30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE Heidi Laber has earned many accolades for Hawaiian outrigger paddling, which is currently her main sport. As part of a team—she fills the first position, which requires the most strength— Laber took third place in the Queen Lili’uokalani race in Hawaii. She captured first place at the Kupuna race 50s division, paddling with a mix of Outrigger Santa Cruz women and men from Hawaii, Slovakia and Florida. And she won the Outrigger Nationals in the 40s coed division paddling from Catalina Island to Newport Harbor, 31 miles of open water changes. Actually, she has medaled in too many races to be listed here. Her favorite international race took place in Scotland, crossing the famed Loch Ness in 2024, a feat called Monster the Loch. “I gathered women from Monterey, Santa Cruz, Sweden, Israel and Hungary who never met and we crushed the 21-mile iron race in 3 hours, 3 minutes,” Laber says. In order to canoe she has to stay in good shape and she works out regularly. Energetic and enthusiastic, Laber keeps her youth and shape, smiling broadly at the sight of Del Monte Beach. For an interview with the Weekly, she brought along her canoe and all necessary equipment. Weekly: Are there many types of canoes? Laber: I paddle an outrigger canoe. and it’s traditionally from Hawaii— Hawaii and Tahiti is where they started. This one (she presents her canoe) is one-person only. They make them for two people, three people, four people and six people. The four-person canoes were made for surfing, so they’re light. You steer them from the back. You fill canoes with safety equipment, radios and life jackets. Is there something like a canoeing season here? A racing season, yeah, a racing season. It starts in May and ends in August, generally. I always compete in nationals, so I compete in September. And this year I’m going to compete in October, because I am going to paddle from Molokai to Oahu. It’s an island to island crossing and it’s an all-women’s race called the Nawahine. As you can see, I’m going above and beyond—I mean, from the people that aren’t as competitive, I guess. What is the origin of this interest? I started as an open water ocean swimmer. I was swimming one Tuesday afternoon, and one of these canoes was coming by me and I wasn’t sure if they saw me. And there was a woman steering from the back and I knew her from the gym. And I was like, ”Oh my god, there’s Lisa.” And so I kept swimming and then I reached out to her later and I was like, “What is that?” I thought, “Oh, I’ll get to get further out into the ocean than what I’m used to swimming.” I stay rather close to shore when I’m swimming. Which sport, swimming or canoeing, requires more muscle? Canoeing is 20 times harder. I have to do all this training in order to pass. I lift weights, I run, I do this thing called circular strength training. I swim and I paddle my single canoe just to be able to compete. Did you grow up by the ocean? I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. I became a competitive swimmer when I was about 12, and I was also a competitive cross-country runner. I definitely wanted to live near the ocean. I was living in Salinas at the time when I started ocean swimming. Is there a different mentality for each sport? For example, are kayak people like canoe people? I don’t kayak, but I’m around kayakers. We are friendly with each other. What we have in common is that we all love the ocean and its creatures, and have desire to protect the ocean. People that kayak tend to like doing something solo and outrigger canoes usually race with six people. What else should we know about you? I’m a yoga teacher. I teach Reiki and energy healing. I’m a life coach. Yeah, and so I do everything under the sun related to healing. I’ve been a death doula; I’ve been a birth doula. I’ve taught childbirth—I don’t know how many babies I’ve helped birth into this world. I’ve always had a connection to water so I always bring in water imagery and the healing element of water into what I do. Lately, I’ve been studying shamanism and I’ve gone to Peru and learned how to do ceremonies. I foresee myself doing many canoe blessings. I love water so much in terms of mental health. Paddle Power When there is a stretch of water to race on, Heidi Laber is always up for the challenge. By Agata Popęda Heidi Laber with her ourigger canoe on Del Monte Beach in Monterey. While this canoe is for one person, Laber typically races—and wins—with five other crew members. DANIEL DREIFUSS SIT! STAY! Oh! That’s dogs! Well, they can participate, too! Tickets are now on sale for our Stay Home & Get Cozy event February 20th. Buy a ticket and relax at home to support the older cats of Monterey County at the same time! Bake cookies with your cat, party in PJs with your python, or dare your dog to a game! You will be entered in a free drawing to win fabulous prizes! Tickets available through https://gocatrescue.org/stay-home or scan this QR code today! If you would like to sponsor our next ad, please call us at 831-200-9232 or email info@gocatrescue.org. 831.200.9232 PO Box 683 Monterey, CA 93942 www.gocatrescue.org Armani Want to meet Armani? Please fill out our online adoption questionnaire. Things to love: approx. 1 year old - 12 lbs - male - Terrier He is a dapper dude with a heart of gold! This handsome boy is full of life and ready to run around and play. This sweet pup enjoys sniffaris around the yard and laying amongst the flowers. He does well with cats and even politely watches chickens from afar! He is also crate trained! If you’d like sponsor our next ad, give us a call. 831-718-9122 | www.PeaceOfMindDogRescue.org P.O. Box 51554, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Ad Sponsored by Arnold Shapiro & Karen MacKain
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