Maui Canoe Club EVENTS PLANNING 2010/2011

This is the page to post your comments regarding the Events Planning social program proposal for the 2010/2011 peak season which was presented in the recent email. This is your club. We greatly value your opinion.

Mahalo

Mike Elam

Executive Summary.

What follows is a discussion paper that targets our socials program for the 2010/2011 peak winter season.

We have choices:

- to maintain the status quo – schedule a couple of parties at Wailea Point and conduct our Annual General Meeting, or;

- to add a couple of new activities to spice things up, or;

- to implement a greatly increased socials program with events scheduled each and every month during the peak season.

More events? – many more volunteers would be required….. we can’t keep relying on the same faithful volunteers to do everything.

It’s your club – we value your opinion. Please take time to read this discussion paper and to file your comments on the Club Bulletin Board.

Respectfully submitted,
David Williams,
Honorary Member

Maui Canoe Club

EVENTS PLANNING 2010/2011 – DRAFT

Name and Launch our new canoe Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Holiday Season Party, Wailea Point Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010
Friends and Family Day # 1 Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010
Annual General Meeting Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010

Friends and Family Day # 2 Sunday Jan. 9, 2011
Grand Opening – Sugar Beach Site Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

Friends and Family Day # 3 Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

Valentines Day ? Monday, Feb. 14, 2011
Master Blaster Competition Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011

Friends and Family Day # 4 Sunday, Mar. 6, 2011
St. Patrick’s Day ? Thursday, Mar. 17, 2011
Relay Paddle Saturday, Mar. 19, 2011
Sunday, Mar. 20, 2011

End of Whale Season Party, Wailea Point Saturday, April 9, 2010
Fishing Derby Saturday April 16. 2011

Maui Canoe Club

EVENTS PLANNING 2010/2011 – Discussion
Our Socials Program is scheduled during the peak winter months when the full time residents of Maui along with the seasonal residents of our island are available to participate and to help out. Every Maui Canoe Club member should seriously consider helping with the delivery of what could be a very exciting socials program.

Our new Sugar Beach property will be the venue for many of our planned events. In past years, we were reluctant to use our Ka’ono’ulu beach park site for weekend activities fearing that we would displace the ‘locals’ – i.e. Maui families that picnic, fish, swim, and party there. But now we have our own private park to enjoy. We’ll have tables, chairs, bar-b-ques, an electrical generator, dry paper supplies, washup capability, private toilet, and trash containers – all on site.

The Sugar Beach based events will be typically scheduled for the morning and the mid-day. This site will be subject to high wind conditions from time to time. We will be installing a portable wind barrier fence in the park area of the property. This fencing and a tent will protect the food served and make it more comfortable for the event participants, should the wind pick up.

LOGISTICS:
Every planned club event has many common aspects.
1. Detailed advanced Planning and Management and Communications
2. Recruiting club members to help out
3 Shopping and purchasing goods and arranging services
4. Event site setup before participants arrive
5. Food and drink preparation and presentation
6. Greeting members and guests and name tagging participants
7. Master of ceremonies – introductions, timing and running the event
8. Award of prizes and thank-you’s
9. Clean-up of trash and packing of leftovers
10. Storing away equipment and tools – and site lockup
11. Review – what went well; what could have been done better
12. Report – to our Board; to our members.

You are welcome and you are invited to be an event(s) team member. Every club member should seriously consider volunteering – I said this before above – but, it’s worth repeating. The 2010 period has been a lot of really hard work for a core volunteer group consisting of 5% of our members – supplemented a number of times by work parties at the Sugar Beach that approached 30 volunteers – but that’s still only 15% of our members.

Let’s aim for much more participation during the next winter season for presenting the fun aspects of being a member of Maui Canoe Club. The events we have planned and the logistics tasks described above are opportunities – there is something for everyone.

Recently, past Maui Canoe Club President Bob Fondiller gave me some sound advice:
“…., my only word of caution is to try to make sure that we have people who are willing to be on the necessary planning and implementation committees. Too often these end up with the same people being “stuck” pulling these together at the last minute.”

So, please send comments that indicate that you are a willing volunteer to help out with our 2010/2011 Socials Program. . If there is a particular event that looks especially interesting to you – and/or, if there are some particular aspects of the logistics for events generally that suit your interest and expertise, tell us. Don’t be shy – if you would like to chair or co-chair an event – tell us…. these jobs are sometimes the most difficult to fill.

