to teach us, I was willing to trust her. One paddler once said to me “I was so scared out there.” And I told her not to worry, Kirsten is behind us.

What have been your greatest accomplishments in paddling?

Doing the Queen Liliuokalani race in Kona. It was beautiful. The sounds, all the people, the excitement, knowing that there was clear blue water underneath me and dolphins in the water. Kirsten described everything for us: the scenery, the mountains, the color of the ocean, the canoes all around us. The three hours didn’t even seem like three hours.

And then at the award ceremony Uncle Bo recognized all of the Makapo paddlers by calling us up to the front, presenting us with medals and leis. Then everyone there stood up and gave us a standing ovation. It felt like all the paddlers were there for us, that we were all welcome and that they admired us. It was beautiful. It was very special. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would have been in Hawaii receiving this medal. We were part of something. It meant just because you can’t see, doesn’t mean you can’t do.

You recently got the chance to paddle with the Newport Aquatic Women’s team.  What was that like?

That was awesome. One day Kristen came to me and asked if I would want to paddle with the women’s team and I was like yeah! Those women were so powerful and so quiet. They are all together as a team. They have perfect rhythm. I could hear the sound of water dripping from their paddles in unison. I could feel that they were just one. Except for me way in the back!

After a little bit Billy Whitford, the steersman, stopped us and asked me “Eva do you know where we’re at?” I said I thought we were by the PCH bridge, which is a mile, and they all just laughed. We were all the way out in the open ocean(about 5 miles). We were flying. It was just awesome. I was in awe. They are so strong. So that is one of my goals: to become a better paddler.

So you have The Catalina Crossing coming up on September 12th. That will be your longest race ever. What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are like everyone else’s on the Makapo team. It’s a new journey, a new experience. We are all excited. We’re a little fearful of what the conditions are going to be like. But we all have the same goal: to finish the race. It’s exciting though. It’s going to be our greatest challenge because Kona was 18 miles and this will be about ten miles longer.

Finally, how has paddling with the Makapo team impacted your life?

It has really changed the limits I place on myself. After I lost my sight I was like, now what? Now what!? I said what is there for me? Then the Makapo team opened up and after I started that I decided if I can do this than I can do other things. So I took up massage therapy school. I am short 50 hours of finishing it. I’ve learned there’s a world out there for me. All I have to do is step out.

You know, I am a very happy person. People ask me, “How can you do that? You seem so happy.” Well I am happier than when I could see. Cause I see life in a new way.  I can honestly say that. I am happier now. And I just want to finish by saying that without God’s strength I couldn’t be happy and be here and do what I’m doing. Without that I couldn’t finish.

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Changing of the Guard

Aug 30

Posted by admin in Hawaii

The old saying “History repeats itself” has certainly been true for the men of Outrigger Canoe Club (OCC) in 2009. They are currently undefeated, having won every Senior men’s race in the regatta season and the first three races of the long distance season: Ka’ena Challenge, Duke Kahanamoku Race and Kailua Bay Iron Challenge.

Outrigger Canoe Club’s men and women have been a dominate force for many, many years. Their women have only ONCE finished lower than 5th place in the prestigious Na Wahine o Ke Kai Moloka’i to O’ahu race. Their men hold the record for the most club wins in the Moloka’i Hoe.

While the recent winning streak is no doubt impressive, what stands out more to me is the changing of the guard, so to speak, that has taken place at Outrigger Canoe Club and what that means for the future of the club’s paddling program. The last Moloka’i Hoe victory came to the club a decade ago. That was when the legendary Walter Guild’s and Marc Haine’s of the paddling world were still dominant, even in their early 40s.

The program has certainly struggled since that 1999 win with only a couple of top five finishes in the last nine channel races. That all changed this year when a core group of mostly twenty-something year olds decided to commit to a more intense training program under the guidance of Coach Johnny Puakea.

According to steersman Jimmy Austin “It was not until the Tahitians arrived three years ago did we realize what level it would actually take to be successful, to win Moloka’i. After watching them dominate and seeing how well they paddle on film, it was thought that nobody could get near them. This year, we have a group of guys willing to commit to a higher standard than ever before and coupled with John Puakea’s experience in kayaking and canoe paddling, we took on the challenge of seeing if we could cut in half the time that we lost to the Tahitians by — 20 minutes. The goal is to fix our technique and train in a way that professional athletes train, such as Shell Va’a [the three-time defending champions and current Moloka’i Hoe record holders], all while balancing full-time job, families, wives, etc.”

Jimmy, like most of his teammates, grew up at Outrigger and as a little grom aspired to one day follow in the footsteps of the club’s legends and live up to the, then, standard of the upper division men’s program. He takes great pride not only in carrying on the tradition of outrigger canoe paddling but also that of the club he is so loyal to. “It’s easy to leave and make your own crew and get sponsors but sticking it out with a club is tradition and what this sport was founded on,” he says.

