Lōkahi: A Strong Start and Our Journey Forward!
Aloha Lōkahi ʻohana,
What a weekend! We’ve officially kicked off the 2025 regatta season, and I want to extend a huge mahalo to every single paddler who left their heart out on the water at the Manu O Ke Kai Canoe Club Regatta. The energy was electric, the competition was fierce, and our Lōkahi spirit was undeniable.
The first race of the season is always a test—of our training, our focus, and our will. It sets the foundation for everything that follows. I’m incredibly proud of our performance. We finished a strong 3rd in our division with 22 points, a fantastic platform to build upon for the rest of the season.
Let’s give a massive shout-out to our crews who brought home medals!
- 🥈Men 70: A phenomenal 2nd place finish with a time of 4:46.24!
- 🥈Men 65: Another powerful 2nd place, clocking in at 4:50.08!
- 🥉Men 60: A hard-fought 3rd place finish with a time of 4:40.34!
- 🥉Men Senior: Another strong 3rd place finish with a time of 15:14.81!
These crews showed incredible strength and experience, securing two silver and two bronze medals for our club. Congratulations are also in order for our Men Novice A crew for their 4th place finish and our Mixed Men and Women 40 crew for battling it out to grab a point in a packed field.
Out of the 14 races we entered, we saw nine crews complete their events, and we had zero disqualifications, which speaks to your focus and clean paddling. This is our starting line. From our seasoned veterans to our newest novices, every stroke taken was a stroke forward for Lōkahi .
Our Focus: Onward to Keʻehi Lagoon
Now, our sights are set on our next challenge at the historic Keʻehi Lagoon. Keʻehi is a different beast. It’s a course that demands precision, endurance, and flawless teamwork. The water is often flat, meaning there’s no hiding—every stroke, every change, and every turn counts.
As we prepare, let’s dial in our focus on these key areas:
- Explosive Starts: The first 10-15 strokes at Keʻehi are critical. The field is often crowded, and a clean, powerful start is our ticket to open water. Let's practice our starts to ensure we are firing on all cylinders from the very first stroke.
- Mastering the Turn: Keʻehi’s multi-turn courses are won and lost in the corners. We need to make our turns our advantage. Let’s work on being sharp, seamless, and explosive coming out of each flag. A single good turn can move you up a whole canoe length.
- Sustaining the Pace: On the long, straight stretches of the lagoon, it's tempting to either burn out early or save too much for the end. The key is to find our "red line" and hold it. We must trust our training, find a strong and sustainable rhythm, and paddle our own race. Stay long, stay together, and maintain that power from start to finish.
- Logistics and Commitment: We had two crews scratch this past weekend. Let’s make a collective commitment to be there for our crews. This means being on time, well-hydrated, and ready to race. Let’s ensure our canoes and our bodies are prepared so that every crew that enters has the chance to compete.
We have the experience, we have the heart, and we have the drive. Let’s take the lessons from this first regatta, sharpen our focus, and show everyone the meaning of Lōkahi —unity, harmony, and teamwork.
Imua Lōkahi!