Every Kalani paddling season is different from the last. For example, paddlers can join or leave, the scheduling changes, and overall performances dip or rise; Thus, Kalani paddling is bound to see new changes in the ‘24-’25 season. This season Kalani paddling has a secret weapon — a new set of coaches.
Thomas Quan (12) is a paddler who has been on the team for years and has seen the team grow and change over the years. He hopes to see changes for the better this season, even going as far as Kalani paddling qualifying for states on the Big Island.
“Hopefully, we win at states,” Quan says. “Kalani has so far only had a few successes so far in paddling these past seasons.”
Teagen Link (10) is a paddler returning to the team after her first year back in the ‘23-’24 season. This season, she has high hopes for the team to do “even better” than last season.
“I expect things to go differently than last season in terms of coaches,” Link says. “I think that this new coach is from Moanalua High School, and they did pretty good last season.”
Donovan Morikone (12) is another long-time returning paddler who is no stranger to the game. His expectations are no short of positive for both the team and the coaches.
“I expect the coaches to learn and grow to be able to teach new students,” Morikone says. “This will help students to grow and develop their skills better.”
Looking back at last season, the paddlers reflect on both the good and the bad. Link shares her memories of her first season and the experience it gave her, the thrill of paddling in itself, and the rewards of self-growth.
“I personally really liked last season because that was my first season ever and I was able to fall in love with paddling,” Link says. “I also enjoyed watching myself grow strong mentally and physically.”
On the flip side of fond memories, the paddlers also look back on what could’ve been done better. More practice and overall effort put into the sport are among many things that weren’t as great as some wished them to be.
“I wished we practiced earlier in general,” Quan says. “It definitely limited our practice range in comparison to other schools.”
At times, it seemed as if the team had lowered its own expectations of itself, thus causing an assortment of issues involving commitment. Morikone recalls this, stating that the team could’ve done “a lot better” last season.
“I think last season had a lot of people who weren’t trying hard enough and this brought down the expectations for the team a bit in my opinion,” Morikone says. “We also had some bad attendance which could have contributed to this as well.”
As for the new coaches from Moanalua High School, the paddlers have mixed feelings. Link shares that she hopes for the new coaches to help the team get more time in the water compared to the frequency of last season’s conditioning on land
“I’m not too sure what to think about having a new coach,” Link says. “I really hope that they’re one of those coaches who believe in building up our stamina in the canoe.”
In addition to the winds of change comes the need to adapt; because of the switch in coaches, the paddlers will need to adapt to the new, unfamiliar style of coaching that they will be presented with in the upcoming season.
“I think it’s fine,” Quan says. “It will take time for me to get used to due to the previous coach being around for so long, though.”
Among other things besides a changeup in practicing and the need to adapt, there also comes the factor of ambition. Morikone shares a positive outlook on the situation and hopes for the paddlers to keep an open mind with the new lineup.“I think it opens up a lot of different learning opportunities,” Morikone says.
“With Kalani gaining 2 coaches this year who are experienced with coaching at a high school level, it might mean that students get a new perspective on paddling.”
