Marianas Outrigger Club members pose for a group picture.
MARIANAS Outrigger Club President Tim Asaivo said they will send teams paddling across the Saipan-Tinian Channel and will also conduct a youth paddling workshop at Tachogna Beach on May 4.
In an interview on Monday, April 22, Asaivo said these events will provide their members with training experience while developing the Tinian youth’s paddling ability.
Asaivo said he has done the Saipan-Tinian Channel crossing in the past and wants to use this forthcoming opportunity to build the camaraderie of his team.
“That experience alone, you learn a lot about yourself — it’s a great team-bonding experience,” he added.
Asaivo said the teams will use a six-seat Hawaiian va’a and depart Kilili Beach at 5:30 a.m. on May 4. Their paddling trip will take them around two hours and 20 minutes to complete, he said.
They will have two motorized chase boats sticking close to each crew. The chase boats will have seven alternate paddlers aboard and enough safety jackets for everyone.
The alternate crews will perform a “water change” about 10 miles into the paddle. Asaivo said the alternate crew members will switch with the paddlers who began the channel crossing. The crew that switched will then be brought aboard the chase boat.
Asaivo said the crews routinely train distance paddlers inside the Saipan Lagoon and outside the reef.
He said they have practiced “huli” or capsize drills as a safety precaution.
He expects the canoes to perform well in favorable conditions.
“These new canoes are engineered a little differently,” he said. “They cut through the water very well, they handle rough water very well. In the swell you can cut right through.”
Club secretary Bonny Grow is looking forward to experiencing a channel crossing.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to the long paddle,” she said. “I look forward to acknowledging my strength and the strength of our team. I look forward to moments of gratitude for my God with every stroke for my body and mind. I look forward to being embraced by nature and all its energy to propel us forward. I’m nervous but more excited than anything!”
She is also looking forward to exchanging knowledge and stories with Tinian youth.
When the club members land on Tachogna Beach, Asaivo said the crew will recuperate and then prepare for the youth workshop, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with limited slots available. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/Tinian-Paddling-Clinic
Participants must be between 13 and 17 years old, and the deadline to register is May 1.
Parents must be present at the workshop to supervise their children.
Asaivo also asked participants to bring towels, sunscreen, hats and water.
He says that plans are in the works for va’a to remain on Tinian and Rota in order for students there to participate in CNMI Public School System canoe races.
