Paddling Awards 2012

Paddle Party

High school sports on the Big Island are broken into three sessions during the school year. Luke took on and endured the toughest sport at HPA during the first session: varsity football. Having survived that he opted for a sport that might offer a bit less stress and possibly the chance for some fun: outrigger canoe paddling. Outrigger canoe racing is a huge sport in Hawaii and he was placed on the JV crew and had a great time. Races are held each weekend during the season either in Hilo, Kawaihae Harbor or Kailua Bay.

At the seasons end there is an awards party where trophies are handed out,  food eaten and some kind of fun enjoyed. This years party was put on by an incredibly generous couple who's daughter paddled on the JV crew. They donated the use of the sports facility at the Kukio Resort. 

They hired as well a  crazy piece of equipment that allows a person or persons to climb into a huge plastic wet ball which spins around giving one the effect of a water slide that never moves. Kind of like a giant water filled circular treadmill but way more fun!

Luke climbed into the sphere and ran like a taliban chieftain from a bacon shop..

...resulting in him performing multiple end'os. 

Awards were given for many outstanding performances and skills and then the fun continued in the pool, the water ball and the grass field at the sports center.

Lucky we live in Hawaii where my son can paddle an outrigger canoe in the warm blue Pacific every afternoon after school as his school sport and have an awards party at a gorgeous resort instead of the local Denny's or a school cafeteria in Armpit, Oklahoma!

You have no idea how lucky you are Luke!

Laters...Brian

If you would like to see all the photos from the awards party click here:


http://www.hawaiianimages.net/gallery/paddling2012/index.html