My mind is full of images of bright smiles and of steely strength of those who bravely earned their badges of courage this past Saturday, during the first event of the weekend long ocean celebration, the 5th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a. This entire [...]]]>

THE 5TH ANNUAL OLUKAI HO’OLAULE’A
“FUN PADDLE DIVISION”
May 11, 2013   Maui, Hawaii

My mind is full of images of bright smiles and of steely strength of those who bravely earned their badges of courage this past Saturday, during the first event of the weekend long ocean celebration, the 5th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a. This entire event is truly a global event with competitors from over 10 countries, and 44 attendees from 15 mainland states. (FULL IMAGE GALLERY BELOW)

The Fun Paddle Division is our special group of water sports enthusiasts of all ages, who come with extreme enthusiasm to paddle in or on any watercraft that is humanly powered. There were loads of stand up paddleboards, a few kayaks, outrigger canoes and the incredible OluKai

sailing canoe. For many it was their first “downwind” experience and for others this was the starting ground to start their training for the infamous 8 mile Maliko open ocean course for the following year.

The Paia Youth & Cultural Center has been our gathering place for three years since this division began. They graciously host and welcome our eager paddlers from our local community and visitors from afar. The course is 3 miles and begins in Paia Bay and ends at the Kanaha Beach Park lifeguard tower.

One could see that something very special was about to begin, as the OluKai flags were flying high, and those helping under the OluKai tents were busy greeting and checking in the paddlers. This year the paddlers received official yellow OluKai jerseys that made everyone look like real racers!  They were stoked.

Maui’s beauty shows in many ways, but this weekend was met with imperfect beauty as a two day rain storm and big swells, swayed and rolled the coastline with light winds that offered more challenging conditions than normal for many of our new water warriors.

Water safety was key as it always is for this event as our safety jet skis were throttling in position and our volunteer lifeguards and elite waterman were getting ready to assist the participants on the beach and into the water.

As everyone was asked to gather in the courtyard our special musical guest Mishka sang and played acoustic guitar. This was just a sample of the fabulous line up of musical talent that awaited everyone at the big backyard style BBQ that afternoon.  Performers included Hawaii’s top contemporary musicians: Anuhea, Paula Fuga, Kimie Minor, Mishka, Justin Young, and Ekolu Kalama.

Next up, Matthew Murasko, OluKai’s Hawaii Ambassador reviewed the course map and highlighted the safety points and measures to keep everyone safe.

Then my favorite part of the morning was my pre paddle warm up! It’s my job and pleasure to build everyone’s confidence, pump them up and make them feel empowered and strong from the beginning to finish! I gave out lots of hugs and held hands with a few in the courtyard and at the beach to reassure them and answer any last minute questions.  I shared a few paddling tips on how to manage the big surf and swell. I also had a few fun moves up my sleeve to lessen the nervous jitters and to get everyone’s blood pumping and make them laugh.

With Madelyn as my lovely assistant, the kids lined the front row ready to show their moves and make some noise. I’m not sure what people thought was coming, as we started with a few light active stretches. Then I poured on the heat and expectations.

I promised everyone would be required to drop down and give me 20 pushups if I didn’t think they were loud enough and boy that’s all it took!  Hands behind the head, knees bent, elbows flat as I ordered 10 squats and everyone had to count with me out loud, very loud. I wanted to inflate their lung capacity right here and now!

I went easy on them this year, as then it was time for the gun show. I asked the participants to roll up their jersey sleeves. I wanted to see their guns! (biceps for those of you who may be confused) Then as I demonstrated with my own rifles, I gave each of them a kiss right to left and asked they did the same. They loved it and laughed out loud. Some had some cannons!

Now they were getting loose and fired up! Then, the grand finale before we sent them off, my famous warrior move.  I’m not sure how I got this one started, but it’s a good one and my tradition.  To assume a great warrior’s stance, we stood with feet apart, toes pointed outward, and into a squat position.  With our chests out, arms up with elbows bent, I instructed that for every hop turn into our warrior pose we’d roar with a deep, big chant  “hau”.  This word translates to a mythical Polynesian wind god, which was very appropriate for our downwind paddlers.

Again and again we’d turn left, forward and right, land our feet hard to the earth, arms up, chest out and bellow out our warrior chant, until I felt it was time.  Wow, they were really revved!  Everyone departed the courtyard and headed to the beach.

The helicopter appeared and flew over the crowd as it always does before the start. Everyone was throwing shakas and waiving to the camera crew, as they prepared to launch. This was it.

