Free Day for ORPC Paddlers

Today was a free day for our paddlers who participated in a variety of activites around the island including, sun tanning, visiting Hilo on the wet side of the island, paddling with dolphins, snorkeling, diving, stgand up paddle boarding and hiking to the green sand beach among other activities.  Here are a few pictures of some of the sites and adventures.

Relaxing after long day in Kona

Relaxing in the pool and pool-side after a long day of work and play in Kona.  Temperatures are as high as 90 degrees which is about four degrees above normal for this time of year.   

Spending the evening in the cabana listening to Hawaiian music and discussing the days activities and just enjoying each others company.

Paddler Wounded in Action

Women's stern Vivian Thomas received 23 staple stiches today after not only being attacked by a fishing hook but also, in the process of trying to remove it, cutting her leg on some sharp lava rocks as her team was trying to dock their boat.   The doctors say she will still be able to steer her team to glory on Saturday.

First Practice at the Keauhou Canoe Club

Pictures taken from our first day of practice at the Keauhou Canoe Club.  Three of the canoes had just returned from a race on the windward coast and had to be re-rigged using the traditional rope rigging fashion.   Dave Schweter and Lyse Bugeaud watching the rigging process intently.
 

Emma Beckwith our youngest paddler at only sixteen holding the canoe down during the launch at Keauhou Bay

Womens crew heading out for practice.  Marianne, Pilon, Lyse Bugeaud, Elaine Roberts, Jodie Donaldson, Mariola Jarosz, and Emma Beckwith.

Vivian Thomas, Todd Ayotte and Erik Ages helping to rigg a canoe using tradition rope methods.

Men's crew Paul Pilon, Jordan Pilon, Erik Ages, Todd Ayotte, James Hill and Paul Shrimpton heading out during their first practice at the Keauhou Canoe Club.

Mens crew on the water.  Jordan Pilon, Erik Ages, Todd Ayotte and James Hill

Womens crew, Cindy Wright, Holly Murray, Katie Dragert, Susan Simmons, Jenny Olson and Karrie out on the water during their first practice.

Breakfast in Seattle

Some of team having breakfast at the food court at the Seattle airport while waiting for our flight to Kona.

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Location:International Blvd,SeaTac,United States

Victoria Airport

ORPC @ YYJ heading to KOA about 5:30 AM


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36 Paddles Ready for the Trip to Kona!

Our 36 paddles are secure in hard-sided cases and ready for the trip to Kona in less than 24 hours. Thank you Helen Currey for the loan of your case!

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One week countdown to Kona!

The Queen Lili crews are in their final week of pre-competition training before heading to Kona next Monday.   This weekend we completed our final 20km race simulation (four 5-km loops from V21 to Esquimalt Harbour).  In Kona we will be training at the Keauhou Canoe Club who have kindly offered to loan us canoes to practice in the local Hawaiian waters before the big race.  The club is located in the historic Keauhou Bay just a few miles south of the Ohana Retreat where the team will be staying.

We will be updating this blog more frequently once we leave Victoria next Monday so don't forget to check back regularly to monitor your favourite team's progress.

Off to Kona in 13 Days!

In thirteen days, the Ocean River Competitive Outrigger Team is off to Kona Hawaii to compete in the 40th annual Queen Lili outrigger race.  The 30-member team leaves Victoria on August 29th.  We will be staying at the Ohana Retreat (also known as The Kona Plantation) which is located on a 5-acre fruit plantation just south of Kona where we will be acclimatizing and training for several days before completing the grueling 30km race along the Kona coast on September 3rd.