HONOLULU (KHON2) — From practice to the Pacific, Hawaiian Canoe Club Coach Aaron Brummel shared how he got his crew ready for race day.
Aaron Brummel has a long history of being a coach and competitor with the Hawaiian Canoe Club.
“I became a member of the Hawaiian Canoe Club back in 2005. I was a novice paddler and paddled in the men’s program and then just kind of fell into a coaching role, probably around 2010,” Brummel said. “So basically, been paddling or coaching the open women’s division roughly for the past 15 years.”
Aaron’s own experiences crossing the Kai’wi Channel have steered his approach to coaching.
“I think anytime you can cross the Kai’wi Channel, whether it be in a canoe or on an escort boat, you’re learning something new every time. And just being able to bring that knowledge with you the next time around is really priceless,” Brummel said.
This crew has spent countless hours preparing for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
“It’s this months-long process… starting before you get into the regatta season, you’re just laying your foundation and things then roll into distance season,” Brummel said. “Ultimately, you’re building fitness levels, you’re dialing in technique, you’re trying to build camaraderie with the girls, and just when it comes time for Na Wahine O Ke Kai, it’s really just like fixing and fine-tuning all the little things that come with a five, six, or seven-hour race.”
Every member of the team is not just showing up for themselves, but also for one another.
“We’re down there three or four nights a week for probably half a year… everybody’s making a sacrifice to be out there, and you know everyone’s paddling for each other,” Brummel said.
Crews from around the world have been preparing for their chance to cross the Kai’wi Channel.
“There’s a lot of solid clubs, there’s a lot of solid teams out there this year, but you know, we don’t mind being the underdog,” Brummel said. “Anything can happen in the Channel, so just as long as we give ourselves a chance and a shot, then that’s all we care about.”
In last year’s race, Aaron and his crew made waves — marking their best finish in club history, coming in third overall.
“We were with the leaders second off the start… and really had a battle the whole race,” Brummel said. “Last year was super cool just to have this race within a race and to finish how we did.”
But no matter what happens this year, Aaron is just happy to be doing it with his team.
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“Anytime I get to cross with these women is special. We train so hard, they train so hard, and I give them all the credit in the world. I wish them the best of luck, and they know that I’ll be right there with them,” Brummel said.
Make sure to tune in on Sunday, Sept. 28, for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai airing live on KHII.