The board caddies, friends and families of our paddlers helped with paddles, leashes and last minutes hugs. It was an awesome sight and a sea of yellow jerseys.

The fastest paddler would make it in in thirty minutes, others a bit more. The skies were grey but their spirits charged. They were digging in just like I instructed and they did not stop. I was so very proud and excited to see the looks of determination, tenacity and strength as they paddled up and over some pretty good size surf and swell. I’m not sure some even realized what they had just accomplished.

As a SUP coach and trainer I’m able to help some of these paddlers all throughout the year prior to the event. By emails and phone calls and even SKYPE training sessions, I often have people writing me with questions to determine if they are ready for the Fun Paddle Divisionor if they have what it takes yet to paddle out of Maliko. It’s so rewarding to see those that graduate up to the 8 mile event, like Eddie and Judy Shasek from Bend, OR. pictured below preparing their water packs before the 8 mile race.

Eddie and Judy came to Maui last year for the Fun Paddle and came back to Maui a few months after to specifically prepare for Maliko. The waves were too big but they made the best of it and enjoyed practicing on longer racing boards to get the feel and caught a few smaller waves on the West side. They even began writing about their preparation for their journey and wanted to share how they were training and cross training back home. Click here to read their story and see photos. Congrats to you both on an excellent finish!

Everyone deserves great recognition for completing the Fun Paddle. These water warriors earned their stripes that day and displayed their big badges of courage. For some this was the beginning of their right of passage up to the event at Maliko next year.[[Show as slideshow]]

To recap the entire event, the more serious divisions were competing for equal gender prize money of $15,000, SUP and OC1/OC2 (outrigger canoe 1 man/outrigger canoe 2 man). Some of the competitors traveled from 10 countries and throughout the U.S. to compete in the Maliko Downwind run, one of the largest SUP races in the world, which spans 8 miles of infamous open ocean.

The top 3 winners in men’s SUP included Connor Baxter taking 1^st place and Dave Kalama and Kai Lenny taking 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Taking 1^st place in women’s SUP was Andrea Moller, followed by Talia Gangini in 2^nd and Devin Blish in 3^rd.

In men’s OC1/OC2, Kai Bartlett finished 1^st, Manny Kulukulualani 2^nd, and the team of Dave Kalama and Junya McGurn finished 3^rd. The top 3 in the women’s OC1/OC2 race were Lauren Spalding in 1^st, Andrea Moller in 2^nd and Dane Ward in 3^rd. For more information and full results of the SUP race, go to http://live.pseresults.com/e/27#/. For more information on the OC1/OC2 races, go to http://live.pseresults.com/e/28#/.

And continuing with its hands-on approach to giving back, OluKai employees who qualified for travel to Ho’olaule’a by contributing a minimum of 20 hours of local service leading up to the event, wrapped up the weekend at the Maui Cultural Lands Giveback Day.  Local volunteers and OluKai staff traveled to Honokowai Valley, a cultural heritage preservation site to contribute efforts towards reforestation and archeological stabilization projects. 

In closing, Kerry Konrady, Director of OluKai Marketing shared:

“Each year we are inspired by the Ho’olaule’a and how it brings together such incredible people for two days of celebrating Hawaiian culture. From elite paddlers and competitors, world class musicians, volunteers from around the community, our retail partners, to locals and visitors looking to share Aloha, the event has become truly one of the world’s elite paddling and cultural festivals. We thank everyone who has supported the effort.”

We invite you, your friends and family to come next year and take part in history in the making. Come share and spread the Aloha with our Ohana and yours.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Tune into to Ocean Paddler TV: The OluKai Ho’olaule’a will start to air on ocean paddler tv on the Time Warner network channel 12 and 1012 Tuesday June 4th @8pm in Hawaii, and will air the entire month of June pretty much everyday! Mainland folks can watch on the NBC Universal Sports Network on Direct and Dish TV (check local listings for days and times)

Photos: Tracy Kraft Leboe

A shout out to Kelly Moore of MooreWatertime who provided shuttle transportation services for all three events! Ride in style and comfort, save time.

Aloha,

Suzie Cooney

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May 12th & May 13th 2013:

SUP: DAY 1 SUP RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/27#/

OC1: DAY 2 OC1 & OC2 RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/28#/

Stay tuned here for full coverage from Fun Paddle to SUP & OC1 action. Lots of photos and videos coming soon.

Also to air on  Ocean Paddler OluKai Hoolaulea [...]]]> 5th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a SUP & OC1 Race Results 2013

May 12th & May 13th 2013:

SUP: DAY 1 SUP RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/27#/

OC1: DAY 2 OC1 & OC2 RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/28#/

Stay tuned here for full coverage from Fun Paddle to SUP & OC1 action. Lots of photos and videos coming soon.

