We practice 3 days a week by paddling varying lengths and speeds inside and outside the harbor. About a month ago we were paddling down the coast, when we stopped for a breather and were rolled by a wave. The outrigger flipped, dumping us into the water. Normally, this isn't a major problem as you simply flip the canoe upright, grab the bailer (a laundry detergent bottle cut in half) and bail out the water. Normally. It seems we forgot the bailer, so we began bailing with our hands -- a tedious process. Full of water, the boat can only accommodate 2 people, so the rest remained in the ocean, steadying the boat. Normally, this would be fine. Normally. However, when you've unknowingly flipped into a smack of jellyfish (yes, a "smack" is the proper term), a problem arises. Luckily I avoided stings, but a few of my teammates weren't so lucky. 20 minutes of jellyfish avoidance and hand-bailing ensued. Then the boat flipped again. Seriously. After another long, painful, and tiring process, we finally regained our boat and were able to limp to shore.
We hoped our luck would improve a few weeks later when U'umi took part in an international paddling competition against teams from American and Independent Samoa. It didn't. We lost.
Pago Pago Yacht Club:
Outriggers:
Outriggers:
Kids sailing in front of the Yacht Club:
U'umi:
Doing my best as steersman of the blue boat:
Post 10k exhaustion:
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