Hilo Bay was full of excitement Sunday morning as athletes participated in the Big Island’s first canoe-paddling race for people with disabilities.
More than 90 athletes and volunteers competed in the King Kamehameha’s Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race and enjoyed a morning full of music, prizes and paddling.
The event, sponsored by The Arc of Hilo, gave dozens of participants the chance to compete in a paddling race for the very first time.
Local canoe clubs donated racing flags and four six-man outriggers, and special equipment was used including Mobi mats on the beach and beach wheelchairs.
Kimo Costa has paddled before, but it was his first time competing against others.
“This was so much fun, it felt like we were flying over the water,” Costa said. “I know I want to do this again.”
Costa won his first race in a canoe with another athlete, Michael Mitts, and four volunteer paddlers.
Silas Eblacas was all smiles when he pulled into the bay after paddling for the first time. He high-fived his teammates and cheered as he met his family.
“It was so fun, and we won the race!” Eblacas exclaimed as he joined his grandmother, Linda Eblacas.
“These events are so important, because it gives youth with disabilities the opportunity to interact with people their age and have an active day,” Eblacas said. “It’s so great seeing them do something new and enjoy it.”
As the races slowed down, participants and spectators enjoyed live music, food vendors and a raffle with thousands of dollars of donated prizes.
“The event today went so well, seeing all the smiles, they said everything,” said Robert Efford, CEO of The Arc of Hilo. “It was so cool to see seasoned paddlers truly teaching and paddling alongside people with disabilities.”
The Arc of Hilo hosted the event with Sammy Sampaga of OSMD Hawaii, Kauila Haumea, the founder of Ohana Wa‘a Laulima, the inclusive canoe club, and Ian Kow of Spark Productions.
Ohana Wa‘a Laulima is the first, completely inclusive canoe club and will be offering free lessons on Wednesdays for people with disabilities.
The Arc hopes to make this an annual event and keep it growing as more people get experience paddling with Ohana Wa‘a Laulima.
“The Arc’s vision is to create meaningful accessible events for residents and visitors alike who can experience the amazing opportunities this island offers,” Efford said.
“We want this event to be even more impactful through the years, so more people with special needs can experience the historically and culturally important Hawaiian sport.”
More information on future races and free paddling lessons can be found at www.hilocanoerace.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com