TIM Asaivao, president of Marianas Outrigger Club, said two va’a teams — a men’s crew of 12 and a women’s crew of 12 — will paddle across the Saipan-Tinian Channel on May 3 and host a youth paddling workshop at Tachogna Beach later that day. This is the second year in a row that MOC has conducted a channel crossing. Asaivao said they are bringing two va’a, or Hawaiian-style outrigger paddling canoes, to Tinian. A va’a holds a crew of six. MOC will depart Kilili Beach in the early morning hours of May 3, cross the channel and “execute a water change at the 10-mile mark outside of Chulu Beach of Tinian,” Asaivao said. A water change is when a six-person crew inside the va’a hops out of the canoe, allowing a fresh crew of paddlers waiting in the open ocean to take their place. “To execute the water change, the second men’s and women’s crews will jump off the chase boat and tread water while the canoes paddle towards them,” Asaivao said. “Then the crews on the canoes will exit the right side of the canoes and the paddlers in the water will enter on the left side where the ama [outrigger float] is and continue paddling on.” At Tachogna Beach, MOC will host a paddling workshop from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The workshop is open to individuals between the ages of 8 and 17. They will learn techniques, teamwork, and safety. An adult guardian must be present at the workshop at all times. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/MOC-paddling “We can have two full boats on the water while the others are receiving instruction on land,” Asaivao said. “We have a very experienced coach in Jason Tarkong, who led the clinic last year as well. Also, both men and women’s teams will be there in case the kids prefer one or the other.” Asaivao said May 3 was selected as the workshop date to allow MOC paddlers time to attend the San Jose Fiesta. Asaivao recalls seeing a va’a on Tinian in the past, but is not aware of any current va’a on Tinian at the moment. He said the search remains for a “canoe steward” on island who could help keep a va’a on Tinian permanently. “To revive the sport on Tinian a steward would first have to be identified,” he said. “Someone who knows the sport, has knowledge of the water, and can teach others about paddling while keeping everyone safe. There is an upfront cost of paddles, but other than that the sport is very minimal. Canoes, paddles, and just add water.” He invites the Tinian youth to enjoy the “healing power of the ocean.” “It’s something that you have to experience for yourself,” he said. “Not to take away from any other sports, but there’s something about being out on the water that hits a little different. Paddlers often refer to it as ‘salt water therapy.’ To the people of Tinian, please come on down to Tachogna Beach, bring your kids, beach chairs and sunblock and spend a couple hours with us enjoying the sport of paddling. Un dangkulo na si yu’os ma’ase!”