5th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a

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OluKai & Suzie Cooney Host A Free 3 Mile Practice Fun Paddle April 28th 2012 in Preparation for the 4th Annual Ho'olaule'a

Join Us Saturday April 28th, 2012
Maui, Hawaii
OluKai and Suzie Cooney host a Free 3 Mile “Practice” Fun Paddle
Paia Youth and Cultural Center 9AM

(no pre-registration required)

 

In preparation for the 4th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a, and the Fun Paddle Division, join us again for the 3 mile “practice” fun paddle, mini downwinder that everyone can enjoy. Build your water confidence. Anything paddle powered can enter as this is not a competition.  The start is at the Paia Bay Youth and Center and will finish at the lifeguard tower at Kahana Beach Park.  ( Details below )

  Here is a link to one of last years ( 2011 )second practice paddle.

All ages, all levels of paddlers will enjoy an escorted practice paddle with me and other safety folks. This is a great opportunity for those who desire to experience Maui’s N. shore in a fun and safe manor. Here’s a video from one of last year’s practice paddles:  ( 2o11 ) 

So, grab your stand up paddle board, kayak, 4 man, 6 man, prone paddle board, canoe or anything you can paddle! This is your chance to get ready, test your paddle skills, meet some new friends and join the OluKai ohana. The paddle will take the fastest paddler approximately 30 minutes or less to complete and the average time will be about and hour. Take your time, soak in the sun and paddle with your friends. This is not a race, paddle at your capacity.

PRACTICE  3 MILE FUN PADDLE:

DATE: Saturday, April 28, 2012

WHERE: Start –  28 Hana Hwy:  Paia Bay Youth and Cultural Center   Finish: Kanaha Beach Park Lifeguard Tower

TIME:  Start time is 9:00am  ( please arrive by 8:00am to sign in and for course review and safety meeting )

We suggest paddlers carpool and prearrange transportation after the paddle so you can retrieve your car from the Paia Bay Youth and Center. You will need to provide your own board or gear to paddle.

Any questions, please contact Matthew Murasko, OluKai Premium Footwear Hawaii Ambassador  mmurasko@olukai.com

To register for the OluKai Ho’olaule’a Fun Paddle on May 12, 2012, click here. The cost is $20 and includes your entry and luau dinner.

More about the Fun Paddle May 12th, 2012: 

The ‘Ohana Fun Paddle, is a non-timed, non-competitive 3-mile fun paddle designed for all members of the community to get out in the ocean for a good cause. The shorter course is less strenuous, and a great way for paddlers of all skill levels to experience a portion of the legendary Maliko downwind run. No timing chips, no age divisions, just come out and paddle! Maui’s own fitness and training expert, Suzie Cooney, will lead paddlers on the 3-mile course.

Represent your ‘ohana in coordinated colors and outfits, or wear your best Hawaiian warrior costume. This is meant to be a fun event! The most festive participants will receive special prizes from OluKai.

A portion of proceeds from the ‘Ohana Fun Paddle go to our ‘Ohana Giveback Program benefitting Maui Cultural Lands and Hawaii’s Junior Lifeguard Program.

Also for those who are interested in the 8 mile SUP race May 12th or the OC1 race May 13th click here.


Suzie Cooney, CPT  owner of Suzie Trains Maui

 

 

 

April 9th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: OluKai Ho'olaule'a Events, SUP Events | One comment - (Comments are closed)

Maui: OluKai & Suzie Cooney Ohana Practice Fun Paddle Adventure April 2nd 2011

Despite unexpected high surf conditions the week before, the day could not have been more beautiful and the waves just big enough to give the eager paddlers three miles of rides and glides they’ll never forget!

