Nā ‘Ōpio Kids Paddling

We are excited to kick off the 2026-2027 Nā ‘Ōpio Season for youth paddlers. Kaiheo is a program sponsored by Windward Kai Canoe Club and is part of the Nā ‘Ōpio Racing Association, an affiliate member of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.

During the Nā ʻOpio Season, clubs gather between October and February to train and compete against other clubs at regattas beginning in January. Students have the opportunity to race in both six-man and single-man canoes. Regattas run from January through the last Saturday in February 2027, and your child needs to be available to race on Saturdays.

Kids can compete in regattas in both OC6 and OC1 races.

Kaiheo focuses on bringing the tradition, culture, and sport of Hawaiian Outrigger paddling to the youth of Hawai'i and is open to kids in Grades 3 through 12. The program accepts youth paddlers, with or without paddling experience, and our coaches will work with youth at any level along their paddling journey.

To register your child, please complete the registration form at the bottom of this page. Mahalo!

Practices run 1 hour from 4pm-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents are welcome to stay and watch practice.

At the Windward Kai Canoe Club in Kailua, located on the canal right before you cross over the bridge heading towards Kailua Beach Park. You will see our canoes on the canal and can enter the parking lot right before the bridge.

That’s okay. If you are still interested, either contact the coaches directly via the contact information below or complete the registration, and the coach will get back to you. Also, if you missed the Na Opio season, the HCRA regatta season begins practicing right after Na Opio in March. It is open to paddlers 8 years and older, including adults with or without experience.

That’s okay. Feel free to contact one of the coaches via phone or email listed below or stop by one of our practices on Tuesday or Thursday at 4pm to come see what it’s all about. If space is available, the coaches may let your child try paddling in a canoe.

At Kaiheo, it is our goal to allow every paddler to have the experience of racing in regattas. Our mission is to provide paddling opportunities for both new and returning paddlers seeking more experience while balancing the age groups. We will do our best, based on the age mix of the children, to include them in regattas, and this is why your child needs to make regatta days so all the kids can race.

We understand. Please just make sure to let the coaches know of any conflict with practice or regattas as far in advance as possible.

We have adult programs as well. We begin practicing for the regatta season in March of each year, and the season runs through August. It is open to paddlers 8 years and older, including adults with or without experience. If you want to learn more, head over to our contact us page and complete the form, or give coach a call.

Regattas are held on Saturdays between December and February, and your child must be available to race on Saturdays.

Complete the form below with your child's information and parent’s email and phone, and one of the coaches will be in contact with you. You can also stop by the Windward Kai Canoe Club on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday at 4pm at the start of practice.

Regattas are on Saturdays between December and February, and your child needs to be available to race on Saturdays.

Please be sure your youth paddler can make the commitment to this schedule prior to registering. We would like to see keiki who won’t miss out on essential training days and can be available to race once regattas start.

Summer paddling season for Keiki (kids) grades 3^rd through 12^th begins in March and runs through August. Practices begin in March and Saturday regattas run from May through August.

Windward Kai focuses on bringing the tradition, culture, and sport of Hawaiian Outrigger paddling to the youth of Hawai'i and is open to kids in Grades 3 through 12. The program accepts youth paddlers, with or without paddling experience, and our coaches will work with youth at any level along their paddling journey.

Registration for Summer Paddling Season opens around February. You can either check back or visit our contact page to be added to our email list to receive updates when registration opens.