Pacific Paddler Contents


Publisher: Ropati Hebenstreit sales: (808) 351-2398 Writers: Connor Baxter, Luke Evslin, Serena Hunter, Cheance Adair, Randy Botti, Tim Lara, Tiger Taylor Photos: Peter Caldwell, Harvie Allison, Brian Vestyck/hampsterworks.com, Karen Baxter, Tim Lara Proof reader: Amy Hebenstreit A MAGAZINE FOR PADDLERS BY PADDLERS Mission Statement: to bring the excitement of outrigger paddling to a larger audience. We feel that Pacific Paddler’s hui of supporters, contributors, subscribers and advertisers is helping the sport grow, not only here in Hawaii, but around the world. Thanks for your contribution to the sport. Printed by	On the cover: Team OPT, during the Hawaiki Nui, get water from Tim Lara who also takes this picture Contents, February 2011<pdf current issue> Hawaiki Nui: OPT back to back Welcomed into the OPT camp (The whole story) A rudderless revolution Hawaii Vaka Association Vaka Eiva Kids in Canoes SoCal Winter racing Kanaka Ikaika Calendar Paddle About What's Hot	Discount Coupons Jimmy Buffett's
In this issue, we take a look at races in the Cook Islands and Tahiti. In Rarotonga, Serena Hunter recalls the action in and out of the water at the Vaka Eiwa. Looks like the Hawaiians were there in force. In Tahiti, Peter Caldwell follows the Havaiki Nui and brings back his report, plus lots of photos. His pictures may just make you want to plan a trip there to see for yourself one of the most prestigious and grueling races in paradise. Tim Lara made his pilgrimage there and was invited into the OPT camp. He looks at the race from their perspective. We also look at a revolution taking place that some hope will take us to the next level in racing. Paddlers are going rudderless. Why? We peel back the reasons in a look at the V1's growing popularity from the perspective of Luke Evslin of Kaimanu Composites, 'Tiger' Taylor of Tiger Canoes, Jeremy Cole, President of the Hawaii Vaka Association, and Ron Cotteen of Island Paddler, a new convert to going rudderless. Peter Caldwell shares his pictorial coverage of high school paddling on Oahu. Cheance Adair from Southern California keeps us updated from her sunny side of the Pacific along with photos taken by Brian Vestyck of hamsterworks.com. We tell you where paddlers and hippos are sharing the same river, and finally our 'What's Hot' review of some of the paddling products on the market. I'd like to thank our long-time supporter, Ty Sakaguchi, Marketing Manager for Bud Light, who is helping us stay in print. Bud Light also sponsors Kanaka Ikaika and provided Jim Foti with samples of their 'Bud Light Lime' to hand out at the awards/lunch after the races. From the smiles that followed, it seems to hit the spot. We have coverage of their race from Makai Pier to Kailua via the back-side of Rabbit Island. Mahalo to Denise Darval-Chang who gave me a ride to the starting line. She recently started 'Ocean Playground Shuttle'. You leave your car at the finish, she takes you and your canoe to the start, and you don't have to hassle with getting your wheels after the race. You can just kick back and enjoy the entertainment and company of your paddling buddies. What a great service, and so affordable. And so are we. Free at selected locations and by subscription for $12 a year. Your support goes a long way in keeping us afloat. Hope to see you in your canoe. Hope the New Year is starting well for you. Sadly, it's not for Bobby Puakea. His workshop was broken into Jan 3rd and most of his tools were stolen I've known Bobby for 33 years and he's a good man. I hope you can get this story out to others and help him get his feet under him again. I myself have an extra palm sander and will give it to him. Hope others in our circle can do something as well. David Komine, Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Assoc. venturaoutrigger.com Good News! Since this was reported, Boby has received donations and tools that replace what was stolen.

Publisher: Ropati Hebenstreit
sales: (808) 351-2398

Writers: Connor Baxter, Luke Evslin, Serena Hunter, Cheance Adair, Randy Botti, Tim Lara, Tiger Taylor

Photos: Peter Caldwell,
Harvie Allison, Brian Vestyck/hampsterworks.com, Karen Baxter, Tim Lara

Proof reader: Amy Hebenstreit

A MAGAZINE
FOR PADDLERS
BY PADDLERS
Mission Statement: to bring the excitement of outrigger paddling to a larger audience. We feel that Pacific Paddler’s hui of supporters, contributors, subscribers and advertisers is helping the sport grow, not only here in Hawaii, but around the world. Thanks for your contribution to the sport.

Printed by

On the cover: Team OPT, during the Hawaiki Nui, get water from Tim Lara who also takes this picture

Contents, February 2011<pdf current issue>

Hawaiki Nui: OPT back to back
Welcomed into the OPT camp (The whole story)
A rudderless revolution
Hawaii Vaka Association
Vaka Eiva
Kids in Canoes
SoCal Winter racing
Kanaka Ikaika
Calendar
Paddle About
What's Hot

Discount Coupons
Jimmy Buffett's

Hekili Tee shirts/Painting

In this issue, we take a look at races in the Cook Islands and Tahiti. In Rarotonga, Serena Hunter recalls the action in and out of the water at the Vaka Eiwa. Looks like the Hawaiians were there in force. In Tahiti, Peter Caldwell follows the Havaiki Nui and brings back his report, plus lots of photos. His pictures may just make you want to plan a trip there to see for yourself one of the most prestigious and grueling races in paradise. Tim Lara made his pilgrimage there and was invited into the OPT camp. He looks at the race from their perspective.
We also look at a revolution taking place that some hope will take us to the next level in racing. Paddlers are going rudderless. Why? We peel back the reasons in a look at the V1's growing popularity from the perspective of Luke Evslin of Kaimanu Composites, 'Tiger' Taylor of Tiger Canoes, Jeremy Cole, President of the Hawaii Vaka Association, and Ron Cotteen of Island Paddler, a new convert to going rudderless.
Peter Caldwell shares his pictorial coverage of high school paddling on Oahu. Cheance Adair from Southern California keeps us updated from her sunny side of the Pacific along with photos taken by Brian Vestyck of hamsterworks.com. We tell you where paddlers and hippos are sharing the same river, and finally our 'What's Hot' review of some of the paddling products on the market.
I'd like to thank our long-time supporter, Ty Sakaguchi, Marketing Manager for Bud Light, who is helping us stay in print. Bud Light also sponsors Kanaka Ikaika and provided Jim Foti with samples of their 'Bud Light Lime' to hand out at the awards/lunch after the races. From the smiles that followed, it seems to hit the spot. We have coverage of their race from Makai Pier to Kailua via the back-side of Rabbit Island. Mahalo to Denise Darval-Chang who gave me a ride to the starting line. She recently started 'Ocean Playground Shuttle'. You leave your car at the finish, she takes you and your canoe to the start, and you don't have to hassle with getting your wheels after the race. You can just kick back and enjoy the entertainment and company of your paddling buddies. What a great service, and so affordable.
And so are we. Free at selected locations and by subscription for $12 a year. Your support goes a long way in keeping us afloat. Hope to see you in your canoe.

Hope the New Year is starting well for you.
Sadly, it's not for Bobby Puakea. His workshop was broken into Jan 3rd and most of his tools were stolen
I've known Bobby for 33 years and he's a good man. I hope you can get this story out to others and help him get his feet under him again. I myself have an extra palm sander and will give it to him. Hope others in our circle can do something as well.
David Komine, Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Assoc.
venturaoutrigger.com

Good News! Since this was reported, Boby has received donations and tools that replace what was stolen.