Below you will find a brief outline describing of some of our new proposed events. Oh, one more thing – if you have any ideas or suggestions that would improve our proposed Socials Program – your input would be really appreciated.

Another point of view……
As normal – after I finished DRAFT 2. of this position paper, I consulted with wife Daphne, to get her impressions – once again I got some sound advice as follows…..

1. Maybe we are trying to do too much – maybe members just want to come to the Sugar Beach site for a pot luck meal before sunset.

2. Four(4) Friends and Family days are too much – two would be enough.

3. The proposed schedule is too demanding of volunteers.

4. Maybe the status quo is what our members want.

5. We need a lot more feedback from our members to help define our socials program.

So clearly, there is contrast of opinion (that’s good) and at the end of the day it should be our members who decide how much or how little we do socially beyond our scheduled paddlings sessions five days per week.

Okay, what is a minimal socials program? In my view our bare minimum program could simply be the two traditional parties at Wailea Point plus our Annual General Meeting, which is a legal requirement. This year I would like to suggest including the Grand Opening of the Sugar Beach property within the minimal program.

I’m going to ask Mike to post this position paper on the Club Bulletin Board in an effort to solicit input comments from a broad base of members….. If we increase our socials program significantly, many more volunteers will be required. If volunteers beyond the core group of ‘regulars’ are not prepared to step up – by default, we can only sustain a minimal socials program.

Maybe an incremental increase in socials beyond the status quo is what members want. If there is interest in one or more of the proposed new activities and you and others are prepared to help out…. we’ll consider adding the activity. We need your comments – pro or con.

Mahalo

Maui Canoe Club……
Using our new Sugar Beach site
2010/2011 Events…….

1. Grand Opening of the Sugar Beach site
Planned and operated by a host committee
- blessing the site
- blessing the canoes
- dignitaries invited – Mayor, A&B, site suppliers
- chicken bar-b-que and liquid refreshments provided

2. Master Blaster (small scale) and steak bar-b-que
Planned and operated by a host committee
- 2 or 3 canoes involved
Classes: 6 paddlers, 4 paddlers, by age, women, men, mixed
- master blaster rigging provided
- rig / paddle around a buoy / de rig (a timed event)
(Perhaps the paddling crew is blind folded other than seat 6)

3. Friends and Family Sundays (4 of them) 0730 to 1100
Planned and operated by a host committee
5+ Captains scheduled to attend
Invite Maui residents too – recruiting drive
4 Sundays during the peak winter season.
Guests sign a waiver – no fee whatsoever
Hot-dog bar-b-que 1100 to 1200

4. Fishing Derby – 0600 to 1100
Planned and operated by a host committee
Two fishing rigs provided for each canoe
(Hand line, plug, rigged with surgical tubing)
Up to 8 canoes to participate
Prizes for the biggest fish, smallest fish, etc.
Bar-b-que fish and chips lunch

5. Relay Paddle
Planned and operated by a host committee
It is a multi-leg event spread over a two-day time span on a weekend. Each leg is approximately 5 miles long.

Day 1–Saturday (departure and arrival times are approximate)
7:00 AM-8:15 AM paddle from Sugar Beach to Ma’alaea Harbor
8:15 AM-9:30 AM paddle from Ma’alaea Harbor to Papalaua Wayside Park (just past the Pali Tunnel)
9:30 AM-10:45 AM paddle from Papalaua Wayside Park to Olowalu (Camp Olowalu)

We have contacted the manager of Camp Olowalu and have received her permission to leave our canoes here overnight. We would cable them together to a tree as we do at our beach.

Day 2–Sunday (departure times are approximate)
7:00 AM-8:15 AM paddle from Olowalu to Papalaua Wayside Park
8:15 AM-9:30 AM paddle from Papalaua Wayside Park to Ma’alaea Harbor
9:30 AM- 10:45 AM paddle from Ma’alaea Harbor to Sugar Beach
People can choose to sign up for as much or as little of this event as they like. I expect that some may only want to do one or two legs and others who enjoy a longer distance paddle may want to do all three.

People will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to get to their launching point and they would need to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to launch time. There will be transportation available to return to where they began and left their car.

