By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE CNMI Outrigger Paddle Racing Association will be holding a clinic on Jan. 27 at the Kilili Beach from 8 a.m. to 12 n.n. to prepare paddlers for the various tournaments the association will be holding this season.
“All paddlers are encouraged to attend this clinic. This clinic will be a refresher course for some and a pointed instruction session for school team coaches on the basic of the sport,” said COPRA’s Rob Jordan in an email to the Variety.
The clinic is divided into four parts with Gill Birnbirch assigned to discuss canoe race culture and maintenance.
Andrew Salas and Justin Andrew will lead the discussions on safety, while Richard Sikkel, Wyman Rechucher and Ann Jordan will be sharing information on steering techniques.
Rob Jordan and Eddie Johnson will be discussing paddling technique.
“Individuals who will be directly involved with the youth paddling season are highly encouraged to attend this clinic,” Rob Jordan said.
Jordan is also encouraging paddlers or any individual who have extra paddles to donate them to participating schools.
Meanwhile, the association will begin the practice session for the youth canoe race on Jan. 30, while the finals is tentatively set for March 10 and 11.
For the adult races, COPRA have discussed a downwind long-distance race from Aqua Resort Club to Kilili, the 9th Mau Fatuul, the World Resort Sprints and the 2007 Tinian Channel-crossing Fiesta.
COPRA meets tonight at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gym to discuss other important matters regarding the association’s programs and tournaments for 2007.
For more information, contact Rob Jordan at 287-9554.