adventures and notices

posted 12/5/03

 The HSCA will be holding a board of directors meeting Dec 7th @12:00pm.

It will be held at Matt Buckmans shop in sand island. All members are invited to attend.
If you cannot attend and have any issues or comments you would like to be addressed,
you may either contact your island delegate, or email me and I will be happy to read it for the board.

We will also be setting the 2004 schedule.

Now is the time to give your thoughts, concerns or any issues you may have a voice.

Any questions, please feel free to call me.

Happy holidays to you all.

Terry Galpin
HSCA

posted 8/4/03

Subject: RE: Swimming to Ni'ihau 7/20/03

We made it.  I have to start with that because the experience would take several days to explain in all its manifestations.   The weather was cautionary with E trades in the 15/25 in the channels.  The winds throughout the state at least on Maui and Oahu were nuking to the point that going to the beach on Maui was uncomfortable.  My swimmer partners were wondering why I had not called it off and were suggesting alternate dates.   Little did we know with the winds out of the east the Ni'ihau channel was protected.  Our boat operator went out for weather check on Wednesday and Sat and reported good conditions.  We got up at 3:30 and were down to kukiula at 4:15.  The boat had been ready from 4 am.  We drove the 2.5 miles down to the base and it was beautiful 1/2 moon morning with crystal clear water and no wind.  It was magnificent.  I blew the puu shell and we prayed for a safe crossing.  We were in the water at 5:15 swam to shore touched sand and then started out with moon light lighting the sandy bottom.  Sea birds blessed our departure and we were off at a comfortable pace.  We went 1 hour before breaking and then did about 10, 30 min feedings and then went to 25 min. and then dropped to 15min for the last 4 feedings.  We were all focused and were guided by Tomi Haynes in a Kayak.  That was very helpful.  We all stayed strong and finished strong.  I was very sore in the shoulders for the last 1.5 hours and the breaks were good.  After finishing my shoulders locked up and I could not lift my arms.  We took accelerate mostly and ate very little solid food.  I had one snicker and one power bar and two feedings of peaches, a swig of coke and that was it.  I did gulp at least 8 oz of accelerate every feeding.  We were greeted by dolphins 3 times and it was as if they were protecting us.  We had a marlin come under us fast and then come back slow checking our one of our swimmers.  The experiancet taught me the power of the  mind because my body was not up to the challenge.  Recovery was fairly rapid with canoe paddling on Wednesday and swimming also Wednesday.  Felt like it didn't happen in a week.  I was I Glad did not damage anything in my shoulders.    It took us 10:45 to do the crossing.  We experienced very little current and calculated our course at about 20 miles.  We hit perfect at Ki'i landing.  We were greeted by a friendly Hawaiian but did not stick around but just swam back to the boat.  A papio greeted me at the reef and guided me to a safe landing spot.  It was a transformational experience for me and I am a lot more confident in myself after having completed this swim. 

 Aloha,  Mike 

posted 7/31/03

Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 8:54 AM

Subject: agenda

Aloha Everyone,

Leimomi called me regarding the agenda for the sailing festival that was originally scheduled for August 16h. I sent out an email earlier but to be on the safe side here is the agenda.

August 16th - Na Holo Kai - $150.00 entry fee per canoe.

$60.00 2003 new HSCA membership fee, $5.00 ACA fee.

August 17th - Sailing canoe festival - we have some fun activities planned this year. No charge

Just a reminder, our HSCA web-site does have a schedule posted, so if you are ever in doubt and can-not reach me, you can always check www.hsca.biz

I will be on the mainland from August 4th until the 13th. I cannot check my email away from my computer, but have copied the email address you can reach me at or feel free to call my cell phone 372-8131 if you have any questions...

In closing, I have notified Aston of the new dates, so hopefully we will have rooms on Kauai, they are booked on Oahu for the 15th, but my home is opened to anyone who needs a place to stay (I will be at turtle bay that night). Book your flights ASAP, as it is a holiday weekend and it is filling up quickly.

A Hui Ho

Terry

posted 4/17/03

Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 8:37 AM

Subject: An awesome night

Set the scene:
5:30pm Kings Harbor, Redondo Beach.
Breezy, small craft warning flag is out (the ocean is churning).
We have 6 canoes on the water in the harbor.
But only 5 paddlers in each canoe, mostly novice paddlers.

