Makapo Outrigger Prepares for Queen Lili'uokalani

On Sunday June 8, 2008 in preparation for the 18 mile Queen Lili’uokalaniRace in Kona, Hawaii the Makapo Outrigger Canoe Club completed an 18 milepractice from Newport Beach to Dana Point, California. With Billy Whitford of the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC)driving the escortboat and (3) sighted steersmen the 10 blind paddlers completed the course in3 ½ hours.

The ocean was beautiful with the conditions being nearly perfect – a bit ofwind chop in the last 2 miles created a challenge as the blind paddlers learned to find the ever changing ocean surface below their paddles. Most of our practices thus far have been inside the protected Newport Harborwith very little time spent in the open ocean. All of the paddlers LOVEDthe ocean conditions – noticing how the canoe “wanted to fly” in the openocean.

Most of the paddlers reported losing sleep the night before due to fears ofthe unknown. Would they actually be able to go the distance? What wouldhappen if they couldn’t? What would it be like to be in the open ocean forso long? Imagine being completely blind and jumping into an outrigger canoe andpaddling out into the open ocean ………………. Just imagine.

"These paddlers are the bravest I’ve ever known and are a constant source ofinspiration," says the Makapo Outrigger Canoe Club coach, Kirsten Hermstad Garwood. Practices are held at the NAC in Newport Beach Tuesdays and Thursdays at5:30pm and 9:30am Saturdays. Blind paddlers – kids and adults - interestedin paddling are welcome to join us the first Saturday of every month at Noonat the NAC.

Visit http://www.ocmap.org/ to learn more about our programs. Makapo Paddlers equipment, race fees and travel expenses are completely paidby the Orange County Makapo Aquatics project non-profit corporation. KIALOA is a proud donor and any donations and sponsorships are greatly appreciated.

Aloha,

Kirsten Hermstad Garwood