CAP – Coach Tino Faatuala have put it, “He is the Michael Jordan of Canoe and Kayak racing and anytime he joins a race he will take his team to the peak.” Eight time World Outrigger Canoe Champion, Two time winner USA Canoe Champs, Catalina (LA), 4 times Wellington Surf Life Saving Iron Man Champion, 2004 World Surf Kayak Champs – New Zealand Team, 2006 Kayak Race in Hong Kong, 2007 Winner Taipei City 10 km Kayak Race, Multiple winner Australian Outrigger Canoe Champs, the list goes on for all the achievements for Rob Kaiwai who gained an abundant of rewards through various tournaments either alone or with his team mates around the world.
As he talks about his passion and commitment to the game while giving some tips that could improve skills and understanding of paddling Rob disregarded his school for a little while and concentrated on paddling only to realize that he needed the education to move on. The perseverance, discipline, and attitude towards the sport were then a training ground that carried to his education and was then channeled to his personal life. After acquiring the tools of the trade and the skills and knowledge of being a paddler, Rob was able to travel around the world to compete and achieve overflowing prestigious honors.In front of a youthful crowd who has uttered their eagerness to learn more on the sport, Mr. Kaiwai enlightened everybody on how rigid it was to achieve certain goals with the training and having to deal with team mates in a race. He pointed out that team mates should always have certain closeness, camaraderie, and obsession of attaining the same goal in order to win as all team sports would be described. In addition, he also expressed his feeling towards education where he gave a meaningful conversation on how important it is to stay in school.
