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Practice Sessions and Equipment

Q. What should I bring to practice?

A. A lot depends on your individual preferences, however, there are some basics you should think about:

PADDLE: Of course, you need your paddle. This assumes that your commitment to the sport is such that you have purchased your own "blade."

DRINK: Many paddlers like to bring a small bottle of water or sports drink to carry with them in the boat.

HEADBAND: Bring a headband, hairband, or hat of some sort to keep your hair out of your face.

A DRY T-SHIRT: It's up to you, but having a dry towel and a T-shirt or sweatshirt to put on after practice will be more comfortable for you.

SUNSCREEN: You really do need to protect yourself from the sun—especially on race day at the beach and any daytime practices. Don't worry about it during weekday evening practices.

NEOPRENE: You'll see a lot of paddlers wearing neoprene (wet suit material) shorts. Neoprene is popular with paddlers because it cushions the hard seats of the canoe and minimizes chafing.

Seat Jobs

What is the main responsibility of Seat 1? set the pace/stroke

What is the main responsibility of Seat 2? call changes

What are the main responsibilities of Seats 3, 4 and 5? power the boat

What is the main responsibility of Seat 6? steer

What are the additional responsibilities of Seats 2 and 4? watch the 'iako

What are the additional responsibilities of Seat 1? maintain a good "feel" for the movement (glide) of the canoe and adjust the pace accordingly.

What are the additional responsibilities of Seats 3 and 5? steady the canoe

What are the additional responsibilities of Seat 6? keep the crew in time and focused

Check Your Equipment!

Once the canoe is in the water, do a visual and physical inspection of the rope riggings to make sure they are tight. Try to wet the rigging so the ropes will contract and get tight.

If you find your rigging is loose at all, notify your steersman who will notify your coach.

Each crew is also responsible to check to see that they have bailers in the boat before leaving shore. Tie at least one bailer to a rope on one of the 'iako.

After practice is finished and the boats are returned to the dock, crews should take turns rinsing the canoes (and especially the rigging) with fresh water (use the hoses at the dock).

If any of the canoes need rigging before practice, all paddlers should help. If you do not know how to rig, watch, learn, ask questions, and try it the next time.

On the Water

Common Commands

When the steersman calls "UNI," the person in seat 1 holds the paddle against the RIGHT side of the canoe—creating resistance on the right side of the boat. This action will move the nose of the canoe to the left. All other paddlers should paddle normally.

What does the command "KAHE LEFT" mean? Seats 1 and 2 pull canoe to the left

When should you "KAHE RIGHT" NEVER (Note, if your steersman wants help moving the boat to the right, seat 1 may "Uni Left," which moves the nose to the right.)

When you hear "PADDLES UP" you should: lift paddle to "set" position.

(Some steerspersons may call "READY OARS," "Ho'omakaukau," "Ready All," or just "SET.")

To "HOLD WATER" you put your paddle in the water and hold it there to stop the canoe.

You usually "BACK PADDLE" to park the canoe or maneuver into position.

Your steersman will call "TIMING" when paddlers are not pulling together.

Racing Turn (Left Turn)

As you approach the flag/buoy:

Steersman will call "TURN COMING UP."

NUMBER 2 SEAT make sure to call change to put yourself on the LEFT (Number 1 on the right).

Steersman will call "UNI" (poke hard on the side of the canoe).

NUMBER 1 SEAT poke blade in on the right and kick water to initiate left turn.

NUMBERS 2, 3, 4, 5 paddle hard.

Steersman will call "OVER" (maintain left poke).

NUMBER 1 and 2 SEATS will kahe left.

NUMBERS 3, 4, 5 keep time, but do not "power."

(Some steersmen will call "KAHE" for this command.)

Steersman will call "STRAIGHT OUT."

NUMBERS 1 and 2 paddle forward (both on the left now).

NUMBER 2 call an immediate change in which all paddlers change sides, except NUMBER 1.

NUMBER 2 then count an 8-count and call change again (short call).

Huli

In Hawaiian, the word huli means to turn over.

Here are the general instructions on what to do if you huli your canoe:

a.. First and foremost, count heads!
b.. Then remember, DON'T PANIC. Your boat will float just at the surface for a little while at least.
c.. Move your nose or tail into the swell.

Each seat has a specific assignment when a boat hulis. They are as follows:
a.. Seats 1 & 6 help maneuver the canoe into the swell
b.. Seat 5 collects the paddles
c.. Seat 3 takes position under the 'iako, then pushes the 'iako to help turn the canoe over
d.. Seats 2 and 4 position themselves in the middle of the canoe on the side opposite the 'iako to help pull the boat over

When you have turned the boat over, the smallest or lightest person gets in to start bailing. Others should take turns jumping in to relieve the paddler bailing. When jumping out make sure it is on the left side.

Everyone not at the tail or nose should be on the left side of the canoe to prevent it from huli-ing once again. Another person can grab another bailer and bail from the side of the canoe. Routinely count heads and check on paddlers conditions to ensure all get back into the boat when your steersman tells you to.

During any race, you should plan to right the boat, bail and get restarted as fast as you can unless the official boat tells you otherwise. Always plan to finish the race!

All WYC paddlers must pass certain safety requirements and know what to do in the event of a canoe Huli. Read and be familiar with the above informaion.

Staph Infection

At most times, the Yacht Harbor at Magic Island has good water. However, after a heavy rain the runoff from town literally flushes the Ala Wai Canal into the yacht basin and our site is polluted. Also, on days when wind or sea conditions make it unsafe to practice on the ocean, your coach may decide to work out on the Ala Wai Canal. At these times you must be careful of staph infection.

According to Dr. Ben Tamura, head of medicine at Kaiser Honolulu and a long-time paddler and kayak enthusiast, staph begins as one or more tiny red sores or pimples, especially at the pant or bra line, although they can appear anywhere.

Some paddlers will pass this off as a friction rash from rubbing against the seat or side of the canoe. It is really the staph bacteria infecting the pores of the skin.

To prevent the infection from spreading deeper into the layers of skin, or even into the muscle, it is important to wash immediately after your practice and to change into loose-fitting clothing. If a staph infection does start, treat it with over-the-counter anti-bacterial creams.

According to Dr. Tamura, most people's immune systems will fight off the staph bacteria. Sometimes, however, the infection takes off and the "pimple" or "rash" will become swollen and painful. The center of the infection may even become blackish in color and the infection may spread into the muscle tissue.

If the infection progresses to this stage, it is critical that you seek medical attention immediately.

As amateur athletes, many paddlers treat small irritations like a minor rash as something to ignore. More than one paddler has missed an important race or even an entire paddling season because of a staph infection.