Kati, why do you paddle?
My paddling roots go back to when I lived in Maui and paddled with Napili Canoe Club. I paddle because I love the ocean, and whenever I'm not in it, I want to be. I also love the aloha spirit and I like to challenge myself to do things that require me to grow and change. Not to mention, I love to do things that scare me a little while having as much fun as possible.
My first encounter with the Mayor's Cup was back in 2007 when I was filming and uploading stats from the media boat. It was freezing cold, the conditions were unpredictable and at times dangerous. I watched the top surfskis; Barton and Chalupsky battle it out to the finish. It was nothing short of incredible. I knew that day that I had to do this race. First of all, there were hardly any women competing and that had to change. It was the perfect race for me because it was challenging mentally, physically and required a solid strategy given the three rivers. The changing and converging currents would be a lot of fun to take on, not to mention outrunning monster ferries, planes (yes, I've had planes land next to me while paddling in the East River) and the regular boat traffic of the New York City waterways.
I didn't team up with a partner until the next spring during my first circumnavigation of Manhattan in an OC-6. Around mile 25, Carol Choi, whom I'd been paddling with for a couple of years at New York Outrigger, yelled up to me in seat one and and asked if I'd like to do the Mayor's Cup with her on an OC-2. I had already asked myself if I were to do the race with anyone, who would it be? Carol was my first choice because of her skill and dedication and I knew she would commit to the grueling training schedule I would demand of myself, and most importantly, I was about to have as much fun as possible and I knew we could cause some serious trouble on and off the water together.
Training for the Mayor's Cup is so much fun! One of our greatest strengths as a team is that we both like to do crazy things. Some, I will not mention, but I will share a few highlights that helped us to prepare:
We would often paddle at night and have to out run ferries in the dark...this is excellent training when you are sprinting for your life!
One night, we decided that we should take a different approach to our training and really focus on the "feeling" the boat. We took a good look around for any boat traffic, then closed our eyes and paddled blind in a decent chop on the Hudson. I admit, not the safest thing to do, but it did help us sync together as a team.
My favorite thing that we did during our training was paddling from Montauk Long Island to Block Island, Rhode Island and back. The plan was to piggy back on the OC-1 paddlers doing a one-way run to Block Island. That way, we could offer help if anyone needed it and if we ran into any trouble, someone would be close by. When we got to the beach, the fog was so thick, we couldn't see any other paddlers, plus the waves were pumping and intimidating. We decided to head out anyway and try to find the other paddlers in the fog. Little did we know, they were postponed. A few miles in, we realized our boat was coming unrigged...then, we realized we forgot to grab extra rope. Thankfully, there was one surf strap in our boat and we were able to re-rig our ama from the water. Shortly after that, all the land disappeared into the fog and we were in the middle of the ocean. It was truly the best feeling ever! It was just us and the ocean. The Atlantic would turn from perfectly rolling swells, to washing machine conditions on a dime. We made it to Block Island where we loaded up on protein and snacks, then headed back. The fog was still very heavy when our GPS batteries died. Luckily, the lighthouse had just come into view. I knew after finishing this 42.5 mile run that Carol and I could take on the Mayor's Cup and have an incredible experience that would stay with us forever.
In addition to training, another one of my favorite things about the Mayor's Cup is the unpredictability of the conditions. I love surprises and that's exactly what this race offers! In 2008, Carol and I had the best time taking on the high winds and chop of the Hudson. I am grateful to be able to participate in the Mayor's Cup and to be a part of an incredible paddling community. It truly does change your life and I hope that more women compete in the future. Aloha!
Carol, why do you paddle?
You have to be half mad to be an outrigger paddler in New York City. Most New Yorkers have a hard time believing the sport exists here, that is if they have heard of it. Outrigger paddling is a warm-climate Polynesian sport intended for the big open waters of the Pacific Ocean. It seems sometimes that everything contrives to prevent transplanting the sport to NYC, from the short summer training season to the treacherous ferry-filled Hudson water. And nonetheless here we are, a thriving dedicated group of paddlers known as New York Outrigger (NYO).
When I first came to New York City in 2006, I had raced in OC6s (6-person team outrigger canoes), but I had never paddled an OC1. Independent competitive outrigger paddling was not something that I saw a lot of women doing. But NYO had a few OC1s that club members could use. I tried them and experienced an aspect of New York that few know exists so readily here. The incidental unaccompanied witnessing of a stunning sunrise as the city distantly stirs to life. The tranquility of a mysterious solo excursion in icy water and falling snow. The rollicking epic swells and surf of a threatening hurricane. I was hooked and wanted to be on the water more.
In 2007, observing the NY Mayors Cup surfskis cut through the frigid October water at unbelievable speed, I knew I had to try the race. Yes, I had only been paddling OC1 for one year and the distance was more than I had ever done before. But the race was something I was convinced I could do and do well. Kati Macartney and I trained hard together in 2008 and entered as novice outrigger tandem partners. Though the race was cut short, we managed to place 1st in our category. It's still our quest to win the full-length race.
To me, paddling is a gift and a privilege. I am incredibly lucky to have something that I love to do every day. When I can put my canoe (I own my own now) in the water, I am happy. Fascinated by the vast horizon, I paddle wherever the water will take me.
Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13
Lessons and clinics from the world's best paddlers.
Contact Ray Fusco for more details.
