Paddlers’ sibling rivalry evolves into team spirit

Growing up just steps away from Lanikai Beach in Kailua, it was apparent early that brothers John and Jim Foti would gravitate to the ocean.

There were times when the brothers could whistle and summon some of “the best paddlers on the planet,” who lived within blocks of the Foti household.

Not only would the Fotis become avid watermen and ambassadors for the sport of outrigger canoe paddling, but the brothers would credit the positive “molding” of their characters to countless hours spent in the sea and on the beach.

“Growing up in Lanikai, we were so blessed and so lucky to be living across the street from the beach,” said John, 54. “My parents and our brother and sister were paddling, too, and we had access to all sorts of water toys — it was just a natural fit.”

As the youngest of four siblings, Jim, 50, recalls the “struggle and fight” over who would get to use the various family watercraft, including the sought-after yellow four-person canoe.

After enduring occasional dust-ups and misunderstandings, the siblings found common ground as teammates in the canoe. John and Jim grew up within and helped elevate Lanikai Canoe Club, one of Hawaii’s most prestigious paddling organizations.

“Once we realized that we were in the same (open men’s paddling) category, we were finally friends!” said Jim. “Then, I realized that ‘I need this guy.’”

Not only did the Fotis come to enjoy paddling, but they excelled at it. The brothers went on to win five Molokai Hoe championships in the club’s six-man canoe and five Kaiwi Channel Relay championships as a duo, including four straight crowns from 1995 to 1998.

“There’s no conquering the channel, but Jim and I have become great teammates — we have each other’s backs,” John said. “Almost every major race I’ve won, and nearly every major race Jim has won, we’ve been teammates. I couldn’t have done it without him, and I don’t think he could have done it without me.”

Added Jim, “Sometimes I feel like I’m riding his coattails (as individual paddlers). But when we get into a team setting and put our strengths together, that’s what’s done a lot for us in the competitive sense.”

In August the brothers were inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame.

The Fotis were honored for their sustained and outstanding contributions to canoe paddling as well as their international, national and local accolades.

“It started out as little kids laying out on the water, and that gives way to the competitive part and the will to win,” Jim said.

“The camaraderie with your teammates and the rivalries with your enemies, so to speak, and the next thing you know, those enemies are your lifelong friends. Now you’re in it for the love and perpetuation of the sport, and that’s all it is.”

As they’ve both passed the half-century mark as far as age, the Fotis continue to enjoy the competition that paddling within Lanikai’s masters’ ranks provides.

Both men are active in the Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association, which is dedicated to advancing personal excellence and paddling culture through canoe and kayak races.

“I’ve become addicted to this sport, and while there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it from the organizational side that makes you feel old at times, the training aspect and the love and spirit of getting out in the ocean keeps me young,” John said.