Here’s the last part…

Last week I had another race. This one was 32 miles, from Hawaii Kai to Nanakuli (past Ko’Olina on the west side). I didn’t have very much rest. So, I’m guessing I did about 25 of those miles. The girls change in and out of the boat during the race… while the boat is moving. You can’t drag your legs when you climb in or you will slow your team down. Miss the boat completely, and you REALLY slow your team down. I never did a change before this race. My coach showed me a video on “You Tube” and told me to “do what they do” and “whatever you do – DON’T miss the boat”. Needless to say, I was a little nervous for my first change. But, thank God I did not miss the boat. It was my first distance race and a great experience. Our club came in 3rd, 10th, and I don’t know what the other two places we got were. There were about 25 canoes racing in this one (maybe more).

I don’t know how many deaf outrigger canoe paddlers there are out there. If there are more out there, I’d really like to meet them. In these canoes, we alternate which side we paddle on. But, when we change which side we paddle on, the girl sitting in the second seat yells, “HUT!”. My crew team has incorporated a stomp on the bottom of the boat with the “HUT”. I can feel the stomp, the other girls hear the “HUT”.

We have another huge long distance race coming up. I didn’t think I would make crew for any of the races this long distance season. I missed half the season with the honeymoon and wedding stuff. I only went to two practices before last week’s race. But, surprise, surprise. I just will be racing the Na Wahine O Ke Kai after all! That’s the women’s version of the men’s “Molokai Hoe”. We race from Molokai all the way back to Oahu.

Since we moved to Hawaii, Paul has really gotten into Spearfishing. Who says deafness has to be barrier? Paul used his deafness and fluency in ASL with his dive buddies above and under the water. In circumstances like this (read below)… would YOU want to be caught without language under the water? Paul gives a couple of examples in his story below…. but nothing here really needs a detailed explanation.

Haole Tourist Diving/Watching on the North Shore! Not For the Weak
So I was bored yesterday…

Hi all…

It’s been a while, but we’ve been BUSY!!! We’re so glad that most everyone was able to come to our wedding. I’m sending some pictures that I’m betting you don’t have.

As you may already know, I had a big race the day I flew to California. I didn’t think I would be able to race at all. But, it was the state championships… and since I made crew, how could I not race? The race was at 11am and my flight left at 1pm. We dropped off all my stuff at the airport and then went to the race. The Waikiki Beach Boys Canoe Club came in 1st and 7th (out of 14).