Send Team Wahine o Wakinekona to Molokai!
Donation protected
Aloha!
Help support the dream of a Pacific Northwest women's team representing Washington State in the Na Wahine o Ke Kai outrigger canoe race across 42 miles of the Ka`iwi channel between Moloka'i and O'ahu!
We are 12 women, residents of the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) area, planning to represent our region at the prestigious Na Wahine O Ke Kai distance outrigger canoe race in Hawai`i this September 22, 2019. Coming from Tacoma, Seattle, to Bellingham, we represent four outrigger canoe clubs, all members of the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association (PNWORCA). This summer are coming together to race as a single Pacific Northwest crew, under the name “Wahine o Wakinekona”, or “Women of Washington”. We are reaching out to our communities to support this venture and help us make this dream a reality. For many of us, and especially for those of us that grew up in Hawai'i, this has been a lifelong dream.
Please consider supporting us with a meaningful donation of any amount by September 22nd, and support strong women in water sports! Continue reading below for more information on the race and our amazing crew of Washington women!
Race Background: Women can do Molokai too!
Started 1979, Na Wahine (Na Wahine o Ke Kai) is the world’s premier women’s long distance outrigger canoe racing event. Hundreds of paddlers from around the world race 42 miles of open ocean across the Ka`iwi channel, from the island of Moloka`i to the island of O`ahu. The race is extremely physically and mentally challenging, and for many it is seen as the pinnacle of long distance outrigger canoe racing. Because of the challenging conditions, many coaches and officials of the men's race (the Molokai Hoe, started in 1952) originally insisted the women couldn’t handle the treacherous channel. It took years of patience and persistence to convince everyone that it was possible for women to paddle across the Kaiwi Channel. In October of 1975, the first unofficial crossing was made by two crews of 18 women each, who proved that women could paddle across the Kaiwi Channel. This lead to the inaugural Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women of the Sea) race on October 15, 1979, the date of the first women’s Molokai to Oahu Canoe Race.
The canoe race has flourished through the years and attracted crews from all over the world, perpetuated by race supporters, volunteers, and the paddlers. This endurance, devotion and sportsmanship have helped to perpetuate Hawaii’s cultural heritage.
Costs: Help us make this possible!
Our team has already begun a rigorous training plan, and are confident that we will successfully represent Washington State on this international scale! However, the cost of racing at Na Wahine is significant, particularly for crews traveling from outside of Hawai`i. On top of race registration ($900 fee +$200 for insurance), escort boat costs ($1500+), and canoe rental and shipping fees ($800+), we will need to cover our travel expenses from Washington to Hawai`i, rental trucks on Moloka'i, housing on the islands and a one-way ticket to Moloka`i (we will paddle back to Honolulu!). We will also be paying for team uniforms, and the necessary supplies to sustain us when we cross the channel. These expenses add up quickly, so we welcome any support that our community can provide to help us make Washington proud!
Meet the Team!
Join us for a fundraising Pint Night on August 24, 2019 at Burke Gilman Brewing in Seattle, where $1 from every pint sold between 3:30pm-8pm will go towards our team!
Please consider supporting us with a meaningful donation of any amount by September 22nd, and support strong women in water sports!
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration, and please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about Team WoW laulau and our plans for the Na Wahine o Ke Kai race.
Aloha,
Anna Simeon (Tacoma, Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Denise Dierich (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Jackie Caplan-Auerbach (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Jamie Stroble* (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Jill Sullivan (Tacoma; Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Julia Swenson (Seattle; Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club)
Kathryn Lau (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Kayla Meek (Oak Harbor, Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Kim Yu (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Leslie Clark (Mount Vernon; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Lexi Jack (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Martha Foleni (Tacoma; Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Sarah Tanuvasa (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
*Team Captain
Help support the dream of a Pacific Northwest women's team representing Washington State in the Na Wahine o Ke Kai outrigger canoe race across 42 miles of the Ka`iwi channel between Moloka'i and O'ahu!
We are 12 women, residents of the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) area, planning to represent our region at the prestigious Na Wahine O Ke Kai distance outrigger canoe race in Hawai`i this September 22, 2019. Coming from Tacoma, Seattle, to Bellingham, we represent four outrigger canoe clubs, all members of the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association (PNWORCA). This summer are coming together to race as a single Pacific Northwest crew, under the name “Wahine o Wakinekona”, or “Women of Washington”. We are reaching out to our communities to support this venture and help us make this dream a reality. For many of us, and especially for those of us that grew up in Hawai'i, this has been a lifelong dream.
Please consider supporting us with a meaningful donation of any amount by September 22nd, and support strong women in water sports! Continue reading below for more information on the race and our amazing crew of Washington women!
Race Background: Women can do Molokai too!
Started 1979, Na Wahine (Na Wahine o Ke Kai) is the world’s premier women’s long distance outrigger canoe racing event. Hundreds of paddlers from around the world race 42 miles of open ocean across the Ka`iwi channel, from the island of Moloka`i to the island of O`ahu. The race is extremely physically and mentally challenging, and for many it is seen as the pinnacle of long distance outrigger canoe racing. Because of the challenging conditions, many coaches and officials of the men's race (the Molokai Hoe, started in 1952) originally insisted the women couldn’t handle the treacherous channel. It took years of patience and persistence to convince everyone that it was possible for women to paddle across the Kaiwi Channel. In October of 1975, the first unofficial crossing was made by two crews of 18 women each, who proved that women could paddle across the Kaiwi Channel. This lead to the inaugural Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women of the Sea) race on October 15, 1979, the date of the first women’s Molokai to Oahu Canoe Race.
The canoe race has flourished through the years and attracted crews from all over the world, perpetuated by race supporters, volunteers, and the paddlers. This endurance, devotion and sportsmanship have helped to perpetuate Hawaii’s cultural heritage.
Costs: Help us make this possible!
Our team has already begun a rigorous training plan, and are confident that we will successfully represent Washington State on this international scale! However, the cost of racing at Na Wahine is significant, particularly for crews traveling from outside of Hawai`i. On top of race registration ($900 fee +$200 for insurance), escort boat costs ($1500+), and canoe rental and shipping fees ($800+), we will need to cover our travel expenses from Washington to Hawai`i, rental trucks on Moloka'i, housing on the islands and a one-way ticket to Moloka`i (we will paddle back to Honolulu!). We will also be paying for team uniforms, and the necessary supplies to sustain us when we cross the channel. These expenses add up quickly, so we welcome any support that our community can provide to help us make Washington proud!
Meet the Team!
Join us for a fundraising Pint Night on August 24, 2019 at Burke Gilman Brewing in Seattle, where $1 from every pint sold between 3:30pm-8pm will go towards our team!
Please consider supporting us with a meaningful donation of any amount by September 22nd, and support strong women in water sports!
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration, and please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about Team WoW laulau and our plans for the Na Wahine o Ke Kai race.
Aloha,
Anna Simeon (Tacoma, Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Denise Dierich (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Jackie Caplan-Auerbach (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Jamie Stroble* (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Jill Sullivan (Tacoma; Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Julia Swenson (Seattle; Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club)
Kathryn Lau (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Kayla Meek (Oak Harbor, Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Kim Yu (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Leslie Clark (Mount Vernon; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
Lexi Jack (Seattle; Hui Wa`a o Wakinikona)
Martha Foleni (Tacoma; Kikaha O Ke Kai)
Sarah Tanuvasa (Bellingham; Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers)
*Team Captain
Organizer
Jamie Stroble
Organizer
Seattle, WA
