2025-2026 MAKALEI SEASON

We are happy to announce the return of the Makalei Canoe Club season for youth paddlers for the 2025-26 season. Makalei is a program sponsored by the Kailua Canoe Club and is a part of the Nā ‘Ōpio Canoe Racing Association.

Makalei accepts youth paddlers, with or without paddling experience, in Grades 3 through 12. Based on canoe availability, we will need to limit the number of paddlers accepted into the Makalei program.

You will note a few changes for this year’s program:

-After serious consideration, we had to raise our fees per paddler to $175. This will allow us to continue providing the paddlers with well-maintained canoes and equipment, pay for the increase in association fees so that every paddler will be able to race every regatta, and continue our long-standing tradition of breakfast on race days!

-Although we encourage early registration, this will not necessarily guarantee your keiki a slot in our program. We will be trying to return to our original mission of providing paddling opportunities to both new paddlers and returning paddlers wanting more experience while balancing out the age groups of these paddlers. If we cannot accommodate your keiki paddler, you will be notified and put onto our wait list in case a slot opens up. In the meantime, your fee will be refunded to you.

-This year, we will also create a formal OC-1/V-1 team that will be able to compete at the regattas. Training will probably be on another day aside from our regular OC-6 training days.

Online registration will open on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 8:00am. Practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:15pm starting Thursday, November 4, 2025 at the Kailua Canoe Club paddling site. Races take place on Saturdays in January and February of 2026.

Please be sure your youth paddler can make the commitment to this schedule prior to registering. We would like to see keiki who won’t miss out on important training days and can be available to race once regattas start. OC-1/V-1 training days will be announced after the November 4 start date. If you have any questions or concerns regarding adherence to this schedule please reach out to us before registering.

Mahalo and see you all soon!