By Sophie Hefter
Staff Writer
Mira Costa freshman Ryland Hart placed first in the Men’s Junior Division and 16th overall in the 2016 Kona Brew Kaiwi Channel Solo OC1 Molokai World Championship on May 14 in Hawaii and also placed first in the Kahanamoku Klassic on Saturday.
Hart paddled 32 miles from the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu with his club team, the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club, based in Redondo Beach. He finished 16th out of the 77 total paddlers.
“Paddling in Hawaii was very different in comparison to anything that I have ever done in California, due to the big waves, the long length of the race and the difficult competitors,” Hart said. “My favorite part of the race was crossing the finish line and feeling this rush of accomplishment from achieving something that most people could not.”
Hart trains almost daily with his paddling team and his coach, Danny Ching, at the Redondo Beach Marina. Hart paddles five to 20-mile timed long distance routes daily to improve his endurance. Ching also teaches Hart efficient ways to paddle in order to help Hart get ahead in his races.
“In practice, my teammates and I are always trying new paddling techniques in hopes of getting better times on our races, and I made sure to always put in hard work, which payed off in the end,” Hart said. “Coach Danny is an essential part in teaching me useful paddle techniques that improve my endurance and stamina, which I used in my race.”
Hart has been paddling since the age of six, and he currently trains five days a week. Four months before his race in Hawaii, Hart increased his stamina by paddling long distances in rough waters twice a day.
“To reach my full potential, I had to stay calm and accept that paddling 32 miles would be a challenge,” Hart said. “It was a challenge that I was willing to take and work hard at.”
Hart regularly competes in either the 15-17 age group or the open division about every other weekend.
“I gained a lot of confidence in myself and in my abilities from this race,” Hart said. “If you work hard for something, try your best, and keep improving, there is nothing to be ashamed of, and you should be proud of what you have achieved.”
Hart qualified for his race in Hawaii by receiving a letter of recommendation from Ching, due to Hart’s work ethic and strong paddling skills.
“The support Ryland has gotten from his coaches and teammates has been a major factor in his success as a paddler, but his self drive to succeed has been the biggest factor in his success,” Ryland Hart’s father, Tony Hart, said. “Since Ryland first began paddling, he’s been the one who has wanted to compete in this race and place high.”
Hart will next compete in the New York Liberty Challenge race with the Newport Aquatic Center tomorrow with five other teammates.
“I hope to continue paddling for as long as I can,” Hart said. “Unfortunately, many colleges don’t have paddling teams, but hopefully I can to go to a good school and paddle in more world championships.”
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