History of Lanakila Outrigger Club

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After Catalina 2000, Norman Meidl, with about 13 years experience starting with the Junior program, was appointed the next men's coach. Unfortunately after one season, Norm retired. But during his tenure, he managed to keep true to his goal which was, "Everyone paddles, whether elite or recreational." Much of his coaching was the ability to listen to suggestions and make everyone, from elite to novice, feel like an important part of the team.

Except for the most important races, his top teams were often mixed with one or two second tier paddlers whom he rewarded for extra effort.. He was a very good people manager. When away on work related trips, Norman wrote out the schedules, delegated the training to others with experience and called frequently to discuss it. His system worked well and his teams were successful.

Women Coach Jennifer Buckley retires at end of 2000

It had been a great coaching career and Jennifer's teams had earned respectability among other coaches, usually winning or placing among the top contenders. Jennifer's teams excelled under her guidance. She prepared well and held everyone responsible for their own initiative and hard work. Her fair, but well defined system propelled women to strive harder. She did everything she asked of others, including coaching from the sidelines while still pregnant with her first child.

With her daughter Caitlin already becoming mobile, they decided it was time to retire and increase the population by another one. Jennifer and husband John had plans to move inland. During 2000, her last season, she groomed Jill Schooler, the next incoming coach. By the end of the season, Jennifer and Jill blended a core of excellent novice athletes into the top team for the coming year..

New women's coach, Jill Schooler 2001

In 2001, Jill Schooler was appointed as the new women's coach. Jill began her coaching career after 13 years of paddling experience. Utilizing her experience, Jill confidently installed her own program. The first thing she did was recruit heavily for new recruits. Then she instilled a higher sense of OC1 training amongst her women. She urged the club to buy several more OC1's and soon Jill (politely) pressured her best women to participate in OC1 races during the winter. After that, it was more hard work and long hours.

The first races, her top team finished 2nd by seconds, but it didn't take long afterwards that they were winning more often than not. Internationally, she coached her team to a 3rd in Catalina and 7th overall in Molokai. She had taken only one season to establish a new club record for the women. As a new coach, Jill's excellent first season, hopefully will continue to grow in the coming years

- Mahalo, Al Ching

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