This isn’t a full story on this year’s Double Roughwater Swim. This is feedback that new member Mark Ling gave to Eileen regarding his first experience as an escort for the Double Roughwater Swim...
“I totally enjoyed it and had a blast! This was my first time escorting a swimmer. I would definitely do it again! We were a little nervous, we both did not do an event like this before. My swimmer, Wes, said don’t sweat it, let’s just wing it! I smiled and said let’s do this.”
“We had a little trouble going into the first buoy I couldn’t find him for the first 10 minutes. I had to call the jet ski assist to help me. But we finally hooked up and we’re on our way.”
Wooden medallion for the swimmer and escort
Mark and Wes show off their medallions
“He was happy with the time he turned in. And we had a delicious breakfast buffet at the Outrigger Canoe Club. This was the first year, both swimmers and escorts were awarded a prize.” – Editor’s note: Swimmers and escorts have both received medallions for a few years now
The surf was up at Makaha, but that didn’t deter 16 paddlers from venturing out into the beautiful blue at our second Meet & Greet event of the year. Nine of the paddlers were on their first club paddle. I nervously watched the forecast as advisory level winds blew across the state in the preceding days. Good karma came through, however, and the advisory expired just before our event. A second threat came from an advisory level south shore swell that had potential for some wraparound on the west. I put my faith in Surfline’s prediction of 3 to 4 foot surf at Makaha and trusted that the wide channel in the bay would give us plenty of leeway to paddle out safely even with beginners.
Terry says, “We’re going that way!” – photo by Ruby
Bill, Steve and the Kennedys provided loaner kayaks. They gave the beginners brief instructions and got them fitted into their PFDs and kayaks. I told the group that our route was down the center of the bay, staying well clear of the breaking surf on each side, and then turning south. Our goal was Lahilahi Point, being aware that there could be large swells and not to venture too close to shore. Right after launch we would practice kayak reentry with experienced members helping the beginners.
Ready to launch – photo by Katrena
As we lined up our kayaks at the water’s edge a life guard zoomed up on an ATV. He just wanted to know where we were headed and to warn us about the big swells outside. We thanked him for his diligence and began the paddle with Stan expertly demonstrating a huli and recovery.
Stan demonstrates kayak reentry – photo by RubyCarolyn shows that she can do it too! – photo by Ruby
We got everyone off the beach without incident although I did have to chase down one first-timer as she began drifting toward the surf break. We gathered in the bay for the group photo at the top of this post before heading out. Katrena took a photo of us as we began to paddle out with what looks like a very large breaking wave going across the bay. I don’t recall a breaking wave spanning the bay (otherwise I would have had second thoughts about leading the group out that way) so it must have just been the angle that she took the shot at along with telephoto compression that created this dramatic perspective. In any case, we didn’t have to plow through any breaking waves and we safely began our journey.
Surf was up as we headed out (not really)! – photo by Katrena
Occasional large swells rolled by as we headed toward Lahilahi giving the beginners the thrill of bobbing up and over these gentle moving liquid hills. Sandy and I escorted most of the group with Bill and Stan staying close to a couple of the slower paddlers. I had a slight scare when a large swell passed us by and I noticed Bill and his paddler well inside of us, possibly in too close. I breathed a sigh of relief after watching them disappear behind a wall of water and then nonchalantly reappear. Regardless, I quickly radioed Bill to move further outside. “10-4!”, came a prompt reply.
Susan enjoying her first SOT ride – photo by TerryThe Philpott family three – photo by TerryChristine enjoying the paddle – photo by TerryNew member Ben Burgess – photo by Terry
We turned around at Lahilahi with most of the group heading straight back to shore. A few people wanted to snorkel so I tethered their kayaks to mine while they jumped in. Mark Philpott and one of his daughters snorkeled while the other stayed in the kayak. She was a little nervous as our little flotilla drifted outside of the surf break. Her nervousness stemmed from an kayaking incident they had a week earlier resulting in their rescue near Kahana Bay. They made the news! Mark looked us up soon after. He wants to learn how to paddle safely and to be able to paddle with a group.
Amy and Adam return and Randy and Bill lend a hand – photo by Katrena
An additional twelve non-paddlers, members and guests, held down the picnic site. Norm and Alan Matsuo grilled goodies while Ruby and Eileen setup the potluck spread. We enjoyed an opu-filling lunch and got to know the first-time paddlers. Ben Burgess and Mark Philpott joined the club on the spot and the seed was planted in the others. Mahalo to all who contributed to another successful Meet & Greet!
As we rendezvoused at the Hale‘iwa War Memorial the beach park was already bustling as early birds began to arrive for the 25th Hale‘iwa Arts Festival. While I’m sure the festival offered lots of nice things to see, three other paddlers and I opted to enjoy the beauty of the ocean instead.
The wind and ocean were calm leaving Hale‘iwa. Stan Dalbec, Bill Murphy and Harry Chiu decided to take a route inside the reef. I stayed outside the breakers as I was dragging a lure and hoped that the predicted uptick in wind would be strong enough for sailing.