11:00 AM Sunday, Brunch pot luck at Sugar Beach to celebrate the end of the two-day relay event.

A & B Property Progress Report Page

Aloha all

As Shel and his team progresses with the work on the A&B property at Sugar Beach he writes a (almost) daily report about what work occurred on that day as well as activities planned. These updates will appear here:

Awaiauluwa aola “Perpetuating The Living Canoe” What we learned……

Awaiauluwa aola
“Perpetuating The Living Canoe”
What we learned……

Maui Canoe Club.
April 25, 2010.

Our experimental sailing canoe project has been very educational. Our club is now the only canoe club on Maui with a 45 foot OC-6 single-hull crab claw sailing rig. In fact, the only other operational sailing canoe on Maui with a crab claw rig is owned by a non-profit that attracts cultural grants – situated at 505 Front Street in Lahaina.

The results of our prototype sailing canoe development project include the following observations (in no particular order).

1. Bamboo was a very economical medium for the wooden parts of our canoe – the mast, the yard, and the boom. In addition, a temporary bamboo trampoline was lashed to the starboard i’ako.

2. The used Hobbi Cat sail was a very cost effective purchase at $100. It has been modified twice as our design evolved. It is now a very pretty shape and culturally correct. The $100. sail purchase included a good quality main sheet block assembly and a second smaller sail.

3. Using one of our OC-6 canoes (HOKU HOLO) did not deprive our members or provisional paddlers of seats. During the peak season, the canoe provided paddling seats on a priority basis. We found that the double ama configuration worked just fine for everyday paddling. Latterly, we determined that it was feasible to leave the mast in place too for everyday paddling.

4. The bamboo continues to serve its purpose for the wooden members of the rig. However cracks have emerged in 35% of the bamboo pieces. It is likely that more of the bamboo pieces will crack as further drying of the wood (grass) continues. Duct tape to the rescue.

5. Replacement of the bamboo mast, the bamboo yard and the bamboo boom would be our first priority if we upgrade the rig for the 2010/2011 winter season. These spars would be fabricated using spruce or fir or the like. The lamination would be thin strips joined by epoxy much like our i’ako The specific gravity of bamboo is .35; the specific gravity of spruce is .45. So, replacement spars would be only slightly heavier or may even be lighter where we ‘doubled’ the bamboo for strength.

6. The trampoline upgrade would be made of fabric with grommets to enable lashing to the i’ako and the polo (a laminated member joining the i’ako). Overall the fabric trampoline rig would be lighter in weight than this season’s bamboo.

7. Rigging for sailing is getting faster and faster especially when the mast is left in place. If we were in a rush we, could probably rig for sailing in 15 minutes. We have been leaving the sail with the canoe – tied to the trampoline bamboo.

8. Safety training and equipment have been extensive and comprehensive throughout the project. Among other things we carry 2 spare paddles lashed to the i’ako; 2 VHF radios; we have a ‘man overboard’ float situated under seat 1; there is a knife lashed to the safety ama to cut it loose in the event of a huli.. Seat 2 is trained to manage the tricing lines; seat 3 is trained to manage the halyard; seat 4 is trained to manage the main sheet; seat 5 is trained to assist with steering. Everyone aboard is a full Maui Canoe Club member and experienced paddler. We suggest paddlers consider wearing a PFD. The trip plan is always known by someone ashore.

9. Spray covers are not required for fair-weather sailing – winds under 15 knots; waves less than 2 feet.

10. The tricing lines need to be upgraded to a larger diameter to improve handling by seat 2. The cleats need to be upgraded to handle the larger diameter line.

11. The main sheet line needs to be longer – perhaps another 15+ feet. Perhaps the current main sheet line could become the tricing line replacement mentioned in 10. above.

