THE four traditional canoes that sailed around Saipan on April 24 and 25 came up against rough waters off the Banzai Cliff area, Variety learned.
500 Sails’ Neni, Anaguan and Richard Seman had to be towed by a chase boat, but Auntie Oba managed to reach Unai Bapot in Laolao Bay.
At the helm of the Auntie Oba was Antonio “Tony” Piailug, the son of legendary traditional navigator Mau Piailug (1932-2010).
“It’s good to know the waters around the island before you sail,” Tony Piailug said on Monday.
“You have to understand where the wind is coming from, and know which point of the island you are aiming for — that will take you to your destination faster or earlier than what you planned for,” he added.
For longer sea voyages, he said “canoes need to be bigger for supplies, and to make sure we stay dry.”
Three other master navigators — Sesario Sewralur, Mario Benito, and Cecilio Raiukiulipiy — were at the helm of the other sailing canoes. All four canoes departed Smiling Cove Marina Sunday morning and headed to Unai Bapot in Laolao Bay. From there they sailed to Guma Sakman in Susupe on Monday.
Andrea Carr, one of the crew members of Anaguan, said the voyage around the island was “a learning experience.”
She added, “You have to be open-minded about doing things — and not to be strict and say this is the only way to do things.”
She said teamwork is important in sailing a traditional canoe. “We have to know our roles, and at the same time to jump into another crew member’s role. We have to trust each other, and we have to say something if we notice anything.”
Carr said she is comfortable sailing a traditional canoe, but as for calling the shots — “that takes experience.”
She said their paddle fell in the water twice — when they started their voyage, and on their way back. “We had to jump in the water to retrieve it. The paddle is important, especially in shallow water,” she added.
“All in all, it was a good sailing experience. I am looking forward to more sailing and voyages in the future,” she said.
500 Sails organized the sailing activity as part of its goal to teach the younger generation their ancestors’ seafaring traditions.
500 Sails program coordinator April Repeki is inviting community members to visit Guma Sakman in Susupe and experience its Sunday sails program.
“We give free rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We also have other programs such as cultural dancing every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” Repeki added.
“Come and get to know our traditional navigators, our islands’ seafaring traditions, and see what we are all about,” Repeki said.
“It’s not just swimming, building canoes, and sailing then — we’re also about being a family,” she added.
Antonio “Tony” Piailug, son of legendary navigator Mau Piailug, was one of the master navigators who sailed around Saipan on April 24 and 25.
Andrea Carr is one of Anaguan’s crew members.
