Head Coach

Welcome from KCC's Head Coach - Kathy Erwin

Welcome to Kailua Canoe Club’s 2010 season. What a fun year we had in 2009! At the beginning of the season we said that we hoped “to field every crew from 10-and-under to 60-plus, gaining points needed to win regattas and build even more depth for our distance program.”

Our goal to build more depth for our distance program was exceeded. We fielded a record 6 crews in both Na Wahine o Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe. Our elite women and men’s crews placed 6th and 9th respectively in their races. The women fielded two open crews, 50 masters, novice A, novice B and 18 girls crews. Our men entered three open teams, 40 masters, 50 masters, and a novice team. Way to go, KCC!

We also met our goal of fielding every crew, and won a few regattas, including the Oahu Championship! Our third place finish at the State Race behind Hawaiian of Maui and Kai Opua of the Big Island gave us notice that we still have some work to do. Luckily, we are a club that thrives on challenge and we are already setting some new goals for 2010 including continuing to field all 39 entries in regattas, qualifying more crews for the State Race and continuing to move up the ranks in the long distance races. Oh yes, and having Even More Fun!

Returning paddlers, Welcome Back and Mahalo for your loyalty to Kailua Canoe Club. Newcomers, we hope that you enjoy your time with us. You have found the perfect place to make new friends, to work hard and to have fun. We are a team that paddles with passion, excellence and a common love for the ocean. We strive to live the values represented by the word “Aloha.” We are Kailua Canoe Club – Ho'ohana, 'A'ohe Hua 'Olelo (we allow our actions and our paddling to speak louder than our words)

We are lucky to have an outstanding coaching staff at KCC; the most dedicated and passionate coaches you will find anywhere. The coaches are expecting you to start the season in good shape, so get on your one-man, get in the gym, lace up those running shoes, swim or spin, and get ready to create a successful season for yourself, your team and your club. Our Board of Directors, headed by Prez. Carleen Ornellas, has worked hard over the winter, planning events and tuning up our canoes and equipment to provide you with the best paddling experience possible. Over 30 of the club’s board members and coaches participated in our second annual all-day retreat in February 2010, and came away with renewed enthusiasm and focus.

We hope you will keep an eye out for ways you can contribute this season to make Kailua Canoe Club even stronger than we were last year. It takes all of us, many hands, to be successful. I believe that most everything important you need to know about life can be learned while paddling canoes. Come and be a part of it! Check out our website for your practice times and coach information. A new season is upon us, and the best is yet to come!