Keiki program puts Kīkaha’s future in its youngest paddlers
It’s easy to see the future of Kīkaha O Ke Kai. Just take a moment to watch the club’s keiki paddlers.
Kīkaha’s keiki program has taught and inspired youth paddlers for nearly 30 years, and some of them, grown now, are bringing their own children to paddle, said Jill Sullivan, who oversees the program with Vance Bader.
“The current lifetime members had their keikis in the program and now those keikis are grown and their sons and daughters are racing with Kīkaha,” Sullivan said.
The keiki season starts in April and runs through mid June, with paddlers primarily racing in the sprint regatta season. Paddlers need to be at least 5 and be able to reach the water with a paddle from the seat of an OC6, Sullivan said. There are two basic age groups: keiki 5-12 and juniors 13-19. In recent years, the program has had about 30 paddlers.
“We race all sprints with the keikis and juniors race sprints and can opt into a longer season and race short course or long course if they have trained for it during the distance season,” Sullivan said. “We practice two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday right before the adult practice, with an option for juniors to practice with adults on Saturdays.”
Sullivan started helping with the keiki program in 2017 when her son Liam was old enough to paddle. Four years later, her daughter joined.
“I wanted my kids to learn a sport I loved and I figured if I could get most of my family paddling, I’d have more chances to keep racing as well,” said Sullivan, who added that she loves to teach.
“I’ve had some good coaching, so I want to pass on good technique while paddlers are teachable,” she said. “I want to keep my kids on the water and I love working with Coach Vance. He has a real heart for kids and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.”
Everyone pitches in, Sullivan said.
“We’ve had so many parents helping and wanting to get in the boat to steer or assist with canoes in and out of the water or providing snacks and wrangling all the paddles and lifejackets,” she said.
Safety is a big part of the keiki program.
“Every year we highly suggest the kids go through the huli practice,” Sullivan said. “We follow more conservative precautions for the weather than the adults. We require life jackets and have an adult steer. We try to use a double hull in the beginning for balance and have occasionally had an adult sit on the ama to keep it weighed down. We train all the kids in proper canoe and paddle safety and do not leave a keiki on the dock without supervision.”
And of course, everyone has a lot of fun, she said.
“Keep sending your keikis,” Sullivan said. “They have a great time.”
If you, or someone you know, wants to get a child involved in the keiki program, email Kīkaha at kikaha.info@gmail.com.
New for 2025 season: Kīkaha booster membership
There’s a large group of folks who love the sport of outrigger canoe paddling, Hawaiian culture and Kīkaha O Ke Kai, but for a variety of reasons chose not to paddle. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much of a membership option for them – until now.
For the 2025 season, Kīkaha is welcoming non-paddling members through its new Kīkaha Booster membership. Our boosters will be led by Auntie Myrna Stewart.
For $25, booster members have calendar access, TeamSnap access, booster emails and sign-up options for events. They will be informed of club gatherings, races and events we plan to share with the community. When we race, they will be welcomed at Camp Kīkaha to share in the ono potluck goodies and conversation.
If you’re interested, click here to join.
Big mahalo to Nordlund for help with refurbishing canoes
The refurbishing of Kīkaha’s three spec canoes prior to the start of the 2025 season owes a big mahalo to Nordlund Boat Company, a club sponsor since 2023.
Nordlund helped facilitate the gel coat spraying, which turned Nai‘a O Ke Kai, Kalenakai and Manu into gleaming, white canoes.
The boat company has a long history in Tacoma. For more than 60 years, the Nordlund family cultivated their business into a regional icon that’s known for its commitment to craftsmanship and quality, said Kylie Lensegrav, director of marketing for the company.
“Nordlund Boat Company is a full service shipyard in Tacoma that builds, repairs, services, and modifies boats for people who expect the best,” Lensegrav said. “Founded in 1958 by Norm and Phyllis Nordlund, the company initially repaired ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II.”
In 2021, the company added full service shipyard skills to its boat building operation. Nordlund now offers custom work, engine replacement, keel replacement and full paint jobs.
“Today, we primarily service vessels 35 feet and larger, offering every resource and facility necessary to bring a vision to life, whether it’s on a new build or an existing boat,” Lensegrav said. “Whether you’re in need of regular maintenance, a boat refit, or a completely custom build, Nordlund Boat Company is the place for all boating needs.”
Da Kīkaha Korner
Who dat?
Paddlers: René and Reema Tovar
Years paddling canoes: René over a dozen years and Reema a few years at a leisurely pace. They have paddled canoes, row boats, kayaks and their Huki VA-2.
Years with Kīkaha: This is René’s seventh and Reema’s first.
Favorite race for René: RATI, Manu Baker Sprints and Da Grind Iron Race in Seattle.
