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The Voyagers: Ana Varu Rediected

Mother nature cuts proa voyage short, journey ends in Palau

Jerick Sablan, jpsablan@guampdn.com 9:52 a.m. ChST April 18, 2016

 

Two men traveling on a Chamorro style proa from Taiwan to Guam had a rough journey at sea, which ended in Palau. Ignacio R. “Nash” Camacho, a local traditional seafarer, and Burghard Pieske, a German sailor, were attempting to make the more than 1,000-mile trip from Taiwan to Guam on the Ana Varu, a boat made with the design of the ancient Chamorro proa. “It was a bad journey. It was not fun. It wasn’t pleasant. Every moment was fighting for survival,” Camacho said. They had to fight constant bad winds, high waves and strong currents, he added. Though their goal was Guam, Pieske said Mother Nature made other plans for them, cutting their journey short in Palau.

“It was overwhelming. It was fascinating. It was horrible. It was terrible,” Pieske said about the trip. The journey was exhausting, since it was almost impossible to sleep on the rough seas. Both men thanked everyone who helped them get to land safely in Palau. The men were out at sea for more than 15 days. They were warmly greeted in Palau and were well taken care of, Camacho said. The two men landed in Palau on April 4 and flew back to Guam Wednesday. The welcome from all officials, coordinated by the efforts of Palau Community College President Patrick Tellei and so many others, has a lifelong debt of gratitude from Camacho, Pieske and their families, Camacho said.

Although the voyagers weren’t able to complete their journey to Guam, Camacho said the trip was still a success. “We have absolute confidence that our mission is a success. We have highlighted the journeys of our common ancestors’ migration despite not reaching Guam directly,” he said. The men left Taiwan on March 19. The Taiwan government and people were very supportive of the men, Pieske said. In fact, they held a mini festival for them, with lots of dancing and food. The Ana Varu was built of modern materials, but used ancient islander wisdom and design, Pieske said. That was very valuable for the trip, because it was used thousands of years ago though with more natural materials. Camacho said the canoe’s structure made it possible to survive the beating from the sea. But the boat did take some damage and will need to be fixed before it goes back into the water. “It was the perfection of our people that brought us through the worst of storms,” he said. (Story continues below photo.)

Camacho added he was humbled that in this day and age with modern technology, they still struggled to make their way to Guam. He could only imagine what his Chamorro ancestors felt having none of that technology to help in navigating the ocean. “I can’t help but think it doesn’t compare to the accomplishments of our ancestors in their day,” he said. Camacho also said it was sad that this journey comes hundreds of years after the last long voyage on sea because of colonization that stopped seafaring from happening on the islands. The loss of seafaring culture is a tragedy, Camacho said, but he’s hopeful the trip will inspire others to learn and take on seafaring.

“We can still do it. We need to revive it and use it and educate ourselves and inspire ourselves,” he said. Pieske said it was unbelievable and amazing that the ancient islanders were able to make such long journeys on nothing more than natural materials. “After this trip, I admire these ancient seafarers much more than before,” he said.

The Ana Varu will stay in Guam and go through repairs. The seafarers are both excited for all the other islanders who will be here for the Festival of Pacific Arts being hosted on island from May 22 to June 4

JUST ADD WATER: Guam Fire Rescue

Much respect to these heros and all Fire Fighters out there.

Product Development with Guam Fire Rescue and their custom Fokai Dryfit Hoodie and Quickdries.

 

 

 

 

GUAHAN NAPU REVISITED:

WHAT IS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF GUAHAN NAPU?

To help our local athletes excel in competition on and off island and to provide a voice for our surfing community.

WHY WAS GUAHAN NAPU STARTED AND WHO STARTED IT?
Guajan Napu was started for surfing to be recognized by our community.

HOW MANY EVENTS HAS GUAHAN NAPU HOSTED AND WHAT ARE SOME OF ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

7 Events at Boat Basin and 9 Evetns at Ricks Reef. Through profits raised by these events an d our sponsors we have been able to send athletes to Hawaii, Japan, New Caledonia, and most recently Fiji where we brought back several silver , bronze, and gold medals..

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR HURDLES FOR FORMING/MAINTAINING GUAHAN NAPU?

Electing board members and building things from scratch. Finding financing for our projects so to speak.

GIVEN THE STORIES OF LOCALISM ON GUAM AND THE DESIRE TO ISOLATE GUAM FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD AS A SURFING DESTINATION, HOW DOES THAT PLAY OUT IN THE ROLE OF STIMULATING GUAM’S COMPETITIVE SURFING?

Guam is commited to provide wave riding venues for local athletes and helping them adjust to the standards in larger events outside of Guam. As a voice for Guam surfing., We must protect our local surfers opinions on how Guam’s surfing is promoted.

WE HEAR THAT GUAHAN NAPU NOW FALLS UNDER THE GNOC…WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GUAM SURFING?