Also to air on  Ocean Paddler OluKai Hoolaulea the first Tuesday of June in Hawaii on channel 12 and 1012 and nationally on the NBC Universal sports network!  More details to come.

Suzie Cooney
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

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This past Sunday, 90 eager stand up paddlers, that included one prone paddler, two kayaks and one OC1; journeyed 3 miles down Maui Hawaii’s famous North coast to experience a mini downwind and wave adventure, all in preparation for the wildly popular, non-competitive Fun Paddle Division of the [...]]]> April 21, 2013
Maui, Hawaii

This past Sunday, 90 eager stand up paddlers, that included one prone paddler, two kayaks and one OC1; journeyed 3 miles down Maui Hawaii’s famous North coast to experience a mini downwind and wave adventure, all in preparation for the wildly popular, non-competitive Fun Paddle Division of the 5th Annual OluKai Premium Footwear Ho’olaule’a. This SUP & OC1 race and event is the biggest downwind race in the world with equal gender prize money and includes an amazing line up of entertainment, luau dinner and Hawaiian culture games and sailing canoe rides. This event will be held May 11-12th, 2013.  Click here to register for the main event.

Sharina Husted from Wailuku, Hawaii writes: ”What a fun day! Great gang of people and an awesome event!! Thanks for giving back to our community and doing FREE events like this!! I’m hooked….next step…8 miles Olukai!”

This practice paddle is now a tradition and allows people of all ages and all levels, to build and gain their ocean confidence with water safety and proves to pull a large community of residents and international visitors. We always encourage people to come out and paddle anything humanly powered to join in on the fun.  Normally Maui’s N. shore is known for high winds and wave swells, but today was unusually calm that added more of a workout paddle element but also allowed everyone to enjoy the colorful reefs and get to know the course.

With the OluKai flags flying the courtyard at the Paia Youth & Cultural Center filled with boards and excited paddlers. The skipper meeting began promptly at 8:45am with Matthew Murasko, OluKai Premium Footwear’s Hawaii Ambassador reviewing the coarse and finish. Then it was my turn to warm up the crowd and get them pumped and excited.

[[Show as slideshow]]

With upper body exercises, 20 squats counted out loud and then my trademark “warrior warm up”, we headed down to Paia Bay to prepare and launch. The beach was beautiful and calm, waters inviting and the sky an incredible blue. Getting in was easy with minimal shore break, as the safety ski was already out and ready to guide and patrol the group.  It was smiles and a few nervous jitters for others, and off we went!

The fastest paddler to Kanaha Beach was about 40 minutes and the last group arrived about and hour and ten minutes. Everyone was a winner. People were high-fiving and applauding every paddler as one by one they came in stoked. Talk about community spirit!

Each year we notice many of these paddlers move up to the main event, which is the full 8 mile course that begins at Maliko Gulch. As a trainer and paddling coach, it’s very rewarding to see how hard these folks have worked to get there.

There are over 200 photos and maybe some of you here at Jimmie Hepp’s FBook https://www.facebook.com/jimmie.hepp2

We’d like to thank all of our volunteers and vendors who helped keep our event safe and worry free:

Milton Kalani Martinson – Safety Ski
Paia Youth & Cultural Center – Location Host
Maui Lifeguards
Jimmie Hepp Photography
Kelly Moore of Moore Watertime- Board Shuttle Service
Scott Smith – Medical Support
Neal Wagner – Video Specialist
Patrick McCarthy – Sweeper and Stoke Captain from Kihei
Local SUP & Surf Shops – Board Rentals for Participants

This year’s Fun Paddle Division costs $30 to enter. Participants get a special t-shirt and luau dinner. You can register the day of the event or take advantage of online registration here: http://www.olukai.com/Hoolaulea/races

Mahalo everyone for coming out! It was awesome to meet you and we look forward to seeing you on the big day. Please share this with your friends or feel free to leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

Suzie Cooney

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REGISTER NOW HERE! Sign up before May 4th and receive a free pair of premium OluKai sandals.

Ho’olaule’a – literally, it means “celebration”, but for us, it’s also an expression of gratitude. Each May, we [...]]]> The Biggest Downwind Event & Race in the World: MAY 11 -12TH, 2013 

The 5th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a 

REGISTER NOW HERE! Sign up before May 4th and receive a free pair of premium OluKai sandals.

