While channel surfing usually embodies the antithesis of athletic activity, Linda Kaiser brings a new meaning and profound respect to the endeavor.
Kaiser holds the distinction as the first person and only woman to swim all nine of Hawaii’s ocean channels, which range in length from 71⁄2 miles (Maui to Kahoolawe) to 72 miles (Oahu to Kauai). The world-class swimmer began her journey into history in 1988, when she crossed her first channel, and completed her last trek in 2010. She completed five of the nine crossings after turning 50.
"I started swimming before I could walk," Kaiser said. "In the late 1970s, I got more into ocean swimming. I don’t do channels anymore, but I just want to be out there and enjoy it. It keeps me young."
In addition to competing as a championship outrigger canoe paddler and serving on the Waikiki Roughwater Swim board of directors for more than 20 years, Kaiser was inducted into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008. Her friend Janice Vierra got her started with channel swimming, and Kaiser continued the activity along with Mike Spalding after Vierra passed away.
"We starting swimming channels because the guys were doing it, and we thought there should be some women representing the sport," Kaiser said. "It went from three (channels crossed) to four to five, and pretty soon there was only one left; I thought, well, might as well do it. I love being in the water."
Kaiser recalls swimming across some of the most treacherous expanses of water without the modern luxuries enjoyed by today’s athletes, including escort entourages, GPS tracking and fine-tuned nutrition. Forget sports drinks; the night before a big swim, Kaiser would hydrate in part by chugging flat Coca-Cola.
"It was really different from how it is now, but we had fun. That’s what it was all about," she said. "A lot of the swims I did, I was either the first person or first woman to complete the crossing. If the guys could do it, I knew I could do it. That was pretty cool."
Kaiser’s was inducted to the Hawaii Waterman’s Hall of Fame at the fourth annual awards ceremony presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation on Thursday evening at the Outrigger Canoe Club. The Hall of Fame honors the achievements of Hawaii’s outstanding watermen and women who have played an integral role in furthering Hawaii’s cultural heritage. Net proceeds raised from the event will support the foundation’s college scholarship fund and athletic grants awarded to Hawaii residents.
"I can’t believe I’m here," said Kaiser, as she looked around at all the larger-than-life banners of the 17 previous inductees. "I look at people that are in here, I mean Rell Sunn, Nappy Napoleon, Buffalo Keaulana — they’re legends."
The 2013 class also included Steve Borowski, a world champion swimmer and coach who guided Punahou to 13 consecutive boys and girls state titles and Kealakehe to its only swimming title. Borowski also coached Leahi Camacho, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona native who became the youngest person to swim 26 miles across the Kaiwi Channel on Aug. 17.
Also earning inductions Thursday were: China Uemura, longboard surfing champion and promoter of the sport; Tommy Conner, heralded outrigger canoe paddler, coach and canoe builder who won the prestigious Molokai Hoe 11 times; and Bill Smith, an Olympic, world and collegiate swimming champion and longtime coach and ambassador for the sport and ocean safety. The latter two watermen were honored posthumously.
