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Paddle sports group to strengthen program
High school paddlers compete in last season Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization outrigger canoe race. The Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation has lined up a number of events that would further promote the sport on the island next year. (Jon Perez)
The new officers of the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sport Federation will be working more vigorously to strengthen their programs, especially at the grassroots level.
Newly elected NMNPSF president Justin Andrew, during last week’s Northern Marianas Sports Association meeting, said they have lined up several events for 2016 that would help the group to further promote paddle sports on the island.
“We want to strengthen it and we will be working more to further promote our programs. We are finalizing a calendar of events for 2016,” said Andrew. “We have already lined up a couple of events.”
In the CNMI, paddle sports—outrigger, one-man canoe, and stand up paddle—is not as popular as basketball, baseball, and soccer, but is slowly making its mark with the various events held on the island this year.
The Marianas PaddleFest was held last month with no less than Guam Olympian Sean Pangelinan, who also traces his roots on Saipan, joining the one-day event by holding a free clinic.
There are also 100 active paddlers on the island, while the Saipan Paddling Club has a juniors program with 30 members from different high schools.
Last Dec. 5, NMNPSF held a racing event that had a good turnout. They will also hold a six-man canoe memorial race on Jan. 30 at the Sandy Beach in Chalan Kanoa.
Meanwhile, Andrew has asked NMSA for any assistance to address the group’s problem on the shortage of canoes.
“There used to be six but now there are only four canoes that can be used after Typhoon Soudelor damaged two. What we need is the same type of canoes that we have been using,” said Andrew.
NMSA president Mike White agreed to help NMNPSF and also instructed them to start preparing for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games.
Outrigger-canoe is one of the 12 proposed sports to be played when Saipan hosts the trimmed down version of the quadrennial event.
“Outrigger canoe is an important part of the CNMI, culturally. NMSA is willing to help you get the equipment. All you have to do is submit a detailed proposal of what you need,” said White.