We started out of the harbor. I'm steering one of the boats.
Our heading is the setting sun. 15 minute pieces through the incoming
chop, 4-6 foot seas and the wind blowing in our faces.
Five canoes racing into the sun. About half way through the second piece,
I here screaming from behind. One of the canoes had huli (flipped).
Everybody in the water. All the canoes stop and hold position except the
closest canoe circles around to support. They right the canoe and get
her bailed out in minutes. With everybody back in the canoe and all the canoes
on line again, we start our 3rd piece with the sun just inches above
the horizon. When we finished that piece the sun was half gone.
We turned our canoes around to see a huge full moon, orange in color,
just above the hills over looking Kings Harbor. In the dimming light of day
and the lights on shore not yet bright enough to guide back in, we start
racing straight into the moon. Now riding the swells, using the ocean and
the wind to our advantage. We are only doing 10 minutes pieces now, but
with elements now on our side we cover the same distance or more with
each piece. When we finish the second piece the sun is gone and but for the
moon the sky is dark. The harbor and pier lights are now bright and right
in front of us. One last sprint for the harbor and that's it. Everybody's spirits
are high, the adrenaline is pumping. It's dark and the ocean is a churning. and
we're riding every swell we can get. We start out even but I get lucky and catch
the first big swell that throws us out in front. Then Andy catches one and moves
up along side. Neck and neck, neither crew giving in. The ocean making the
difference. As we come up to the end of the sea wall entrance to the harbor,
not more than 5 - 6 feet from the rocks, a big swell comes up behind .
As it picks us up I struggle to hold her straight and with quick poke left the swell
takes us just passed the end of the rocks and put us down gently inside the
harbor. Damn that was a fun run.
We held up in the calm waters just inside the harbor until all the canoes
made it in safely. Then we formed up and paddled easy to the docks talking
about how each boat ran on the last piece. By the time the canoes were
away it was 8:45pm and time to head home.
An awesome night.

posted 2/13/03

Subject: Holopuni -Bora Bora

Hi Gang,

Just back from Bora Bora where we set up this new canoe.

Planning a race and an inter-island sailing canoe cruise down there...any interest in getting involved?

Aloha, Nick

---

 

posted 3/11/03

VOYAGE OF   THE   HOLOPUNI
                      Holopuni goes to Bora Bora

                                NICK BECK

                                2/27/03

Bora Bora...Just the name brings up vivid visions of the ultimate tropical paradise.
Bora Bora is the classic tropical volcanic island which has evolved to the stage of a high main island surrounded by a large fringing reef which has smaller motu's (islands), some of which people live on.
The jutting peaks of Otemanu and Pahia dominate the volcanic heart of Bora Bora and are the " Bali Hai" image of the tropics.
Between the surrounding barrier reef,  with it's motus and the main island of Bora Bora, is an incomparable lagoon with every shade  of  blue imaginable. The one main pass of Te Avanui is large enough to accommodate the passage of larger vessels. It is also now the final pass in the world famous Hawaiki Nui three day marathon outrigger canoe race.
The lagoons of Bora Bora are virtually a canoeing paradise.The last World Outrigger Sprint Championships were held there in March of 2002.
Paddlers from around the Pacific Region and from as far away as Italy came to pit their skills against each other and the Tahitian's in their home waters.
Bora Bora was once famous for its fleet  of sleek lagoon sailing outrigger canoes. Unfortunately, that fleet  dwindled down to only  two sailing canoes. Both owned by the Hotel Bora Bora. When we were there for the races in March we found one on display and the other still occasionally used to take out tourists.
Mike Spaulding and I saw the sailing canoes and were just itching for a sail. However, when ever we approached the Tahitian's who were suppose to be running the sailing canoes we were told that it was either to windy or the currents were to strong.
Having both crossed the wildest channels in Hawaii in sailing canoes (in some outrageous conditions) every day we were on Bora Bora the lagoons looked like the perfect conditions for us.
 

For me the hardest part of being in Bora Bora for the World Sprints in March was not being able to sail an outrigger.

I had even brought down  a sail to try set up on a canoe but we were so busy with the race schedule that sailing just never happened.
So, in spite of leaving Tahiti with a gold metal paddling on Nappy's V6 Veterans Men Crew, I left feeling unfulfilled and with a dream to return and fly across those lagoons in a sailing canoe.
That dream was soon to turn into an unexpected reality!
Several months after returning to Hawaii and then to Lake Tahoe where I am building the Holopuni paddling and sailing outrigger canoes, I received a static  cell phone call from Tahiti.
I heard the voice on the say something in a strong French accent about canoes. I replied that I could barley make out what he was saying.
He said, "Pardon, hold on a minute". When he spoke again it was much clearer. I asked him what happened and he told me he had just climbed a bit higher on the tallest coconut tree on his motu....that always made for better reception.
This began my friendship with Stephan Lambert. Stephan is originally from France where his dad was once a very successful tennis pro. Stephan went to University there and was also a successful tennis player. He even helped coach at the University of San Diego.
But for Stephan the lure of the tropics was to much.
He had visited Hawaii, paddled, surfed and sailed but it was a visit to Tahiti that set the course for his life as it is today.
Stephan now lives  on a small motu on the fringing reef of the Bora Bora lagoon.
He has a beautiful Tahitian wife, one handsome son, no electricity or running water, a palm thatched roof, several one man canoes, surf boards, a fleet of jet skis and MTV's that he operates from the nearby Meridian Hotel as his own beach concession.



