Haven’t we all watched Hawaii 5 0, or who could forget Magnum p.i. Set in the sun kissed islands of Hawaii. Well today we are at the world-famous beach of Waikiki to ride the swell on an outrigger. Dada da dum, dada dada dum, that memorable theme that is so entrenched in Honolulu’s surf and t.v. culture, springs to mind as we make our way on to the glistening sands of Waikiki.
Standing on the sands are the great outriggers of Waikiki. The Hawaiians perfected the outrigger by adding a stabilizer to the side of their canoes to make it easier to paddle, we were here to live like the inhabitants of this picturesque island.
There was 4 of us rowing, Lou, her son Ryan, his partner Amanda and myself, with 2 suntanned instructors steering the great canoe.
With brief instructions we set off, pushing the surprisingly heavy craft through the hot sand made our bodies glisten in the sun. We slid into blue water with the waves crashing around us, then the shout “paddle, paddle until you can’t stop…” came from the taskmasters. We alternated every 5 strokes to keep the surprisingly stable craft on course, as we paddled, I stole a glance over my shoulder at the dwindling majestic hotels, shimmering in the golden sunrays.
The task master ordered paddles up, his experienced eyes scanning the horizon for our ride into shore. As we caught our breath other board riders were encroaching on our territory, the task master gave warning “we are coming in ,when we go for it everyone out of the way, no mercy given…”.If I was a board rider I would heed his ominous warning.
Then he stood up his callused hands above his eyes he had found what we had come for. Like a modern-day Ahab, he had found our white whale. I followed his gaze and saw a white wall of water encroaching on us. Perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me, but it looked twice the size he said it was.
We readied our paddles “not yet…” he bellowed “wait…wait...” The white monster was nearly upon us, worried glances were exchanged among us “Go Go paddle with all your might…” he implored us. Lou’s paddle was stabbing the water, the rest of us following her lead as we shot in front of the hungry beast as it tried to envelop us, but fear makes you find resolve you didn’t know you had.
We were chased all the way back to shore, riding high on the tamed beast, the board riders parting like the Red Sea
As we ground to a halt on the white sand, we slumped over gasping for breath “ready to do it again?” said our smiling taskmaster “Yes captain” we said in unison ,smiling faces all around ,as we savoured our great adventure in taming the great beast of Waikiki Beach.