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Paddling 101: The Canoe
In it's earliest times, the canoe (also called Va'a or Wa'a) was made from trees (usually the Koa) and should still be treated as a living being. In Polynesian Culture they preserve this by blessing the tree Koa canoes are carved from. When the canoe first enters the water, there is also a blessing and offering made so that the canoe and paddlers have safe journeys. Today canoes are molded fiberglass and include OC-1, OC-2, OC-4 and OC-6. We too have general "rules" or understanding that we would like you to have knowledge of. We begin each practice with the Pule (or prayer), as a team we all go to help bring the canoe to the water. When we call for all hands on the canoe, we would like everyone to help. We lift the canoe from one end and while supporting the ama, we use a cradle or dolly to support the middle of the canoe (near seat 6). We take the canoe to the water and again need all hands on the canoe to bring it gently into the water while removing the dolly. The Canoe. the Hull-Main Body of the canoe, Iako: Curved wooden beam that supports the ama, Ama: is the outrigger. Gunnels: Run on the long way (from front to back) on both sides of the canoe (the rails or sides) Seat 1: Stroker-Keeps the pace, should be equal on both sides and be able to know strokes per minute. Also informs steersperson if anything is directly in front to avoid collisions Seat 2:Paddles the Opposite side of Seat 1 and must be able to keep pace, timing is critical!! Sometimes Calls the "Huts" Seat 3: Power Seat, Follows Seat one, Sometimes Calls the "Huts" Seat 4: Power Seat, Follows Seat two, Watches the Ama in Rough water. Sometimes Calls the "Huts" Seat 5: Power Seat, Follows Seat 3, Will sometimes be asked to help the steersperson Seat 6: Steersperson- Listen to this person!!! Entering the canoe: if the canoe is not up against the dock, we will always enter and exit from the ama side. This help preventing from huli (or flipping). Also, we try not to step on the seats as this may damage them, please try to step over the seats. Bring your water!!! Listed to our steersperson as they are the instructor to the canoe. It is ok to encourage the paddler in front of you or communicate the steerspersons commands. Stay positive!!! Please refrain from swearing!! Seats alternate position and change over when the 'hut' 'hoe' is called. Usually seat 3 will count strokes to themselves 1, 2....12, 13, Hut, Hoe. after the Hoe, you change to the opposite side. Sometimes to work on timing Seats 1 and 2 may be on the same side and 3 and 4 on the opposite side or all 6 may paddle on one side (remember to stay centered!!!) Exiting the canoe: Again exit the ama side. Seats 2 and 4 should lean on the iakos to help ensure no Huli!! Stay with your crew until they all get out. This is the time for high fives and "good job". Huli!!!! If you huli, stay calm as you come up to the surface keep your hands above you so you don't hit your head on anything. Once you reach the surface, the Steersperson will ask you to count off "Seat 1", "Seat 2", etc. Now we must collect paddles and pass them to one person (usually seat 5). Now seats 3 and 4 will duck under the canoe, reach over, grab the iakos and pull the canoe over. As they pull seats 3 and 5 will push the ama up and over. Seat 1 and 6 will hold on the the nose and rear of the canoe. Seats 2 and 5 should hold the ama down as to not huli again. Seats 3 and 4 (or sometimes the 2 lightest paddlers) pull themselves into the canoe and start bailing as fast as they can (bail to the ama side!!!) as the canoe maybe 1/2-3/4 full of water. Variations of this technique exist and are club dependant. Critical to call off, gather paddles and upright the canoe safely. General Rules: Have Fun, be respectful or the canoe and fellow paddlers!!!! No bananas in the canoe (believed to be bad luck) No swearing Stay positive 6 as 1 attitude!!
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