Kihei Canoe Club is one of a few outrigger canoe racing clubs in Hawaii with a significant percentage of members interested primarily in recreational paddling. Most clubs focus on seasonal racing. KCC's recreational paddling program welcomes, trains and supports any Maui full to part time resident, even those who have never put a paddle in the water. KCC provides scheduled recreational paddling 5-7 days a week, twelve months a year. Participants include adult men and women of all ages and physical condition. Each participant must be able to swim, be capable of engaging in moderate exercise and be able to get in and out of the canoe without assistance. Recreational paddling is a low-impact aerobic exercise. Paddlers are taught that each person controls the amount of effort applied and can therefore pace themselves according to individual needs and desires.
Kihei Canoe Club members may participate in
- Scheduled recreational paddling on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please be at the club no later than 6:30am to get into a crew and help move canoes. Canoes depart the beach at 7:00am and return between 8:00am - 8:30am, depending on conditions and crew mix. Typical recreational paddles will be 3 to 8 miles in length.
- Wednesday recreational paddles may offer optional training on a variety of topics.
- Friday recreational paddles may be for a longer distance - typically from the club to Maalaea harbor or Cove Park.
- Sunday paddles are casual and often have snorkeling at some of the reefs and wrecks near the club.
- Longer paddling events, usually combined with snorkeling, are scheduled depending on other events, weather, and whale season. Check the club Calendar and News for dates and times.
- Sunset / Full Moon paddles are scheduled to coincide with the Akua moon phase. They typically occur about 45 minutes before sunset with a return to the club under the moon about 30 minutes later.
- Periodically, KCC has other types of recreational paddling events. These are announced to club members and usually combine paddling with other activities or educational opportunities. Check the club News for dates and times.