I learn something everyday.
Over the weekend I learned 2 things - that some of the most physically
impressive athletes in the high school scene are canoe paddlers and wrestlers,
and that I need to get in shape.
At the HHSAA State Canoe Paddling Championships held at
Keehi Lagoon last Friday, I quickly realized that I was on a new turf, being
new to the paddling scene.
Where was the scoreboard?
When was halftime? Are there
locker rooms? Are there any bleachers to
sit on?
Pardon the pun, but I was feeling the “fish out of water”
syndrome. I quickly noticed how all the
schools had their own tents with signs and logos, the scoreboard was a posting
of heats and lane assignments, and since we were at the lagoon, seating was
anywhere you could lay a mat down..
Once the “Here is the clueless rookie” flag was raised above
my head for all to see, I quickly made my way to the water to check out the
races and talk to some of the athletes.
Let me tell you that I was impressed with these paddlers as they came
out of the water. Now I have seen
football players without pads, basketball players, and volleyball players. But these paddlers caught me by
surprise. Most of these young men had
guns that would rival any WWE wrestlers set.
Deltoids, biceps, triceps, you name it.
Flexed and cut while reflecting off the sun with a little bit of sea
water. Let’s not forget the broad
shoulders and the hands that look like you would need large pliers to pry the
paddles out of them.
I’m not short. But I
sure felt like a toddler compared to some of these guys. It seemed like 6-foot paddlers were the norm
with some teams looking like they could battle on the basketball court.
Ladies, there is something to be said about looking strong
and toned. All the ladies at the competition
were of that mold. Tall, athletic young women. Strong arms and legs. It is no wonder why those canoes move so
swiftly over the water.
Now with wrestling, I still think that many in this sport
attain a sort of maniac state in terms of their conditioning and maintaining
weight. But the byproduct of such a strict
regimen is equally impressive. No body
fat anywhere in the Blaisdell Center, site of the HHSAA Wresting State
Championships. Each wrestler was toned,
to the point that they were made of just bones, muscle, and skin.
But wrestlers must use every part of their body. From the head to the toes, these wrestlers,
boys and girls, were cut, not big, yet flexible and agile. On the mats they added quickness,
explosiveness, and hands that looked as if they would not let go if they had a
grip on you.
Hmm…..the paddlers had those hands too. They were also quick and explosive.
I need to do some pushups and eat some yogurt.