12. Our sailing canoe is cultural in appearance. The fiberglass hull and ama don’t pass the cultural test but many aspects of the rig mimic Polynesian technology – they include:
- the crab claw sail’s distinctive shape and size;
- the unstayed mast – canted forward some 30 degrees;
- the use of tricing lines to reduce sail;
- the mast peak ‘horns’ to guide the tricing lines;
- the mast and boom and yard fabricated from bamboo wood (actually grass);
- crew paddle the canoe much of the time especially during coming about; to and from shore, etc

13. The ideal main i’ako would be 5 feet longer and the ama would be greater in girth and foam filled making it heavier and safer. However, the Bradley Iolani ama and i’ako works okay in fair weather sailing. The main Iolani ama is ballasted with 60 pounds of water (in containers) – 20 of the 60 pounds are required to offset (neutralize) the weight of the port side safety ama (an old elephant tusk ama). The 40 additional pounds of ballast is rigged during sailing operations only and removed as soon at the canoe returns to shore.

14. We take away a bag full of stuff home when we leave the canoe on the beach including:
- 2 VHF radios
- 7 bicycle inner tubes
- one roll of duct tape
- man overboard float line and weight
- spare rigging line
- knife to cut away rigging line in an emergency
- the main sheet blocks and line

15. There was good Maui Canoe Club member participation in sailing activities.
Patricia Covici
Betty Miller
Shel Braidman
David Williams
Marty Frietas
George McDowell
Gloria Bastidas
Carlos Bastidas
Al Bayless
Ron Walsh
Jennifer Pratt
Eva Pennock
Mike Elam
Dan Deknis
Gloria Snyder
Rafi Boritzer
Mari Livingston
Debbie Turner
Claire Florio
John Brewer
Meryl Cohen
Richard DeGroot
Ken Richard

16. On two occasions we got caught in high winds – 20+ knots. The sail in both cases was lowered to the i’ako and lashed securely requiring considerable effort. We determined that a full crew of 6 is required for safety in case of getting caught in winds above 15 knots. The safety ama worked well and bounced us back several times. (The safety ama is rigged 20″ above the water in normal operations when the main ama is on the water).

17. The sailing canoe project budget was $500. for materials and accessories. We actually spent: $500. including shop supplies consumed like rigging line.

18. In the 15 to 20 knot wind range the rig holds together but on a port tack the ama gets buried and drag slows the canoe’s speed. We need a small trampoline on the safety ama side. On a starboard tack we needed 2 paddlers on the trampoline to stop the ama lift…… The HSCA design with much longer i’ako – a heavier ama and an ama with more girth now makes a lot of sense.

19. In the wind and sea conditions mentioned above in 18. our Big Bertha surfing canoe steering paddle would have been useful.

20. For argument’s sake – we could simply replace the bamboo with new bamboo for next winter (2010/2011) at virtually no cost and continue sailing without the cost of any upgrades mentioned above. This would restrict us to fair-weather sailing – but that’s okay. We’ll see.

21. The most troublesome aspect of the sailing rig design was the joining of the yard to the boom. Numerous combinations of lines and rubber rigging failed to meet the task. Ultimately a cup was fabricated to ‘step’ the yard. And, a fibreglass ‘gooseneck’ was fabricated to allow the boom to rotate on the yard and to allow the boom to be raised when tricing the sail. It worked!

22. The tricing lines have now been relocated to the 3/4 point up the boom which is the Polynesian standard location. This restores the required mechanical advantage to more easily shorten sail by pulling on the tricing lines. (The tricing lines were set lower to avoid line tangles – but ever since the sail was modified to insert more sailcloth, tangles have been eliminated).

23. The training of more Sailing Captains has commenced. Sailing Captains (in addition to being a MCC approved Captains) need a basic knowledge of the points of sail and sailing techniques and safety. Right now, David and Marty are trained as Sail Captains – they will continue to train more MCC Captains as Sail Captains.

24. The most important guideline for the current relatively fragile rig is: “when the white caps show up” – the sail should be triced fully and/or taken down and lashed to the trampoline bamboo.

25. The winds of winter 2010 have been frequent, significant, and gusty for many days in a row. We have enjoyed some good light wind sailing; in a 10 knot wind our GPS speed was recently clocked at 6.2 knots. One day (without GPS) we hit an estimated 8.0 knots for a time.

26. The building of our experimental sailing canoe rig succeeded because of the commitment, expertise, and innovation of our team of Maui Canoe Club members: George McDowell, Paul Bonnano; Mari Livingston; Jennifer Pratt; Corinna Cooney, Richard DeGroot, Marty Freitas; RC Kaiser, Carlos Bastisdas, Dan Deknis; and Shel Braidman. Mahalo to each of you, David.