Favorite paddling experience: “The Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race in 2022 in the relay race with our Kīkaha kupuna men against the Tahitian Talifit open men,” Rene says. “At least we got a ‘Silver Medal’ out of two teams racing! I also had the opportunity to race Seat 3 and our Auntie Fay Tong (same hull) was in Seat 1 in the Queen’s double-hull race with team Tamalpais OCC from Sausalito, CA, that same year. Reema and I were supposed to be on vacation during that Labor Day week.”
Why paddling? They love being on or near the water and say grounding is so important.
Best club advice you ever received: Breathe and timing
Paddler: CD Lauritsen
Paddling division: “I’m 54, but I’ll paddle with anyone willing to take me.”
Club activity: “My main role in the club is being Dash’s dad. And, oh yeah, you can find me in a boat when I’m in town, usually sitting in seat three or four.”
Years paddling canoes: “I paddled in 2006 and 2007 for a club in Hawaii. I picked up the paddle again after a nudge from Dash. Honestly, it became the perfect chance for us to share something together that we both love. So, including my brief stint in Hawaii and the season with Kīkaha, I’ve been paddling for three years.”
Years with Kīkaha: “One season. Can’t wait for this year!”
Favorite race: “Winning my first race would be the easy answer, but that’s too easy. Honestly, racing on the mixed team last year at Alki Beach. We won, which was extremely awesome, but I have never felt as elated because I won with a team that was more like family than just teammates.”
Favorite paddling experience: “The first time I was in a canoe with my son, Dash. I had seen him paddle for years, but that was from the shore and incredibly disconnected. Getting in the canoe and seeing him from that perspective made me even more proud of him.”
Why paddling: “So many reasons. Like I said, Dash gave me a little nudge. I was tentative because I hadn’t paddled in almost 20 years, but he made good arguments, and I pulled the cobwebs off my paddle. That was the best nudge I’ve ever received. Being a part of a team of like-minded people who treat each other like family is wonderful. Also, Kīkaha: is a slice of Hawaii in the PNW, so it feels like home.”
Best club advice you’ve ever received: Power doesn’t matter if your timing is off.
Paddler: Dash Lauritsen
Paddling division: Junior
Years paddling: Two
Years with Kīkaha: One
Favorite race: “My favorite race was the first one I ever participated in formally. This was at Hui Nalu back in Hawaii. It was also the day we were moving to Washington. The race was exhilarating. All nervousness, energy, and internal pressure was left behind, dragged away by the speed, intensity, and unity of the boat’s speed. We were a team in the moment. Once the group was finished with the sprint (got first place), we went back to shore, took pictures, got pats on the back, etc. My mom and brother came over and told me that we had to go. Goodbyes were said to everyone, and I thanked them for having me and left for the airport. I put my paddle in my bag and took it to bag checkout when we got there. I feel simultaneously disappointed and grateful for the race happening so close to the move. Disappointed because that race showed me what it felt was being left behind: friends, family, almost an identity. Grateful because taking that paddle with me on that flight was me taking that identity, that piece, to a new place to explore and grow. It symbolized the pivotal moment to remember for the rest of my life.”
Favorite paddling experience: “Separate from the races, that one time we huli’d in practice. It was a great team experience to laugh off. Also, after heating up in practice, it felt nice to freshen and quicken the blood. Made you feel alive.”
Why paddle? “Great community. It has always been welcoming, friendly, and competitive. An excellent place to grow into. Constantly full of smiles. Outlet for physical energy. Release any anger, frustration and nervous energy and leave it on the water. Transfer and give that energy back to the water and canoe. Vehicle of mindfulness. In practice and in a race, you are in a boat being propelled forward by six people that must constantly maintain rate and persistence. There is no time to second guess, be nervous, or stuck in your head. It forces a person out of their comfort zone and into the real world, to have real experiences that grow you as a person.”
Best paddling advice you ever received: “Timing is more important than power. It doesn’t matter how strong your legs are if you collide one leg into the other while walking. The same goes for paddling. The blade must enter the water and exit at the same time for optimal speed. This practice emphasizes unity and togetherness.”
And now, for a little paddling homework
No one really likes homework, but this assignment will make you a better paddler. Your Kīkaha coaches suggest you use an old piece of rubber tire tubing, which you can get from the club, and use it to create tension on your paddle for a land drill you can do at home. Tie one end of the rubber tube to a fixed object and run the other end up the bottom of a paddle blade to a spot on the shaft that you would normally grab. Then, hold your paddle as if you were in a boat and practice the stroke, focusing on how it feels at the catch. Instead of a paddle, you can also use a dowel or an old broomstick. Mahalo to Nellie Bell for demonstrating.
Talk Story seeks to cultivate a strong, unified identity for Kīkaha O Ke Kai, reflecting the spirit of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling. It is dedicated to sharing club news and managing information promptly. It aims to provide members and supporters with a newsletter that enhances their connection to the club and represents our shared values on and off the water. You can contact us at kikaha.info@gmail.com.