Paddling (again)

As you all know I am a paddler. That means a lot here in Hawaii. Paddling is life here. People get pretty obsessed over it. They live and breathe paddle talk or "paddletics" as they call it.

Paddling in an outrigger canoe is very different then paddling in a canoe or a kayak. There is a specific form and technique to all of it. Hawaiians are so passionate about paddling because this is how the Polynesians came over to Hawaii. They take the form, the technique and the sport very seriously.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I paddle at the pier with my group of Novice B women and on Saturday's we race.

Below is a video of one of our previous races. (we came in third) I thought it would be helpful to see what I'm actually doing practically every night.

There are 6 people in a boat. I sit seat 6 and am the steers-person or ho'okele in Hawaiian. It's my job to keep the boat straight which isn't as easy as it sounds. Hopefully this video will help you "see" what's been taking up all my time these past few months. Enjoy....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT0dCoGvpXc

One year anniversary

May 30, 2011 marked our one year anniversary in Hawaii. This year has flown by and we can't believe it's been one year already.

It feels like just yesterday we were trying to pack our life in to as few suitcases as possible. (6 bags wasn't so bad) and say our goodbyes to the mainland.

In the past year we've gotten a dog, started and quit a job, lived through a tsunami, gone cliff-jumping, camped on the beach, learned to surf, stand up paddle board and paddle in an outrigger canoe, gone deep sea fishing, flown in a plane, started new jobs, explored secret beaches, seen humpback whales, bought a scooter, volunteered at the Ironman Triathalon, learned to drive stick, moved in to a new house, learned to speak Pidgin (sorta), played in snow on top of a volcano, swam with dolphins, gone to the ocean almost every day, and seen breathtaking sunsets almost every night. Not bad for year one...