27. Some notable experiences are best described as follows:
“SNAP!” the yard broke in two when a sail line tangle was over powered by the main sheet block operator.

“I got a sail and block and kevlar line for only $100.” Paul

“The project and sailing took me to places I never thought I would go” – Mari

“If we don’t all paddle more powerfully – we’re going to be on the rocks” – George, in serious winds drifting South.

“Dale, I would appreciate if you would maintain a line item for costs for sailing canoe parts. We authorized $500. for this Thanx” – Gerard to Club Treasurer Dale

“I like seat 2 – I can lean back onto the mast in comfort” Jennifer

“Is it always this slow?” Shel, on a very light wind day.

“Today’s sailing experience gave me chicken skin” – Carlos, the day we hit 8 knots

“I think our mast is showing stress cracks” says Marty. “No problem, we’ll just apply more duct tape” says David

“Photos provided” by the Sugar Beach condo residents after we beached there one day.

“Hooray for the sailing canoe” Rafi (world sailor)

“Cheers and clapping” from a Kihei Canoe Club Tuesday flotilla as we sailed by in review.

28. As I end yet another wonderful winter season on Maui – I have asked Marty Freitas to manage the Sailing Program until my return to Maui. If there is an equipment failure – he will arrange a repair; if sailing is no longer possible – Marty will dis-assemble the rig and store all of the fabricated parts.

Meanwhile, Marty will continue to train interested Captains and crew members in the art of sailing a Polynesian rigged canoe.

One last thought – I would appreciate a digital photo by email of our canoe under sail – the last photo I have was taken prior to our sail modifications that improved its appearance.

Respectfully submitted,

David Williams

CAPTAIN’S TRAINING ..in sea life rescue?

It didn’t start out as Training in Sea Life Rescue; it was just another Captain Training session The steering classes had started due to lack of Captains during summer months and the interest of a few paddlers who could not do the normal fall seasons course given by Dave Williams. It was just a usual nice sunny day in Kihei, Maui. Enough wave action to get the student captains going in and out avoiding large wave crests, first on North Lei Beach Park and then on the South part. Lei Beach Park is the official name of the county park on the beach at the foot of Ka Ono Ulu Street next to the Maui Lu Resort; also referred to as: Our Beach”.

I (Shel) was the Captain on board, with Chris Stankis, and Mike Reineer , as captains in training. Also on board was Washington Bob and the always willing to help out Al Bayless in seat one. I was trying to get Chris caught up in the training program because he was working more often than usual at his job as a kayak tour group leader. Chris was given double classes did very well and Mike was next in seat six as captain. I was going to get him to go in the same repetitive training sequence, as we had done previously.

“Let’s go out to Wilson “, Mike said. “They put a new float or something out there.”
Wilson is a location about 300 yards out from the Whale Sanctuary along a reef that essentially starts from the ancient fish pond out to sea. Wilson was so named because the buoy was usually a volley ball or basketball with the manufacture name Wilson on it. Later any floating ball would was substituted ; but still was called Wilson in honor of the year 2000 film Cast Away starring Tom Hanks where Hanks portrays a FedEx executive who is stranded on an uninhabited island after the Fed Ex plane crashes on a flight over the South Pacific. He befriends one of the cargo items…a Wilson volleyball. That is why we canoe clubs have our endearing friend out there.

Mike being very much in tune with the ocean and his sixth sense might have been telling him something. It seemed he was being directed to out to Wilson. I said “OK, as some sort of training we will make an educated guess on how many changes it will take to get there.” I thought that Mike could slide along the float and check his steering.

What is said about plans? Well something else happened. About 100 yards away from target Al yells out” Did you see that splashing?”

Mike and I responding together affirmed. The next splash as we approached closer was distinctly a turtle. It was still splashing as in a fight. I though, On No… the turtle was battling for its life against a shark.

Getting very close we could see that the turtle was tangled up in the rope attached to Wilson, which was not Wilson like instead a large plastic can serving as a float. Mike called “Lava back paddle” We drifted back. “Lava “again shouted Mike R. Mike in seat six and I in seat five tried to restrain the turtle. She, yes it was a she, was strong and slapping us and the canoe.

