Weed Out the Wimps

On Sunday, February 23, a group met to do the “Weed out the Wimps” paddle. The morning was clear and calm, the forecast was for light wind and chop, or so we thought. We must have missed a late breaking update somehow, but more on that to follow. Here’s a picture, by Sandy, of the group getting ready to launch at Makai Pier:

There were seven in the group, two of the boats were doubles, Katrena and Randy in one, us in the other. Sandy, Stan, and Steve were all in their Scupper Pros. It was so beautiful out at Makai Pier when we started, and it was Victoria’s first time to do this paddle. Stan even sang the first line of “Oh what a beautiful morning” from the musical Oklahoma as we left Makai pier. But, as we left the pier and passed Rabbit Island on the left, it got windier and the swells started to get bigger and rougher. Victoria didn’t have any prior expectations about what the paddle would be like, and so just kept paddling, trying to keep perpendicular to each swell like Paul had taught her. It seemed very challenging, but doable, and only seemed scary or raise doubts when Paul would occasionally blurt out, “It wasn’t supposed to be this rough!” But we just kept churning along. Paul said that it would get calmer once we turned the point at Makapuʻu, and would continue to get calmer the farther we went. It did gradually, so that the hardest slog was the first part. We stopped at 2 Beer Beach with Stan and Steve for a little rest and snack. Sandy, Katrena, and Randy kept going.

After we turned the corner at Makapuʻu Victoria had thought the next point of land in sight would also be a corner, but it turned out to be a long stretch of walls along the shoreline of Koko Head. It seemed to go on for a very long time. Victoria decided that she could only focus on the next little bit, so would find a landmark (a shape or puka in the next bit of wall just ahead) and then just set the goal of paddling toward it for the next 5 minutes, until we were level with that landmark before choosing another one a little farther ahead. Paddling downwind towards Koko Head, we passed Sandy Beach and the ‘Eternity Beach’ shoreline without trouble, though the following seas and breeze made for a bouncy ride. We passed Hanauma Bay and saw this famous shallow sea cave as we started around Koko Head.

We finally turned past Portlock, and then into Maunalua Bay, toward our landing destination at Hawaii Kai Beach Park. The beach park didn’t seem to get closer for a long time. We had headwinds that were pushing us back out to sea. We tacked against the wind, paddled hard, and surfed a small wave which helped us get a little in toward the beach. We had kept in radio contact, and everyone made it to shore.

Despite the challenge and it being a little daunting, the experience was really amazing. Despite the wind and the swells, it was such a beautiful day out on the water, and it was very satisfying for a novice to be able to accomplish the paddle. It was inspiring, and makes Victoria want to go out and paddle more.

This was a once in a lifetime paddle. Every single trip is once in a lifetime. Seize the day and do it!