ABOUT

Meet Lewis Laughlin, your Master Coach

Master coach Lewis Laughlin lives for Va’a and the joy and opportunity of sharing his knowledge and passion with others. Laughlin was born in Tahiti, and Va’a has been a part of his life since 1981. He has paddled with many legends of this sport, including Carlos Perez, Puaniho Tauotaha, and Rodo Bernardino, plus a “Who’s Who” of outrigger teammates in team competition. Inspired by many championship paddlers and legendary paddler and club coach, Papa Star, Laughlin quickly elevated his skills to an elite, championship level. This level of excellence is reflected in his coaching, which Laughlin is excited to share with others.

A mind-body approach

Laughlin’s coaching combines the essentials of mental preparedness and physical technique. This mind-body approach addresses paddlers as a whole, helping them develop the mindset to be more focused plus the techniques to master the proper skills and mechanics of paddling. He integrates mind and body with a profound appreciation of culture—the centuries-old Tahitian tradition of Va’a.

Achieve a new level of excellence

In his decades of experience as an elite paddler and exceptional coach, Laughlin has refined his skills, technique, and efficiency. He has brought out the best in hundreds of paddlers, men and women, from novices to elite paddlers, and has helped take world-class paddlers to new levels in international competitions. His ability to improve the performance of elite paddlers plus his own desire to become an elite paddler inspired him to launch the storied canoe club, Ra’i. His goal with Ra’i was to win the coveted Molokai Hoe race, in Hawaii, and the Hawaiki Nui, in French Polynesia—the Super Bowl of outrigger canoe racing. In 2002, only his second year of competitive racing, his team won the Molokai Hoe. Two years later, in 2004, they won the prestigious Hawaiki Nui Va’a. He reached his goal!

But Laughlin’s goals did not end there. He also realized a long-held dream to design and build his own canoe to specifications ideal for racing. Since then, as a master coach, he has set his sights on helping others realize their paddling dreams.