He also now is the proud owner of the first Holopuni Outrigger Sailing canoe in French Polynesia.
Stephan's passion is outrigger canoes.
He has paddled and coached crews who have participated in local races as well as in  the Hawaiki Nui Marathon.

Although his jet ski concession is booming Stephan wanted his clients to be able to enjoy the tranquil Bora Bora lagoons in a more peaceful and traditional fashion.
This ment only one way (to both of us)- an outrigger sailing canoe.
After many trips up the " coconut wireless"  tree to consult on getting the canoe to Tahiti, arrangements were finally consummated and the canoe arrived on Bora Bora shortly after Christmas.
I had promised Stephan that I would come down as soon as I could after Christmas to help him set it up and to teach him how to steer and sail.
On Jan 21 I arrived in Papeete and  boarded the small Air Tahiti plane for a 45 minute flight to Bora Bora.
Joining me was Va'a Bob.
Bob Brosious is another story...left Wisconsin after college...wanted to see the sea...went to California...worked on boats...got the bug...bought a sail boat...set out for Australia. In the mid sixties Bob sailed into Opunohu Bay on the island of Moorea.
That is as far as he ever sailed. He set anchor. He now has a  Tahitian wife, several wonderful kids of his own, and a whole slew of "hanai" (adopted and foster kids)  that  he and his wife Meme have taken in.
Bob runs the very successful  "Fiberglass Polynesie" . It is a fiberglass shop in the middle of a cow pasture, at the foot of a cliff, in the base of the fiord like Opunohu Bay.
 Bob builds small Tahitian style lagoon fishing canoes for both locals and hotels, a huge 40' outboard engine powered sight seeing outrigger and the most comfortable beach and pool side lounging chairs on this planet.
I first meet Bob over 30 years ago when I was also sailing in Tahiti. We have become the best of friends bound by a love of the ocean, the islands of Polynesie Francaise and most of all by outrigger canoes.
The airstrip on Bora Bora is built on Mute motu. An island on the fringing  reef. Passengers must get off the plane and board a "shuttle" boat which takes them across the lagoon to Vaitape on the main island.
We were met by at the air strip by Stephan, his wife who had made Tiare leis for us and his young son. We grabbed my surfboard bag which was loaded with sailing canoe steering paddles, paddling i'ako, and assorted spare parts for Stephan's sailing canoe.
Stephan had driven his "work" vehicle to pick us up.
A 35' flat bottom , outboard powered outrigger canoe that turned out to be an early Va'a Bob model.
We sped across the lagoon towards Stephan's private island. The water was smooth, the wind blew up the lagoon from the south and the colors beneath us blended from deep blues to pastels lighter than the color of the sky.
I was totally unprepared for what began to appear before us.
We approached a flat island on the reef covered with coconut trees. One stood taller than the rest which I was informed was the "phone tree".
A small white sand beach fringed the lagoon side of the island.
Soon several palm thatched buildings set back among the coconut grove came into view. As we sped closer I could make out the shape of a fully rigged Holopuni Sailing Canoe sitting on the beach ready to go.
I looked at Stephan and he smiled. "Just ready and waiting for you," he said.
We pulled up into the shallow sandy cove in about one foot of water, set  an anchor, unloaded our gear and got ready for the first of many exciting sails aboard the Holopuni.
In less than an hour Stephan had acquainted us with the lay out on his motu.  The side of the island facing the open ocean and exposed to the barrier reef directly faced the islands of Taha'a and Raiatea.
His three main bungalows along with some smaller storage sheds were on the lee side of the island fronting the calm lagoon.
They all had  a beautiful view of the mountain peaks of Bora Bora about a mile across the lagoon.
The highest point of land on the motu was about 3 to four feet above sea level. His fresh water supply came from what he managed to catch as run off from his roofs.
Drinking water was brought over in big bottles on his big canoe from the main island.
The Hotel Meridian, where he ran his main tour operations from was less than a mile south. The hotel also was built on a motu and featured a man made lagoon and very pricey over water bungalows. Stephan informed us that most of the motus which are currently undeveloped have been recently purchased by developers and plans are moving ahead for major resorts to be built.