Ho’olaule’a – literally, it means “celebration”, but for us, it’s also an expression of gratitude. Each May, we hold our interpretation of this storied Hawaiian tradition on Maui’s north shore. The event blends elite competition with family-friendly cultural activities and gathers some of the world’s best SUP, OC1 & OC2 paddlers to race the legendary 8-mile Maliko downwind run. Friends and families come together to enjoy canoe sailing and surfing, ancient Hawaiian games, traditional luau, hula, and live music. We take this opportunity to recognize and honor our ‘Ohana Giveback partners, as the community shares collective gifts of time, energy, and spirit.

I hope to see you there!

Suzie Cooney
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui

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For those living and visiting Maui, we are so fortunate to know Kelly Moore who owns Moore Watertime. We paddle, she drives! Enjoy your downwinder stress free and save time. The van is air conditioned with a  smooth ride so you can catch more bumps and glides.

The vibe on the shuttle is fun and who [...]]]>

For those living and visiting Maui, we are so fortunate to know Kelly Moore who owns Moore Watertime. We paddle, she drives! Enjoy your downwinder stress free and save time. The van is air conditioned with a  smooth ride so you can catch more bumps and glides.

The vibe on the shuttle is fun and who knows who you’re going to meet. It’s a blast to meet people from all over the world and get inspired, talk story and then off you go. You can be sure each ride is an “experience.”

Here’s a little video of a few friends and a typical day from the Harbor to Maliko. Here’s Simone, Bill, Livio and Ralph rapp’n in the back with us.  Like tunes, she’s got them. Champagne, well that’s the private shuttle. We’re all in training though, right?

The trades are always plenty on Maui, make sure you RSVP.  Texting is best: 808-250-1984

Also be sure to get on her email list so you know when and what’s going on.

Thanks Kelly for supporting all of our SUP and Canoe events on Maui!

See you at the harbor!

Suzie Cooney

Enjoy the feature and other amazing photography and articles here: http://issuu.com/thepaddler/docs/thepaddler_7_med-res

Suzie Trains Maui Team Correspondent

March 16th, 2013

Here’s your chance to train with the best! Improve your stand up paddling now! Increase your core strength, leg strength, reduce foot and leg fatigue, catch every wave, bump and glide, step up your game now!  With the purchase of ANY piece [...]]]> FREE SKYPE Session with Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui

March 16th, 2013

Here’s your chance to train with the best! Improve your stand up paddling now! Increase your core strength, leg strength, reduce foot and leg fatigue, catch every wave, bump and glide, step up your game now!  With the purchase of ANY piece of Indo Board Balance Training Equipment, through this website, you will also get a FREE 15 minute SKYPE training session with

Suzie Cooney, CPT of Suzie Trains Maui

Hurry, deadline for offer ends June 16th, 2013   

Suzie Cooney is an Indo Board Team Rider, a professional fitness expert, sponsored SUP Team Rider for Naish and can help you take your training to the next level. You’ve seen the videos and nows your chance to get your best game on and learn all of her jewels specific to your training needs.

For stand up paddling, learn all the cool tricks and how to be more powerful and ready on your feet! Have your questions answered, watch do and learn! Don’t miss another wave and learn how you can reduce foot and leg fatigue, improve your balance, strength and confidence.

Her suggested gear is the Indo Board 24″ Gigante Flo Cushion combined with either the Rocker Board for beginner to intermediate use and/or the Kicktail Pro, her favorite for the more advanced training. She believes this premium combo offers the best in all dimensional training.    Pictured left to right: The Indo Board Gigante Flo Cushion, The Pro Kicktail and the Rocker Board.

Suzie’e favorite! Pro Kicktail See photo above.

To learn more about how you can increase your SUP Performance with the Indo Board Balance Training Equipment and train like the pros, check out our videos and past articles:

SUP Fitness Training Videos and More Tips

 Advanced SUP Core Training with Hunter Joslin Founder of Indo Board Balance Trainer and Suzie Cooney on the Gigante Flo Cushion

We look forward to helping you perform your best and Suzie looks forward to meeting you!

You can contact Suzie through this website.

Suzie Trains Maui Team Correspondent

Terms and Conditions:

This offer is not transferrable and you must provide the date of your transaction and purchase your equipment through this website. Session expires 6 months after date of purchase. Due to the demands of her schedule and depending upon your time zone, there may be a 2-4 week wait for your free 15 minute SKYPE session. If you do not keep the scheduled time or are a no show, you will forfeit your session. You must be a registered user of SKYPE with high speed internet access. Click here for instructions on how you can get SKYPE for free.

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