Harry Chiu passing Hale‘iwaNorth Shore O‘ahu from Waialua to Kaena
The forecast was accurate as a steady breeze came up just after eleven. I opened my Wind Paddle and began a slow sail. Initially, I moved just a little faster than the paddlers, but the wind picked up and, as Bill told me later, I “shot ahead”. The wind got so strong that I dropped the sail for the last quarter mile because the cross swells were getting large and I had to weave my way through several groups of free divers.
As we approached the Dillingham Airfield a group of about six skydivers floated down from the clouds.
Sailing with a Wind PaddleSkydivers over Mokuleia
I waited outside of Runway Beach for the rest of the group to catch up, but only Bill appeared. The inside passage had closed out before our landing spot and while Bill was able to punch his way out Harry, who was on just his second club paddle, was not as fortunate and had his first huli. Bill said that while he learned about bracing into a wave when he was a beginner this was the first time he had to put it into practice. That tells you something about the conditions.
Harry’s happy to reach Runway Beach
Stan came to Harry’s aid and they regrouped on shore. From shore they spotted a path through the surf and decided to paddle on. While this paddle was more challenging than Harry expected he was smiling at the end and looks forward to more adventures with the hui.
Story and photos by Terry Shimabukuro (except as noted)
June 21, 2024
The kayaking part of this event was canceled because of a Small Craft Advisory (SCA), but a small group of us gathered at Electric Beach to snorkel, picnic and watch the sunset. Ruby and I were joined by Norm Chun, Mary Ann, Jled, Beth and Won Yee Cheng-Leever and Susan Wilcox. While there was a steady breeze it was nowhere near SCA level nearshore so we were disappointed that we could have been kayaking.
A small pod of spinner dolphins cruised back and forth a little beyond the power plant outflow and kept us entertained with their acrobatics before sunset. The conditions were perfect for snorkeling so Norm, Beth and I jumped in. The warm water at the outflow attracts a wide variety of fish and it was fun to watch them “playing” in the current.
Picnic spot overlooking the ocean – photo by BethWaiting for sunset – photo by Beth
We enjoyed our picnic dinners and getting to know Susan who was attending her third club event. Good ol’ Sol did not disappoint and painted the horizon in a relaxing, warm orange glow. A wonderful end to the second longest day of the year (the solstice was actually the day before).
Even the feral cats line up to watch sunset!Beth and Won Yee silhouetted at sunset
We waited for La Luna to rise, but a hill masked her appearance so we packed up and headed home. Once we drove around the hill she shined big and mesmerizingly beautiful! Too bad we didn’t see it while on the water…maybe next year!
Advisory level trades threatened to cancel our paddle, but the SCA ended early Sunday morning so it was a go for six paddlers, including new member Bill McCarthy who was on his first paddle on the open ocean.
Small swells rolled up the beach at Tracks, but they weren’t breaking so we all launched without incident. As we began our journey up the coast a lifeguard on an Ocean Safety jet ski pulled along side me and asked where we were headed. When I replied Pokai he responded, “Whoa!”
He warned me that there was surf breaking along the coast so he suggested that we stay a little outside. I passed the word along as the lifeguard zoomed in to intercept Stan Dalbec who was already busy with his usual close inspection of the rocky coastline.
Leaving Tracks, approaching NanakuliNanakuli Valley
Our dolphin escort failed to show up for this paddle. I think they knew that Beth, Eileen, Nikko and Sandy weren’t with us so they went to look for a better audience. I didn’t see much wildlife except one large honu and a few ‘ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) flying by.
Without wildlife to entertain us the Waianae mountains filled the void with a glorious show. The heavy May showers produced lush green valleys and hillsides. High clouds framed jagged peaks from Makakilo to Makaha. Normally, at this time of the year the leeward coast is more brown than green so we relished this rare treat.
Bill Murphy and Lisa CMajestic Ma’ili Point
While I don’t claim that these photos are works of art try viewing them on the largest screen that you can (or at least read this in landscape mode) to get a better sense of what we saw.
Passing the Waianae ValleyApproaching Pokai Bay with Makaha Valley in the background
Bill McCarthy stands a lanky 6′-4″ and he folded himself into his used Scrambler for this 8-mile trek. His long reach gives him a powerful stroke that allowed him to keep up with us, at least until the pad-eye anchoring his seat back popped off. I noticed that he had another pad-eye forward of the failed one so I attempted an on-water repair with some spare line that I carry. We clipped his seat back to the line and I cinched it up and, “Ping!”, another pad-eye launched into the sea! Disappointed in my failed McGuyver moment, Bill shrugged it off, engaged his core and soldiered on.
6′-4″ Bill in his ScramblerComing in to land at Pokai Bay Beach Park
He was running low on gas by the end of the paddle, but we cruised safely into Pokai Bay. In spite of his struggles Bill remained in good spirits. Earlier, when we took a short break after rounding Ma’ili Point Bill took a moment to soak in the vista. He turned to me and said, “It never gets old.” Bill gets it. This is why we paddle. Welcome to the Hui Bill!
