Makapo Aquatics Project

09/03/2026

https://youtu.be/srO7ZnR9Nsk

Twenty years ago today, five blind men got into a six-man canoe on the Big Island and did something no one had done before.

They called themselves the NAC Blindsiders. Steered by Newport Aquatic Center's Billy Whitford, they raced 18 miles in the Queen Liliuokalani Race and became the first all-blind crew ever to finish it.

That race was the beginning of Makapo Aquatics. Today, 20 years later, Makapo has helped thousands of people with disabilities, along with their families, friends, and caregivers, get out on the water.

So we're starting the celebration today. Over the next few weeks, we're sharing the stories of the people who built this ohana, beginning with a conversation with the man who dreamed it all up, our founder John Chavez. Watch the first video here: [LINK]

If you've ever wondered what a canoe can do for a person, this is your invitation to find out. Come paddle with us, or help us bring the next 1000 to the water: forms.gle/41KaiwmESrGfj2B68

And join us September 19 at the Newport Aquatic Center for the 20th Anniversary Luau: www.makapo.org/2026luau

Twenty years ago, John Chavez had a dream most people called imposs...

08/12/2026

Makapo and the Newport Aquatic Center are proud to share that several NAC/Makapo Para Outrigger team members will be competing in Singapore next week at the IVF World Sprint Championships. Here’s a post from Team USA head coach, and Makapo’s very own, Rob Octavio.

08/08/2026

What an incredible week at Makapo Keiki Camp!

We are so proud to share that Makapo Aquatics and the Newport Aquatic Center welcomed some truly amazing young athletes to our 2026 Summer Keiki Camp — and the energy on the water was absolutely electric.

Kids from all across Orange County — including participants from CHOC's Spina Bifida Clinic — came together for a week of outrigger paddling, stand up paddling, kayaking, swimming, and beach fun at the Newport Dunes. And they didn't do it alone — they were joined by peer volunteers from the National Charity League Orange/Villa Park chapter, and paddled side by side with campers from NAC's own paddle camp. All abilities. All together. On the water.

This is what inclusion looks like in action — and it is beautiful.

A huge mahalo to everyone who made this week possible:

Newport Aquatic Center for opening their doors and their water to our keiki
Southern California University of Health Sciences and Dr. Rachelle Murphy, OTR/L, for providing our incredible OTD student leads — your clinical expertise and commitment to inclusion made all the difference
Dr. Afshin Aminian for your support and commitment to getting kids with disabilities on the water
Weston Cole for stepping up and being part of something special
National Charity League Orange/Villa Park chapter for your heart and your hustle

Twenty years of Makapo and NAC working together to get more kids on the water — regardless of ability. Here's to twenty more.

08/03/2026

Makapo is proud to have 5 of our Ohana as members of Team USA Para Outrigger! They along with their teammates will compete in v1 and v6 races at the 2026 IVF WORLD SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS in Singapore. Our NAC/Makapo head coach, Rob Octavio is serving as head coach for the team, as well.

Competitions begins on 8/21!

Go USA! Go Makapo!

07/25/2026

This week the water at the NAC was full of Ohana.

Tuesday, July 21 we welcomed our friends from Beyond Blindness for an Ohana Day. Friday, July 24 we paddled alongside the incredible team from Casa Colina and their amazing group of spinal cord injury paddlers.

Every session reminds us why we do this. Different abilities, one canoe, one community.

A special mahalo to Castaways Canoe Club for going above and beyond — providing paddlers and the use of their double hull to help make both days possible. And to our OluKai Ohana from the Irvine Spectrum store for lending their hands on Tuesday. That kind of generosity is what this Ohana is all about.

Our next Ohana Day is August 15 at the Newport Aquatic Center. We would love to see you there.

And mark your calendars — our 20th Anniversary Luau is September 19 at the Newport Aquatic Center. Sponsor a table, donate a silent auction item, or make a gift at makapo.org.

Mahalo to the Newport Aquatic Center, Beyond Blindness, Casa Colina, National Charity League, Castaways Canoe Club, and our OluKai Ohana at the Irvine Spectrum for being part of our Ohana.

07/16/2026

CANCELLED…Due to low sign ups, we have made the tough decision to cancel the Ohana Day on July 18, 2026.

07/11/2026

This week the water at the NAC was overflowing with Aloha.

Tuesday we welcomed new friends from Without Limits Foundation for an Ohana Day. Wednesday the Anaheim Ducks and OC Vibe returned for an Ohana Builder. Friday our returning friends from CBI joined us for another Ohana Day.

Ohana Day is open to anyone, any ability, any age. Ohana Builder is our mixed ability paddling corporate team-building experience on the water. Learn more at makapo.org.

We are also thrilled to announce that the National Charity League Orange/Villa Park Chapter is partnering with Makapo to provide volunteer support. Mahalo, NCL!

Our next Ohana Day is July 18 at the Newport Aquatic Center. Come join us.

Mahalo to Without Limits Foundation, CBI, the Anaheim Ducks, OC Vibe, and NCL Orange/Villa Park for being part of our Ohana.

06/22/2026

Yesterday June 20th, as part of our ongoing 20th Anniversary celebration, we did what Makapo does best: we got on the water with new friends.

Our Ohana Day welcomed Roy, Charles, and Nicole, three first-time paddlers. Two are blind or have low vision. One has quadriplegia. All three got on the water.

That is the culture we have built over two decades alongside the Newport Aquatic Center: a culture of “yes” for people of all abilities. It is a culture made possible by the generosity of our community.

Our 20th Anniversary Luau will be held on September 19 at the Newport Aquatic Center. Every sponsored table, donated silent auction item, and gift to Protect What Moves Us helps make programs like Ohana Day possible and allows us to welcome new participants at little to no cost to them.

You can support Makapo by sponsoring a table, donating a silent auction item, or making a gift at makapo.org.

Mahalo.

06/20/2026

🌊 Today, we officially launch our **20th Anniversary celebration** — and what better way to begin than on the water with friends.

We're welcoming back **Project Independence** and introducing our newest partners, **National Charity League's Orange/Villa Park Chapter**, to the Makapo Ohana. From five blind men who dared to race, to opening our canoes to people of all abilities — this is exactly what 20 years looks like.

There is so much more to come. Mahalo for being part of what moves us. 🤙

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