Hopefully, this core bunch can continue to commit to a high level of training for the next three to five years and inch closer and closer to the Tahitian competition, and at the same time continue to train the next generation of young paddlers to perpetuate the winning culture of the club. As with any other club, the future of each program lies in the younger generation.

Based on the huge amount of success Outrigger has seen in a short period of time, this is a new school of paddlers to keep your eye on for the rest of the 2009 season and for many years to come. Best of luck to them and everyone else as we enter the second half of distance season!

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A Beautiful Day on the Water

Aug 22

Posted by Ari Lurie in Stories

I met a couple families on the beach last week who were visiting relatives on Martha’s Vineyard.   I was coming in from the Ocean on my OC-1 and they asked me about the canoe.  I told them about the sport, that I had some stand up boards too and invited them to try them all the next day. The next day came and it was beautiful: crystal clear and no wind.  The kind of day that you never want to end.  In the afternoon I remembered my promise to the family.  So I headed across the water with all the equipment.  The kids were stoked!  They fought over boards and canoes and we paddled for a couple hours.  I taught them some stroke techniques and just had such a blast with them.

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They were overjoyed with the opportunity to be on the water in canoes and stand ups.  And their joy brought me so much pleasure too.  One of the children, Alexander told me over and over how lucky I was to have this equipment and be able to live on the water and paddle everyday.  I think when you teach you actually learn a lot too.  Its an interesting phenomenon.  Being with these kids was a great reminder.  I really am lucky.  These sports are amazing.  The water is magical.  Its all a gift.  Remembering to cherish it is important for me.

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August Athlete of the Month - Kanesa Duncan

Aug 19

Posted by Ari Lurie in Athlete of the Month, Interviews, Races

Congratulations to Oahu’s Kanesa Duncan for being the Kainalu Project’s August Athlete of the Month. On July 26th Kanesa won her 7th Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard crossing. Leaving no doubt that she is the best women’s paddleboarder in the world. In addition, Kanesa is a marine biologist and professor at the University of Hawai’i-Manoa. This year Kanesa has been representing “Race to Heal,” which is a project aimed at raising cancer awareness, particularly breast and cervical cancer, in the Hawaiian community.
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What’s the strangest pre-race breakfast you’ve heard someone eat?
I used to think it was strange that people could eat a whole cooked breakfast before a big race - like my friend Malia Kamisugi, who I’ve seen get up early to make a big bagel, egg, and cheese-toasted creation. But, this year my boyfriend made me eggs, sweet potatoes and toast before the channel. I have to say it was great…..

I know you’re focus is amazing on race day but have you ever had the time and space to laugh during a race? what happened?

Sometimes I laugh at the camera people because they are always doing funny things to get the “shot”, but I remember laughing during Clark Abbey’s first Mokapu race. It was just beautiful paddling around the East Oahu cliffs. I pulled up along Clark and we both laughed and smiled, talking about how great the race was. Then we tried to beat each other. I think I got him.

What’s your most memorable Molokai story?

Gosh, that’s a hard question. They all kind of blur together. I remember my first race really well though. My mom came on my escort boat and my friends escorted me. We went really North that year (most everyone did) and the current was just ripping - sucking us more North as we approached Oahu. A lot of guys got pulled out of the race. I wanted to finish so bad, and in a good time, but I remember watching the cliffs by Sandy beach and they weren’t moving. I think I was starting to “bonk” by that point as I’d stopped eating my gu gels and was just getting frustrated. Right about then, I remember my friend Theresa yelled from the escort boat, “I will pay you $100 if you eat that gu right now”… I stared at that gu gel for so long, but finally I ate the gu, and I finished the race in a new woman’s record time. Now that I look back on it, I don’t think Theresa ever paid me! …. That experience definitely helps me to keep on top of my race nutrition now. Also, I think that was the hardest Molokai Channel I’ve ever been in, so whenever I feel like I’m in a tough spot I remember back to it and know that as long as I keep charging ahead I can finish.

What was the greatest part of this year’s race?

I don’t think this years’ race had any real defining moments - the greatest part was more the overall feeling of the race. So many things came together to make it a special year. I felt really confident in my equipment and my team. My escort boat driver, Norm and his wife Mikala put in their last year with me (Norm’s going to go standup next year). My boyfriend (and soon to be husband - this December 31st!), Thor, came on my boat (he claims he restricted himself to yelling “I love you” only 5 times during the race). My training partners were also all there and they all raced incredibly. Even my sponsors were there - for example, Maui Jims flew their marketing representative, Dave Siragusa, out from Illinois! He was there at the finish to give me a lei and a diet coke. Overall, I just felt incredibly supported through the whole process. 

Tell us about Race to Heal.

Race To Heal is a grass roots organization that uses paddling to promote cancer awareness and education within the community. By advocating self-awareness, the importance of early cancer detection and community resources, they hope to see increased survival rates. www.racetoheal.com.

