MĀKAHA ROOTS · A SHARED OCEAN
Better strokes. Stronger crews.
A good lesson on the water deserves to travel beyond one practice.
Aloha, I’m Mike.
I’m a paddler with Mākaha Canoe Club on Oʻahu’s west side. I started The Paddler’s Journal to share the lessons, questions, and conversations that help us grow as paddlers and as a community.
A military mentor taught me to leave a place better than I found it. I carry that lesson into paddling: help the next person find their place in the canoe, share what we learn, and contribute to a crew that grows stronger together.
Why this journal exists
Some of our best lessons happen between sets, during a beach conversation, or after a practice that did not go as planned. Writing them down gives those lessons a longer life and makes them available to someone who was not there to hear them.
This journal is for the first-time paddler finding their rhythm, the experienced paddler refining their stroke, and the coaches, volunteers, and leaders helping a club move forward. Everyone has something to learn and something to contribute.
What you’ll find here
Technique and timing. Stroke fundamentals, clear coaching cues, and practical ideas to bring into your next coached session.
Regatta and long-distance paddling. Preparation, crew communication, race-day routines, and lessons to carry into the next season.
Community and club leadership. Welcoming new paddlers, supporting volunteers, caring for shared equipment, and building consistent expectations.
Reflections from the water. Stories and questions about teamwork, belonging, responsibility, and the experiences that keep us coming back.
What guides the conversation
Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? These questions guide what I share. Difficult subjects deserve honest discussion, with care for the people involved. The focus is on what we can learn and improve.
Personal experience will be identified as personal experience. When an article reports facts beyond that experience, sources will be identified. Respect for the ocean, the waʻa, and the Hawaiian roots of outrigger paddling belongs alongside every discussion of technique and performance.
Mākaha roots, a wider welcome
The Paddler’s Journal is an independent blog written from my perspective. It does not speak for Mākaha Canoe Club or establish club policy. Its welcome extends across clubs, generations, and experience levels.
The articles are a starting point for learning and conversation. Bring the ideas and questions to your coaches, and follow your crew’s direction and established safety procedures on the water.
Pull up a seat
Read, reflect, and join the conversation in the article comments. Share a lesson, ask a useful question, or suggest a topic you would like us to explore.
New here? Start with Why I Started The Paddler’s Journal, or explore the latest articles.
Mahalo for being here.
Mike
