Kahnawà:ke athletes competing at international race in Hawaii

Five crews from Kahnawà:ke’s Onake Paddling Club — south of Montreal — are hoping to paddle their way to victory at a three-hour long race in Hawaii next month.

It’s known as the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race: the Queen Lili’uokalani race.

“We’re going to meet people from all over the world,” said Sharon Rice, manager of the club. “Our goal, I guess, is to try and always become a better paddlers.”

Rice began paddling at the club one year after it opened in 1972. It’ll be her fifth time at the international race but for many athletes, it’ll be their first.

“This has been a great opportunity to be able to go and travel,” said Rotshennón:ni Two-Axe, coach and athlete at the Onake Paddling Club. “and compete with all of my friends, family.”

“These are the conditions that we train in,” he added. “Which are much calmer than we’re expecting once we get to the ocean.”

Through the decades, athletes from the club – including Rice – have competed in the Canada Games.

As for athlete, Alwyn Morris, he brought home gold and bronze medals from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

“We’re still here, and we’re still providing activity to the community,” said Rice. “And to the families and to the kids who want to use it.”

The teams participating, have been training on the water, in the gym and more.

They’ve been doing this for over 10 months now, preparing for the big moment.

“We have a teen girls boat going,” explained Rice. “We have a men’s boat, and we have three women’s boats.”

“That’s pretty impressive for a small club, from a small community.”

The race is set to host over 2,500 paddlers from all over the world — and takes place Labour Day weekend from Aug. 29, to Sept. 2.

“We’re showcasing to our youth and our community that we can do it,” said Rice. “And were doing it.”