OCC Member Profile
teamwork and when everyone is on point and following each other, the boat moves together and it’s just a great, smooth feeling. And sometimes when timing might be off, like the guy in front of me might be at a different pace”—Toa usually sits in the one seat or two seat—“and I’m not paying attention, I’m not following him, that could totally offset the entire boat.”
As he continues to build expe- rience, a lot of his ocean knowledge comes from his parents, he says, but also the “aunties and uncles always giving me tips, and from being in the community of paddlers and ocean people,” including the OCC. “I feel like it’s one big community” and its pad- dleboard and canoe races and regatta program have helped to train him in the water. “Uncle Billy Pratt really inspires me—how much he helps with Outrigger and putting events on, like the Duke’s Oceanfest. And also, Auntie Malia Eversole—she’s an amazing vol- leyball player. I hope to get pretty good at volleyball, but I’m just still trying.” Two days after we talked, he finished his second Moloka‘i paddle- board race, this time placing first in the 19 and under division, fifth overall in the stock division, and even beat his dad’s record time set in 1997. Toa’s goals and ability feed each other—so he continues to aim high: “I aspire to be like Duke Kahanamoku and all these great watermen that have come before me, like Kai Lenny.” He hopes for an invitation to the Eddie Aikau someday and to win the Moloka‘i races on the paddleboard, six-man and one- man canoe. He says, “my goals in those sports are winning channels and get- ting my name put in the record books. But also chasing those perfect bumps and having fun along the way.” ■
Amid a few big compe ons, on this par cular day, it was all about ge ing in the water and having fun.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 | AMA 19
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