How did you get involved?

Race to Heal started with some of my friends (like Jaimie Kinard who is a Kainalu contributor) in Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling. I liked what they were doing - especially the fact that they were signing up people to do free cancer screening in combination with the Department of Health and Queens Hospital in Honolulu. I have had some personal experience with cancer in terms of friends, colleagues, and family members who had to battle it, but this year I also had my own scare (a lump in my breast that is most likely benign). Because I have good health insurance through the University of Hawaii (where I work), I was able to get checked right away. But that is not true for everyone. So, I feel like it is important to support programs like Race To Heal that spread awareness and opportunity as much as possible.

What are your passions?

My passions are the ocean, science, education, exercise, food, my friends, and my family. That’s pretty basic stuff I guess. Maybe my overarching passion is my drive to push myself to do better and better each time. I want to do more in the ocean, to paddle the farthest, the fastest, to surf the best waves that I can, and to provide discoveries and education that are valuable.

What reflections do you have from all your time in the water?
Sometimes I feel very in control of my board, my body, my surfing - like I can tackle anything the ocean throws out. And yet, while I was paddling Molokai this year, I was thinking that about how insignificant I felt on a little (15′) paddleboard getting pushed around the ocean. I tried to concentrate on keeping my board moving and not letting it slow down - looking for the “flat spaces” between the waves. Overall, I have learned this will make you go faster in a paddling race, and I think it’s true in life as well. Keep moving; if you hit a rough spot, change direction a bit - the fastest (and best) course is often not a straight line. 

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Ollie’s Point

Aug 5

Posted by Todd Clark in Trips, costa rica

Santa Rosa National Park

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Established in 1971 Santa Rosa’s sprawling 38,674 hectares (95,565 acres!) protects the largest remaining stand of tropical dry forest in Central America, and some of the most important nesting sites of several species of sea turtle. Many travelers go for the chance to surf the near-perfect beach break at Playa Naranjo.Surfers are greeted by a 4 mile stretch of beach with unknowna beautiful winding estuary. The legendary Witch’s Rock, also known locally as Roca Bruja, sits just offshore. The park is also home to another break of equal fame - Ollie’s Point. Locally known as Portrero Grande, the near perfect right was immortalized in the film Endless Summer II, and is named after US Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North. North is most famous for illegally selling weapons to Iran during the Reagan Era, and using the profits to fund the Contras in Nicaragua . Ollie’s Point refers to the nearby troop staging area and landing strip that everyone but the US Congress knew about. The boat trip from Playas del Coco is about as beautiful as it gets. The marine life and views are second to none. Diving can also be arranged in the park for a chance to see whale & bull sharks, eagle & manta rays, and a host of other marine species.

One word of caution; anyone who enters the park must have a permit similar to entering a national park in the U.S. or Canada. Make sure the charter boat company purchases the permits for you from the office in Playas del Coco. Random patrol boats enforce this (although sporadically) and can ruin an otherwise perfect day. The proceeds are an important source of funds for the management of the parks and their programs!

 

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Squibnocket

Aug 4

Posted by Ari Lurie in Stories

Just last week I drove across country to live on Martha’s Vineyard for a few months to teach surfing and paddling and enjoy the ocean life.  If you’re not familiar with the island, it’s a half hour by plane from Boston, amazingly beautiful and even during the tourist season there are more quiet places than crowded.  One of those is the islands best surf spot: Squibnocket. Its a Southeast facing point break that is usually very mellow unless a hurricane is blowing through the East Coast.  Then its macking.

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I was out there at 7am this morning trying to squeeze in a couple hours before the beach closes to all non-residents of Chilmark(the town Squibnocket is located).  During the high season they make this spot literally open to locals only.  Pretty funny stuff.  But its worth the restrictions.  Squibnocket is gorgeous, the wave can be very fun and the vibe in the water is awesome.  Everyones talking to each other and super nice.  Its a very, very cool place.

I have hypothesized that one of the reasons Squibnocket is so friendly is that most of the surfers are at a novice level.  There are some younger kids who rip a bit but in general its not a high flying crew.  Which really makes me wonder why people who are not great at surfing would be nicer than ones who are?  Are more accomplished surfers so jaded by all the time in the water that they forget that we are in the water to enjoy ourselves and being pleasant to one another is the foundation of that?  And even more baffling is why would someone new to the sport understand one of the cornerstones-ALOHA-so quickly?  Perplexing.

Just some thoughts I had to share.  I hope you all are enjoying your summers.

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Suggestions for August Athlete of the Month?

Aug 2

Posted by Ari Lurie in Uncategorized

We are looking for recommendations for this month’s athlete of the month award.  If you have someone in mind who embodies the Kainalu message and is a ocean athlete, please email us at ari@kainaluproject.com.  The person does NOT  have to be a professional athlete.  We would hope to interview him/her and have a picture or two of them for the blog as well.  Thanks everybody.

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