Mission:  To continue growing the sport of outrigger canoe paddling worldwide by properly educating paddlers and potential coaches. We are ambassadors of the sport and we encourage each individual in the camp to become an ambassador to those who know less than them.  We strive to enrich the lives of paddlers by instilling the ideals of why we paddle and what makes outrigger such a special and unique sport.  And of course, we aim to teach paddlers something new every day and leave them with smiles on their faces.

We key in on each individual's technical needs.  Video analysis helps to pinpoint each paddler's weak points, and reinforces the positives.  Goals are determined by the level of each paddler or group.  Depending on the paddler, we strive to teach everyone something they can grasp every day.  The focus of these scheduled Foti Camps is on OC-1s and OC-2, however, all but the advanced camp includes OC-6. 

Camps are broken up by experience level.  As a participant, it is very important to select the appropriate experience level to ensure you get the most out of the coaching opportunity.  Camp sizes will be restricted to no more than 6 or 7 paddlers per camp, so register early to get the date that works best for you.

Rank yourself and join the right camp:

1. Never paddled before; might call an outrigger paddle an oar, and a canoe a kayak.
2. Have paddled, but not for long.  Are very novice and have never participated in any races.
3. Have paddled for a year or so.  Maybe have competed in a few local races.  Probably only have paddled OC-6, or maybe have borrowed an OC-1 a few times. 
4. Have paddled for a few years now and are starting to get competitive in either or both OC-6 and OC-1.  Know the basics well, but don’t have a lot of experience in open ocean, and long races.
5. Now you are definitely a paddler; have competed in numerous races over the past 3 or 4 years, and are no longer in the beginning novice category within your club.  You feel you know what you are doing.   Maybe you own an OC-1 and are fairly confident in mild seas.
6. You are a long time member of a club, own an OC-1, and race both OC-1 and OC-6 regularly.  Might have some open ocean experience, but need to improve your skills in the big water and surf.
7. Regatta season, OC-6 distance and OC-1 distance--you do it all.  Have experience in the open ocean, but still haven’t figured out how to make the ocean work for you.  However, in flat races you place respectably well in the OC-1 division.
8. You own five paddles, each for a different paddling condition. You are comfortable in the open ocean, even in good swells, and are able to read the water.  In a good downwind surf run you keep up with the fast group, and attend more competitive races than just the local circuit. 
9. Very good, experienced paddler.  Very competent and confident in the open ocean, including rough water.  Paddle all types of canoes and pretty much kick butt.  Have a solid resume of races done.  And are probably a coach.
10. Molokai Hoe?  No big deal.  You paddle everything well in all conditions, and paddle a lot.  You are the best of the best, with a long resume of success and accomplishments. 

Level 1:

We do not currently run camps for absolute entry level beginners.  However, if you would like a one-on-one introductory clinic, or know of a group interested in an introductory camp, feel free to contact us here and we will build a curriculum that is right for you.

 

Basic camp: Level 2-4                                                                                                                                                                      

Introduction to outrigger paddling in Hawaii; why we paddle, where it came from and who paddles outrigger.  Learn how to handle OC-1 canoes, how to rig and care for them.  Learn to assess weather conditions and ocean safety, as well as tips to avoid trouble on and off the water.  Focus on stroke technique with a video analysis, learn technique drills relevant to your stroke, and spend time on the water practicing.  Learn balance and stability techniques, as well as when and how to apply them.  Introduce yourself to surfing and reading the water.  Learn to steer an OC-6 and the basic fundamentals of OC-6 team dynamics.  Finish the week with some fun paddling, all the while reviewing and practicing the things you learned.  Leave with a better understanding of what paddling should feel and look like, and why it's so fun. 

 

Basic/Intermediate camp: Level 4-6                                                                                                                                           

Follow a similar curriculum to that of the basic camp, but with at a faster, more advanced pace that assumes some of the concepts are merely review.  It will give you either confirmation of what you are doing correct, or the realization that you are not doing it correctly yet.  We will still conduct video reviews and technique drills as needed, but this group should grasp concepts faster, giving us more time on the water and allow us to journey farther from home into more challenging conditions than the basic camp.  However, we won’t cut the ocean safety portion short.  Our aim is to give you the skills that will take you from being a more recreational paddler to a competitive racer.  We’ll cover the same steering lesson as with the basic camp but will accelerate as necessary depending on the paddlers in attendance. We’ll also touch on race goals, preparation and planning.  Leave the week feeling more confident and accomplished a paddler than ever. 

 

Intermediate/advanced camp: Level 6-8                                                                                                                                                     

For those who want to step up their competitive game; we’ll fast forward through the basics and hit the water early.  We will still do the video analysis as you will always learn from analyzing yourself.  We will also maintain a focus on ocean safety every step of the way as well as make sure everyone can steer an OC-6, which is a must to advance into the expert category.  We will hit the blue water and challenging conditions, practicing and refining open ocean surfing and reading the ocean.  We may choose to paddle in various locations based on the needs and desires of the paddlers in attendance.  We will also discuss the finer points of race planning strategies for different types of races (sprint and distance courses, OC-1 vs. OC-6).  Primarily focus on OC-1. 

 

Advanced camp: Level 8-10                                                                                                                                                         

This is a camp specifically engineered for highly experienced paddlers who want to paddle the extreme courses and conditions in Hawaii.  Basics are not necessary and video review is out the window.  This is only a 3 day camp with the majority of the time is spent on the water doing surf runs and/or paddling the “out of bounds”.  This is ideal for the experienced paddler who simply doesn’t know the area and how to get around, and wants good equipment to do it.  OC-1 focus, unless requested otherwise. 

 

Can't make one of the scheduled camps?

If you can't makeone of the scheduled camps and want to schedule private lessons and/or a private camp, please contact us and we will design a lesson or camp specially catered to you and/or your group.

 

When are the camps?

Check the schedule for the camp you would like and book your reservation.

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Full payment due upon registration.

Cancellations 8 weeks prior:  50% refund

Cancellations less than 8 weeks prior: no refund

Registration fees are transferable to other paddlers.