Around the harbor in a week

Marisa O’Neil

Students in the Newport Aquatic Center Kids’ Paddle Camp took to the

water last week, island-style.

The 8- to 12-year-olds learned to paddle kayaks and sleek

outrigger canoes that are popular on the Hawaiian Islands. And though

Newport Harbor doesn’t have the lush, tropical scenery of Kauai or

Maui, the paddlers had plenty of places to visit.

During the five-day camp, which offers sessions all summer long,

students get to paddle the outrigger or kayaks around Newport Harbor

for fun in the sun.

“We get to paddle to different places and do stuff at the

beaches,” 8-year-old Allex Walters said. “My favorite thing is going

in the outriggers, because if you get tired, you don’t have to paddle

as hard.”

The 16-person boats even held a few passengers, who got a free,

though temporary ride before taking over the paddles. And for those

paddling, relief was only 20 strokes away.

“I like going in the outrigger,” said Brielle Socoloske, 8. “We do

20 [strokes] on each side; then we switch. When I switch, then I

don’t get tired.”

Before hitting the water, campers learned the basics of water

safety, paddling techniques and rules of the boathouse. Each day,

they got to paddle to places like Newport Dunes and the Fun Zone for

some playtime before heading back.

“Going to the Fun Zone is the best,” 9-year-old Sarah Morse said.

“We get to go to the arcades and buy ice cream and stuff.”

On the second day of the camp last week, students donned

lifejackets, hats and sunscreen and headed for the boats. Some of the

more independent-minded paddlers, however, went for the kayaks.

“I like the kayaks,” 12-year-old Harrison Rolfes decided. “They’re

easier to maneuver.”

The teamwork-minded paddlers grabbed ahold of the outrigger. With

some help from the counselors, they dragged the boat, bow first, down

the sands of North Star Beach to the Back Bay’s shore.

Its crew slowly and gingerly climbed in and took off, paddles in

hand, for the day’s adventures.