From five blind paddlers completing an 18-mile race to a growing Ohana of vision-impaired paddlers

Makapo Aquatics started in 2006 when five blind men, led by John Chavez, set out to compete in the 18-mile Queen Liliuokalani Outrigger Canoe race in Kona, Hawaii. Trained by Billy Whitford, Executive Director of the Newport Aquatic Center, the team made history as the first all-blind group to complete the race. Their time of 3 hours and 10 minutes may have placed them last, but their achievement was groundbreaking.

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Inspired by this achievement, John and RJ De Rama founded the Orange County Makapo Aquatics Project to bring outrigger paddling to the blind community. Their first outreach event in 2007 brought children from the Braille Institute to experience paddling for the first time. There wasn't a face without a smile by the end of the day.

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Since then, Makapo has expanded its programs to serve people of all ages and abilities, using their experiences with blind athletes to create inclusive, empowering paddling opportunities for a broader community. Makapo continues to foster connection and joy through the sport of outrigger paddling.