It means were going to produce and develop athletes with the assistance of the GNOC. Sending athletes to the mini-games, South Pacific Games, and if ever-available—the Olympics. It helps our local representatives to find sponsors.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR GUAHAN NAPU?
Complete all surfing events for the season.
Continue to keep giving surfers events to excel

HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP?
Come by the events, voice opinions, and keep the support coming. THANK YOU!!!

ANY LAST WORDS?
Respect the Lcoals…wherever you go to surf!

Hafa Series 2/7/16: Full Report

5-8YRS OLD SHORTBOARD OPEN:
1ST     MIA LEE- FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
2ND     DINA SORIANO (JIM MURPHY’S GRANDDAUGHTER)
3RD     KAYA FITZGERALD (BRIAN AND TAMAMI FITZGERALD’S DAUGHTER)
4TH     EMMA ROSEN- FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
5H      KENNY ALEXANDER- MICHELLE PIER AND ROBBY’S SON, EVERY’S YOUNGER BROTHER

9-11 YRS OLD SHORTBOARD OPEN: BOYS
1ST     ALFRED LEON GUERRERO- AJ IS HIS NICKNAME, PARENTS VANESSA AND ALFRED LEON GUERRERO, FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
2ND NOA MENDIOLA
3RD TAYLOR BRUCH- HARVEST STUDENT ( HEARING IMPAIRED CAN READ LIPS) FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
4TH JIO PARK- FRED’S STUDENT FROM KOREA, FIRST TIME COMPETITOR

9-11 YRS OLD SHORTBOARD OPEN: GIRLS
1ST     PHILICITA RIVERA-REGINA RIVERA’S DAUGHTER, FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
2ND RYLEE PURCELL- CHEYNE & EJ PURCELL’S DAUGHTER, FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
3RD LIA PARK-FRED’S STUDENT, FIRST TIME COMPETITOR

12-14YRS OLD SHORTBOARD OPEN
1ST AUSTIA MENDIOLA- MIKE MENDIOLA & MICHELLE CEPEDA DAUGHTER, SURFED IN 2 MONSTER ENERGY COMPS AND 2 RICKS CLASSIC
2ND IRIE FITZGERALD-BRIAN AND TAMAMI FITZGERALD’S DAUGHTER, SURFED IN 1 MONSTER ENERGY AND 1 RICKS CLASSIC
3RD MINAMI CRAMER- JOHN AND YOSHI CRAMER’S DAUGHTER, SURFED IN 2 RICKS CLASSIC
4TH ANGELEA AGUILAR-GARY AND TINA AGUILAR DAUGHTER, SURFED IN THE PHILIPPINES LAST SUMMER CONTEST

OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN 12-14YRS OLD SHORTBOARD OPEN:
TYLEE SHEPERD
MAILE KLOPPENBERG
MAGGIE

YOUTH LONGBOARD
1ST NOA MENDIOLA
2ND IRIE FITZGERALD
3RD ANGEL LEA AGUILAR
4TH MINAMI CRAMER
5TH TYLEE SHEPERD: CHRIS AND ICHIE SHEPERD’S DAUGHTER

FEMALE LONGBOARD
1ST ANGEL LEA AGUILAR
2ND MAE MENDIOLA
3RD AUSTIA MENDIOLA
4TH IRIE FITZGERALD

FEMALE SHORTBOARD AND FUNBOARD
1ST IRIE FITZGERALD
2ND AUSTIA MENDIOLA
3RD MAE MENDIOLA
4TH MAILE KLOPPENBERG-MOTHER IS DELISA KLOPPENBERG, FRED’S STUDENT , FIRST TIME COMPETITOR

MALE LONGBOARD
1ST SHANE PIER
2ND JARED GOGUE
3RD KENNY PIER
4TH RICHMOND ARCIAGA

FokaiElements:WATER

Hafa Adai,

Let me start by saying that I consider myself forever a student in the water and though I feel I’m not anyone to say—im going to say it anyways. In a 32mile long island where the beach is inevitable and never more than 30minutes away—Its in our islands best favor to make a harder push for improved water safety awareness and water safety education.

My name is Roman Dela Cruz and aside from bodyboarding for the past 25years I have been standup paddling TumonBay the past 5 just as often if not more than anybody else and after seeing a growing interest– just wanted to give some proper caution to folks possibly looking into surfing those waters and also for some insight on that reefline in general.
.
I was paddle surfing over the reef at Tumon Bay this past weekend and had to run the risk of spoiling what might’ve been some serious fun when aggressively advising 3 younger paddlers (in 2kayaks) to leave and to go back towards shore. I don’t really care to yell at anyone and generally hate aggression towards people but had to take drastic action because of a drastic situation. You were heading towards the real impact zone, enroute to freak sets that were much bigger than they might have appeared from shore. Maybe you could’ve landed a backflip gloriously for a photo finish and story of a lifetime or you could’ve been enroute to a violent thrashing between coral heads. The kayak that you capsized would’ve been a hundred times more difficult to turnover in the whitewash even if you could’ve held on to it, the tide was fast pulling out and there was less than an hour left of sunlight..