I shuddered at the thought. At least I was here one step of the onslaught.
My thoughts drifted back to my first canoe voyages along the coasts of Hawaii, Maui, West Oahu and Kauai. I was fortunate enough to have been able to camp alone on beaches now that host huge hotels, golf courses and private estates  prominently bedecked with no trespassing  signs. My good friend, Jan Tenbruggengate, now a seasoned paddler and canoe sailor himself, helped to chronical these adventures in the Honolulu Advertiser.
It didn't take us long to show Stephan how to set up the new Holopuni fast rig sail.
A free standing carbon fiber mast with a sleeved 100 sq.. ft. sail and carbon fiber boom with an internal out haul  makes setting up and sailing the new Holopuni canoes fast, simple and safe.
This was the first time for this new canoe to to sail in Tahitian waters. Stephan had named this canoe Kai Nalu after his son. He and his wife asked for a blessing of the canoe before we launched it.
We had a short blessing and I shared with them a verse from Psalms 139 Verses  9 & 10.
I always read and share this before going out to sea on any canoe voyage.
If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me.

We thanked the Lord for the beauty of his creation and asked for his blessings and protection on all who would sail aboard Kai Nalu.
Then, bedecked with the fragrant Tiare lei, Kai Nalu was slid into the lagoon. We paddled for the deeper water and a wind line not far from shore.
Stephan was first to get up on the tramp. It was to be a learning experience for him to see how a canoe was sailed. I wanted him to understand and learn about the wind and how it affected the canoe in all points (directions into and away from the wind) of sail. He also quickly learned basic sailing terminology such as port, starboard, tacking, jibing coming about, pointing, running and  reaching.
Stephan was a fast and eager learner and I knew that my time as a steersman would soon have to be turned over to him.
One of my biggest joys is teaching some one how to sail and steer an outrigger. When they first take the paddle and control of the canoe and start sailing in circles it is hard to not over correct them with instruction. They have the knowledge in their head but now just need the experience of steering for them selves.
Stephan was a very fast learner. But even after a few days we still did a few 360's and unintentional jibes. We kidded him that he was just intentionally giving us a seaman's tour of the lagoon.
For a week we sailed almost all day.
I was now comfortable just riding the tramp while Stephan began sailing straighter and managing the sail as well as steering.
We explored the lagoon and the surrounding sites. Soon Stephan became sufficiently competent and confident to sail up to the beach of the Hotel Meridian.
The beach was lined with jet skis, roto-molded kayaks, a few small catamarans and a couple of Bob's fishing canoes.
The Kai Nalu looked absolutely beautiful and right at home on the beach.
We took some of the beach boys for rides and their eyes grew as wide as their smiles as we screamed across the lagoon flying both ama hulls.
I left Stephan for awhile and went back to Moorea for a few days with Bob and his family.
Bob was now so stoked on canoe sailing that we rigged up one of his small fishing canoes with some ama's and a wind surfer sail that I had taken to Tahiti to canoe sail with over 20 years ago. The mushrooms had made a home in the ama hulls and the rats had feasted on the sail. But we managed to resurrect both and soon we had launched the "Opunohu Outrigger Sailing Canoe Naval Fleet".
Armed with one of Bob's famous guava cannons we had no fear of being invaded by Saddam's fleet of terrorists should they decide to invade the tranquil waters of Moorea.
I returned to Bora Bora to help sort out some rigging problems and for one last sail with Stephan before leaving Tahiti.
My last sail the night before I departed was perhaps the most memorable and exciting sailing experience that I have ever had.

Stephan was unable to go as he was taking care of his son while his wife we away visiting her family on Moorea.
The afternoon of my final day of sailing was incredible.
The trades winds were blowing a steady 25 -30 knots.
The open ocean now had some big waves and wind swells but these were broken up by the outer lagoon reef. In side the lagoon the water remained fairly flat yet the winds did not drop in speed.
I took the canoe out alone and was able to steer as well as work the main sheet from the middle seat of the canoe. I flew back and forth across the lagoon as fast as I had ever been in a canoe. When the winds picked up a notch I was able to (reef) furl the sail  by my self.
The canoe was going so fast that it was literally humming. I had never been able to sail in such strong winds in flat water conditions.
As I sailed closer to the motus on the outer reef the water was even smoother. The coconut trees filtered the wind that was blowing directly across the motus into the lagoon.
I sailed alone for nearly 4 hours. The colors were constantly changing as the sun moved over head the blues of the lagoon became to incredibly beautiful to describe.
I sailed on and on until finally  a sunset  the sky on fire. I could see the bottom no more.
It was time to return to the beach or risk hitting  coral heads that I could no longer see.
That last evening Stephan shared with me his dream of bringing kids and even adults to his island to give them the opportunity to learn how to paddle, sail and live off the land and sea.
I am sure this will become a reality. I can think of no better place for it to happen.

Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association
44-519A Kaneohe Bay Drive
Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
(808) 247-3559