Welcome Nalowale

November 14 marked a day we will long remember at the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Club.  Parallel with the Polynesian tradition, the new Mirage OC6 racing canoe was officially recognized as a member of our 'ohana (family). The canoe is blessed, offerings are made to the sea and to the wind and the canoe is introduced and welcomed as Nalowale.

Nalowale is a Hawaiian word meaning vanished, missing, hidden. It is rather unique name but the story of its building was complicated and it had many arrival dates that came and went. Finally, late in October the canoe was delivered to the GRPC, Westshore facilty at Royal Roads University. On Saturday, November 14, the canoe was paddled into the Victoria Harbour and up the Gorge to GRPC, where she will reside. Photo on right shows Nalowale passing into the inner harbour on her trip into the Gorge.

The canoe was built by Western Canoe and Kayaking in Abbotsford, BC under licence and specification control of Outrigger Connection in Hawaii. Nalowale paddles very well and the room in the boat is a blessing considering our many years jammed into the old Advantage OC6 canoes we use for training. The Mirage is one of the best canoes available for ocean racing and represents state of the art.

The naming ceremony took place on the GRPC dock with Scott of GRPC acting as the master of ceremony. Scott introduced Ron Williams (left), long time paddler who is known throughout Canada as one of the most experienced marathon canoe paddlers.  Ron talked about the history of canoeing and what the long tradition of canoeing means to those of us who canoe for sport today. Ron also talked about how the design of canoes have grown over the years and have led to the Mirage canoes designed and built by Karel Tresnak a Hawaiian of Eastern European descent. He told of how the Mirage's modern design uses the energy of the waves for speed, an obvious advance over just paddling to make them go.

Steve of GRPC talked about the purchase of the canoe and described some of the difficulty in getting the transaction completed. Steve also described that 3000 rowers and paddlers use the facility and how he hoped this new canoe would be the first of several more. He also expressed the clubs commitment to support paddling in conjunction with their other water sports.

Next, Scott introduced Brent Bagnall, (right) who serves as senior coach of the competitive outrigger program.  Brent pointed out that the desire and the skill to paddle as a crew and compete in international races, will be rewarded by a canoe like this. Brent talked about competitive outrigger canoeing and noted the successes the Gorge Va'a team has had in international races. Brent talked about the spirit of a canoe and the tradition of a canoe being a living part of  a paddling family (or to use the Hawaiian term: 'ohana). Brent described the Polynesian tradition of the blessing of the canoe, the offerings made to the wind and the sea and welcoming of  the canoe to the family.

Risa Greenwood, present coach of the Gorge Va'a outrigger team, placed a wreath of cedar bough on the canoe and it was paddled out into the Gorge around Halkett Island and, facing east, blessings were offered to the wind and the waters. The canoe was paddled back to the dock where she was welcomed to the Gorge and introduced as Nalowale.

So it goes, the canoe Nalowale is blessed and part of our family. There will be many an adventure between the paddlers and Nalowale for years to come.  We hope to see her in all our competitive races.