Rick has been in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years. Rick holds a Bachelor of Leisure Studies from the University of Waikato, a Diploma in Sports Studies from The University of Otago and a Certificate in Sports Science from the Auckland Institute of Technology, New Zealand. He is a former gym owner and fitness consultant, during which time he worked with a full range of athletes from novice to Olympic level in a wide variety of sports. His passion for paddling turned into a full-time career when he was hired from New Zealand by False Creek Racing Canoe Club in Vancouver, Canada as a professional paddling coach. During this time, Rick raced OC6 with Team NZ/HI for several years. Also during this period he began making racing canoe paddles.
From Vancouver, Rick moved to Maui where he took on the full-time Head Coach position of the men's program for Hawaiian Canoe Club. Rick coached (and raced with) the men to their first ever gold medal in the Queen Liliuokalani long distance canoe race, as well as the club's best ever top five finish in the Moloka'i Hoe, and eight consecutive Hawaiian Canoe Club State Championship victories. He has also coached 4 Canadian women's crews across the Kaiwi Channel to 4th placings in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
Rick has raced in 8 World Sprint events since 1990. His best V1 result was 4th place in the open men and more recently 4th place in the master men, as well as numerous medals in the V6 and V12.
While living on Maui, Rick began hosting Canoe Camps, coaching hundreds of visiting paddlers between 2001 and 2009 (see camp & clinic testimonials here). After eight years of living the outrigger paddler's dream on the north shore of Maui, Rick and his family returned to Canada, and now reside on Vancouver Island.
From Vancouver, Rick moved to Maui where he took on the full-time Head Coach position of the men's program for Hawaiian Canoe Club. Rick coached (and raced with) the men to their first ever gold medal in the Queen Liliuokalani long distance canoe race, as well as the club's best ever top five finish in the Moloka'i Hoe, and eight consecutive Hawaiian Canoe Club State Championship victories. He has also coached 4 Canadian women's crews across the Kaiwi Channel to 4th placings in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
Rick has raced in 8 World Sprint events since 1990. His best V1 result was 4th place in the open men and more recently 4th place in the master men, as well as numerous medals in the V6 and V12.
While living on Maui, Rick began hosting Canoe Camps, coaching hundreds of visiting paddlers between 2001 and 2009 (see camp & clinic testimonials here). After eight years of living the outrigger paddler's dream on the north shore of Maui, Rick and his family returned to Canada, and now reside on Vancouver Island.
"Rick is very knowledgeable and safety orientated. I appreciated his calm, quiet expertise. Really appreciated weight training demo and handouts. Thanks for including Hawaiian canoe culture [presentation] by Iokepa." - Sharon Jacques, San Diego, 2003 Maui Camp
"Rick is a talented teacher. He made us all feel so welcomed, so that we were immediately comfortable and ready to learn." - Teresa Wilson, San Diego, 2003 Maui Camp
"Your passion for the sport inspires paddlers of all abilities to achieve & push themselves to new heights. Thanks again for your patience & encouragement." - Shannon, 2010
"Quiet waters run deep. Thanks for all your help and support" - Bob, 2007 Maui Camp
Contact Rick: rick@hanahououtrigger.com
"Rick is a talented teacher. He made us all feel so welcomed, so that we were immediately comfortable and ready to learn." - Teresa Wilson, San Diego, 2003 Maui Camp
"Your passion for the sport inspires paddlers of all abilities to achieve & push themselves to new heights. Thanks again for your patience & encouragement." - Shannon, 2010
"Quiet waters run deep. Thanks for all your help and support" - Bob, 2007 Maui Camp
Contact Rick: rick@hanahououtrigger.com