\I’m not sure if it was the same bunch that came back out regardless or if it was a different one but though you did catch some nice waves true—you were extremely lucky that the bigger ones had backed off because the waves you caught and the place you were waiting were done so in the danger zone.

As inviting as the waves might look and as sunny as the sky might’ve be—it’s a real bad call to chance those waves unless you are fully prepared for the dangers that come with it.
Undercurrents most aren’t aware ,a razor sharp coral reef, and the unbelievable power of sizeable surf can turn a moment of paradise into a state of panic and disaster in a second. The reef were dealing with has already scarred countless strips of human flesh(including mine)—and just yards away from another surf spot on the reef that unfortunately claimed the lives of two young paddlers barely a year ago January 2nd of 2011.

It has been more than a year since this heartfelt tragedy and unfortunately still—many of us haven’t learned from a mistake too often made—the underestimation of our surrounding reefs and waters. Almost a year to the date—our papers almost had to write the headlines of another 2 tragedies in Tumon Bay—this time with 2 standup paddlers last Saturday afternoon. Had it not been for the fine work of our Department of Parks and Recreation lifeguards—we might’ve been starting the new year with another hard lesson in water safety.
Launching off the same beach on the first weekend of the new year—with waves double overhead over the reef and the tide outgoing…without the sensibility to at least have a leash to your board is an extremely bad decision. Obviously we all still need a lot of work…
The dangers of the reefline at Tumon Bay are no joke when its flat and can be a real monster, especially when waves are in that picture. In the midst of enjoying the paradise of where America’s Day begins–We gotta try to remember to not allow alcohol and the spirit of adventure cloud the air of common sense. Death defying acts unfortunately don’t always defy death but if adventure must be our pursuit then we should at least go to far measures to be prepared to do so.

When approaching water—remember that we are dealing with something very much alive and something very much capable. It moves in many ways, and what works for uscan just as easily work against us and vice versa. To arrive properly into its dynamics it’s always best to have a god understanding and/or to get a qualifiable opinion of its current conditions. If you’re planning a day at the beach—at least understand what the tides are doing. Its on page 6 of the pdn or if youre frequent—keep a tide chart handy. Know what time the sun is setting so youre not venturing into the darkness and always always always keep an eye on the kids. It’s not much but its definitely a start.

Tumon Bay seems to be more active than ever…The paddlers are blazing up and down the coast, as they avoid swimmers getting their, while skimboarders slide along the beach where friends and families might be barbecuing. The hotels are having their dinner shows, the tourists are taking their photos, while a growing amount of runners continue to enjoy the view as the stand up paddlers happily enjoy the best seat in the house (haha)…

The waters of Tumon Bay are truly a place to be but, like anywhere else, are to be done so with extreme caution. From the reef –the lifeguard towers are a lot further than they look and people far and away cant necessarily recognize your screams of help if a situation over the reef goes bad. When in doubt—don’t go out. You’ll live to ride another day.

Im not gonna lie—I’m the guiltiest guy of going over that reef when its cranking but im putting in a ton of work and preparation before doing so…and still im just asvulnerable. Suuuuper stoked on Tumon Bay and its waters…and knowing for sure that its best enjoyed when done so responsibly, preparedly, and in effect truly respectfully.

Lets not wait for another tragedy and progressively exercise better awareness in water-safety to pave the way for less if not zero tragedies in the future and to work hard to develop the tools and skills—for a better chance to turn the monster into majesty, for a better understanding of what to do when a situation goes bad, and for the humility and sensibility to sometimes just sit back, watch, and appreciate.

Tumon Bay Resident
Concerned Citizen

OnDeck:23rdAnnualCocosCrossing

Guam’s premier long distance swim event The 23rdAnnualCocos Crossing is on deck  for May23rd, 2013.

Registration for the 2.5 and 5mile events begin@Hornet Sportin Goods on May 1st.

Great Friday: Good Vibrations

One of the many things to do visiting Guam and the best way to do so  , especially along sacred shores is to do so with Respect. Its very easy to remain complacent and take Life for Granted. Sure we have to be productive@work but it also does a body,mind, and Spirit good to be productive@play. “Using theForce“  here with a first person  TimeLapse Slideshow with Friends&Family.

Fokai Amphibious Division: Guam Waterman’s Club

Video edit on Kahulo’ Water Safety Outreach event by Johnny H and 66 degrees

Homebase: Guam Waterman’s Club

Paradise living and water/Spiritfitness training at 13N 144E. Thank you my Lord!
Music Video Edit by Andy Lee of the Guam Waterman’s Club

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