She has two loops around her neck and two loops around her right forward fin. Mike shouted to me. “Watch out, those fins have a harp edge. “ I had being having sprained arm problems and felt it would be better if Chris dropped back to my seat and I moved up on the iako, the wood portion of the outrigger system, to stabilize the canoe. We didn’t have a knife or a cell phone to call for help. We did have two strong men wrestling the turtle. They managed to loosen and untie the head loops and the get the fin loops untied. The turtle not knowing if we friend or foe was battling all the time. It looked at us with its mouth open. Even though I have seen turtles while diving and snorkeling I never had this close of a face to face encounter.
Our brave lads Mike and Chris deserve a lot of credit. Our female Honu (Green Sea Turtle) was free and headed straight down to get away from us, her perceived foe.

Perhaps when we go out there again she may realize that we were just helping out We came back to the beach “stoked” on our great day of Captain training and sea life rescue.

Non-Maui Canoe Club Events and Volunteer Opportunities

The purpose of the club Bulletin Board is to facilitate membership communication. Please use this page to post information about any special events, volunteer opportunities, and/or whatever else you would like to alert the club membership to.

In the Waves with the OC-4

Waves Today June 10, 2009

There were waves today and the numbers of people were such that the OC-4 could come into play. Richard Degroot seat one, Dale Webster seat 2, Shel Seat 4. Seat three was left empty due to the numbers and advice from surfers Hawaiian Mike and Sea watch Dave had given me. Load the front… keep the back light. As captain I took their advice.

The crew was strong and we could keep up with Kai i Hitu on the way out. We both jumped over some big waves. I turned back early to see if we could catch some waves. The surf had died down. We plied the beach a little. I was getting impatient and I heard the surfers mantra.. Try wait….which is what I did.

We came around and waited as the surge built up. I lined up and this monster 4 to 5 foot face loomed up and I yelled paddle hard. The OC-4 Nalu Hoholo lived up to her name. The back rose up and the nose pointed down. I think I could look down over Dale’s head and see Richards feet as my butt rose out of the seat. Keep my eye on the ama I said to myself as I steered into Kaonoulu beach with the roar of the wave directly behind us. “Turnig left” I shouted as Dale leaned on the iako. Lean left was the next command as we came across the face , turned and continued out to sea.

All of us were overjoyed with the experience. I asked if they were ready for another hardly getting the words out as they shouted Yes, Yeah! I headed out again and we stopped (Lava) while waiting for another set soon on its way. Dale asked Richard “Did you think that we could go head over heels. Richards response was Yes, for sure. I asked Dale if he felt being in seat three would be better. His response and therefore his position was changed.

Shortly after that along comes another surge giving birth to a monster. Here we go ! Back end up again. I start out Ok but the nose starts going left into the face. I try to pull the back around (more on that later) . I couldn’t get out of it. I second later I see Dale laying on the iako with the ama just about 11 o’clock over my head. The next thing I remember is being under water and smacking the top of my foot against the coral Well I knew where we were, The reef just in front of our beach.

At the surface I couldn’t see Dale or Richard over the upside down Nalu Hoholo and shouted “everyone OK?” I heard Dale and Richard shout that they were fine. Well I remember Mike Elam and I had talked about a huli practice on the OC-4. No need for me and my crew. All else went like clockwork. Richard gathered some paddles Dale and I kept the stern to the oncoming wave set. I called for waiting a bit until the set subsided. We ducked a few big waves hanging on to the canoe. Richard was on the shot end of the forward iako and Dale and I pushed up on the upside down ama and she flipped to upright quite easily. I told Dale to get in. He got in at seat four which was fine. Dale is a captain and so is Richard how lucky can you get. Richard and I got in as quickly as we could especially considering how high the gunnels are on the OC-4 even when one quarter full of water.
We paddled straight in with just a minor set behind us.

Jonica was on the beach and saw it all. I good thing, She gave me just a short but correct piece of advise. “Shel you gotta poke right .. you can never pull the rear around in that kind of wave,” She was right. I had gotten used to and it almost became habit to pull the stern. With those forces… neva happen.

The summary: I scrapped my instep. Nalu Hoholo had lost her virginity , Dale and Richard checked off yet another huli with captain Shel. We had fun, practiced, and learned.
Another day in paradise.