Maui’s N. shore, Paia Bay Cultural and Youth Center was the place to be, April 2, 2011. ( Next OluKai Ohana Fun Paddle - April 30th, 2011 )  In preparation for The Third Annual OluKai Ohana Ho’olaule’a and new division, The Ohana Fun Paddle, this pre-practice paddle was a first, and I was thrilled to be co-hosting the event.  Matthew Murasko, OluKai’s Hawaii Ambassador, gathered his safety team of two PWCs  ( thanks to Rodney and Darrel ) and was greeting and registering our first arrivals before 8 AM with coffee, juice, snacks and lots of enthusiasm.  I pulled together my main waterman, Milton, Randy, Jeremy, Michael, John, Tommy, Joshua and also, Nitsan from Naish; who wore bright green rash guards kindly donated by Rodney Kilborn; Mormaii.

Our paddlers ranged in age from late teens to 70 years young…special acknowledgment to Sharina Husted who just gave birth to a new baby daughter 29 days ago and had never done a downwind paddle before! Paddlers consisted of local Mauians to visitors from Canada, California and England.

With a total of 26 paddlers, 22 of them were about to earn their stripes. For those who have only dreamed of paddling out of the world famous Maliko Gulch, this was their first, courageous step towards that goal and a chance to to be with experienced friends to guide them. The winds were ramping up towards our 9 AM start and by 9:15, we had the perfect direction clocking in at about 15 – 18 mph.

The first challenge was a gentle shore break that was easily managed with the strong help of our PWCs and fine waterman. This was a part of learning: timing the sets, hopping up to your knees if need, and paddling hard.  Then to hold your course and learn how to navigate with stronger winds pushing at your side was a new experience for many.  Since this was not a race, it was easy to take one’s time and get more comfortable with a new spot and new conditions. Everyone one was so encouraging and helpful to one another.

Sharina's Adventure

Sharina Asato Husted of Wailuku who just had a baby 4 weeks ago shared,

”Yesterday was my first downwind paddle experience! After falling the first 4 times while attempting to stand, I was pretty bummed and vowed to never do this again if I somehow made it to the finish.

After the 1st mile paddling on my knees, one of the guards, Tommy offered to switch boards with me and I got up on my first try!! The rest is history! I had so much fun and am hooked!! I am incredibly grateful to you and your team for this awesome experience!

“Wow, Tommy,  what a guy!! I was so amazed at how nice everyone was and the wonderful community of people that you have gathered together!”

Way to go Sharina!

At the finish, the lower lifeguard tower at Kanaha Beach Park, the first arrived in about 35 minutes and the group of the last paddlers at the 60 minute mark.  This was a huge accomplishment for those who’ve never done a down winder before. The camaraderie and that feeling of doing something so exciting and sharing it with a bunch of new down winder friends was obvious. I looked around and remembered what it felt like on my first run. It felt great and I felt powerful and pumped up! Several people told me that this experience changed their life and gave them so much more confidence. They were hooked.

The Fab 5!

A special Mahalo goes to Paia Youth & Cultural Center for hosting us. Carl Rozycki for our professional videographer of InVision Maui Productions, Joshua Kjorven for the cool water shots,  and to Rodney Kilborn for providing our PWCs and expertise, our awesome waterman mentioned above, Pete Thompson, Simone Reddingius for being my right hand good buddy, Matthew Murasko from OluKai.

Great job everyone! We hope you can join us on the next OluKai Ohana Practice Fun Paddle, April 30th, 2011!

Thanks for your continued support and frienship everyone, Suzie Cooney.

When: Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Where: Maui – N. Shore Paia Youth and Cultural Center

Time:  Arrive by 8AM to register

Register online for the exciting Thrid Annual OluKai Ohana Ho’olaule’a, before May 4th and get a free pair of OluKai Premium Footwear Slippers!

Follow the events leading up to the Annual OluKai Ohana Ho’olaule’a, check back here or go to their Face Book Page at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117582624980082&ref=ts

April 4th, 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Media & Press, OluKai Ho'olaule'a Events, SUP Events, Suzie's SUP Clinics | 3 comments