Matias “Mati” Durkin ’23, John “Jack” Kilpatrick ’23, Sebastian Ako ’23 and Stryker Scales ’23 give their all during canoe paddling practice. “Paddling is the ultimate team sport,” says Rocky Higgins ’68 Varsity Head Coach. “Once the set crew leaves the shoreline and heads to the starting line they must become self-reliant because there are no allowances for substitutions, nor is outside coaching allowed.” To be effective canoe paddlers, the student-athletes have to build strong communication skills and orchestrate a shared paddling rhythm. In 2023 Punahou’s team won the the ILH and the HHSAA State Championships.
Photo by Todd Funasaki ’89