Canoe Swamping Experience

The canoe I took out during the ashes ceremony on Wednesday swamped in the surf zone.  I wanted to describe this experience and make it available for general discussion and comment.  Prior to Wednesday I had never had a huli or a swamping as a captain of Maui Canoe Club (I have had them in the past with a previous club).  My record is no longer unblemished and I would like everyone to learn from this experience.  I attempted to be as objective as possible.  I have documented my opinion of what went wrong and what went right here.  You may agree or disagree.  All comments and feedback are encouraged and appreciated.  Let’s all learn from each other. 

During the Canoe Blessing and Memorial Service this past Wednesday we experienced our first small swell of the season.  All seven canoes were lined up on the south beach prepared to launch and head to Wilson for the ashes ceremony.  As captain of Naia Kolohe with my crew of Meryl and Bruce Cohen, Jan Gayle, Al Bayless and Paul Bonanno my plan was to head south towards the fishpond wall and then out to sea trying to go around the impact zone.  After I launched heading south I found the rollers breaking against the right side of the canoe so I changed my plan to head straight out.  Let me be clear.  That was where I made my mistake.  I should have stuck to my original plan. The rest of what happened was a direct result of this mistake.

As we headed out watching the waves coming at us I kept the ama at roughly a 45 degree angle facing the wave.  All paddlers were paddling on the left.  We were hit by wave after wave.  Meryl in seat one had to quit paddling and duck as each wave hit.  As we went over each wave it lifted the ama and Bruce in seat four had the presence of mind to immediately lean out on the iako keeping us from a huli.  David Williams had drilled this point in to each of the students during the recent captain’s training course—do what you can to keep the ama from coming up.  Each wave filled the canoe with more and more water until we were submerged enough that the next wave knocked most of us out of the canoe, including me.  We did not huli that morning.

Once we were all in the water near the now-submerged canoe I communicated with each crew member asking if he or she was OK.  We gathered all the paddles and other items, i.e., water bottles, caps, cameras, seat cushions, etc.  I then had a decision to make.  Should we turn the boat upright or leave it submerged and bring it to shore.  We were still in the surf zone and the waves continued to roll in over us.  It was low tide and shallow enough for Paul and I to touch the bottom.  I decided that turning the boat over with the waves continuing to roll in was not the right option due to where we were still inside the surf zone, the waves would just continue to keep us submerged.  With Bruce on the ama and Al sitting in the canoe paddling we slowly and deliberately walked the boat into shore where we emptied it and pushed it up on to the beach.  People on shore pointed us left and right to help us avoid walking the canoe into the large submerged rocks.  The crew returned safely with no injuries and no damage occurred to the canoe.

Lessons learned in no particular order:

1.       From the south beach with swells 1-2 ft or more head south towards the fishpond and go around the waves, avoid heading directly into the impact zone.

2.       If the canoe becomes swamped inside the impact zone with waves continuing to roll in, your best course of action may be to bring (paddle or walk) the canoe back to the beach rather than try to empty it.

3.       Wear reef shoes.  Some were barefoot and found it difficult to walk over the rocks on the bottom on the way back to shore.  I had no trouble at all.

4.       When heading in to a wave do whatever you can to keep the ama down at all times.

5.       Those in seats one and two need to duck and cover to avoid being hit by the full impact of the wave.

6.       Keeping the ama at a 45 degree angle was the right approach but we just had too many waves one after another to get all the way through the surf zone safely.

7.       If you decide to paddle or walk a submerged canoe back to shore be sure to place someone on the ama.  The canoe at that point is like a large log and can roll over easily unless someone is hanging on the ama to keep it down.

All comments and feedback are encouraged and appreciated.  Let’s all learn from each other.

Mahalo

Mike

Pink Paddlers Bulletin Board

This is the place for the Maui Canoe Club Pink Ladies to communicate.

Board Meeting Minutes

This page displays the minutes of each Maui Canoe Club Board of Directors meeting.

Lost and Found

This is the place to post notices to members if you have lost or found an item.

General Conversation-Questions and Answers

This is the place to post general conversation about Maui Canoe Club, to post questions, and receive answers.

Weekend Paddle-Sunday

Weekend Paddle-Saturday

This is the place to find people who want to arrange a paddle on Saturdays.

Equipment For Sale/Needed

This is the place to advertise and find paddling equipment for sale.