WaikikiBeachBoys.com
Title
Waikiki Beachboys Canoe Club
Description
The original Waikiki beachboys were water sports instructors who worked on the beaches fronting the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Hotels from the 1920's to the late 1950's. These beachboys taught the wealthy visitors who traveled to Hawai‘i how to surf, catch waves in an outrigger canoe, and enjoy the Hawaiian culture. Because these tourists usually vacationed in Hawai‘i for long periods of time, the beachboys developed close friendships with their patrons. The beachboys were known for their charm and their love of Hawai‘i, which they instilled in the tourists they befriended. As a result, the beachboys became a symbol of Aloha, and helped to draw tourists to the islands.
As air travel made access to Hawai‘i more affordable, more tourists began visiting the islands, and stayed for shorter periods of time. These changes to the tourism industry affected the relationships the beachboys were able to cultivate with tourists. Today, Waikiki beachboys still work the beaches with concession stands, surfing lessons and canoe surfing rides. Taking over where the original beachboys left off, this new generation of watermen exposes tourists to the Hawaiian culture and spreads Aloha to all who visit Waikiki.
The Waikiki Beachboys Canoe Club (WBBCC) was formed in 1973 by a group of beachboys who belonged to other paddling canoe clubs. This group of beachboys decided to form their own club in order to be free of the "paddling politics" and traditions established by the other canoe clubs. This group also wanted to promote the image of the original Waikiki beachboys, which was of men who respected the ocean and mastered the skills of surfing and outrigger canoe paddling, while spreading the Aloha spirit of Hawai‘i.
Contact
- Waikiki Beach Boys Canoe Club
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- Honolulu HI
- US 96817
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- (808) 377-8874
