MCOC’s Jordan doles out thanks

Days after Saipan’s successful hosting of the 8th Annual Micronesian Cup, organizers continue to hear positive feedback from the international field of paddlers that spent the weekend on the lagoon.

Race director and co-chairman of the Micronesian Cup Organizing Committee Robert Jordan fielded every issue from travel and accommodations to competition and registration, and is still at the helm as the committee completes the final phases of the event.

While he was also at the heart of the outrigger canoe events during the Micronesian Games, Jordan relied heavily on the business community and his fellow volunteers in welcoming the region’s top teams.

The co-chair offered his congratulations to the athletes who traveled from as far away as Palau and Hong Kong to participate in the event and said that he sees room for the expansion of paddling in the Marianas.

“Many happy returns to all of the outrigger canoe teams who came to our beautiful island to compete in the 2006 Micro Cup. And a ‘job well-done’ to all of the local paddling teams on your fine performance last weekend, it is apparent that you have all made the CNMI proud. The sport and the culture surrounding canoe racing has and always will be perfectly suited for our islands and our waters. I look forward to continue working with you all toward the expansion of paddling sport in the Marianas,” he said.

Jordan thanked at length Pacific Trading Co, Heineken, Gatorade, the Saipan World Resort, Marianas Visitors Authority, Saipan Shipping Company and Marianas Steamship Agencies, DFS Galleria, Wells Fargo, Power 99/The Rock, Younis Art Studio, Napu OCC, Marianas Coffee Company, Continental Airlines, Micronesian Woodcraft, PTI, and Hertz for making the 2006 Micro Cup a success.

“Without the financial and in-kind contributions of these fine companies and organizations, the 2006 Micronesian Cup would never have been a reality,” he said.

Jordan received a wealth of support from local paddlers who offered their time knocking on doors and securing sponsors for the weekend as members of the MCOC.

“I’d like to thank my fellow members of the core MCOC for their time and dedication to the recruitment of off-island paddlers, the solicitation of sponsors, and to the overall organization of Micro Cup 2006. This includes; Richard Sikkel, Jessica Jordan, Joe Przyuski, Sonny Downer, Thu Tran, Gil Birnbrich, and John (Jay) Santos,” he said.

Jordan also thanked the small army of paddlers who gave their time to break down the canoes lent to the committee by their counterparts in Guam for return shipment for this weekend’s event.

“Thank you to the Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club crew, the Hong Kong Island Paddle Club crew, and Jay Santos for taking time off from work on Monday with me to make sure that our canoes and the Guam canoes made it to the dock and on the ship to Guam in time for the Heineken Cup this weekend,” he said.

Aside from the MCOC, Jordan thanked members of the volunteer onsite medical staff, the volunteers at race headquarters, the photographers, the Department of Public Safety, CNMI Canoe Federation, the Refalawasch community as well as his mother, Ann, for lending a helping hand “whenever it was needed, often at the last minute.”

“An enormous thank you to all my volunteers who helped out with; the sprint and the long-distance course set-up, starting and timing of the races, aligning of canoes, running, race judging, course marshaling, and chase-boat driving. These 2006 Micro Cup volunteers are friends and family of the paddling community and all helped out tremendously,” he said.

Jordan said that the local paddling community will continue to have events in the near future with the aim of attracting new participants to the scene.

“Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for notification of a potluck on the beach for all paddlers and for anyone who is interested in paddling. As always post-Micro Cup, the local interest level in canoe paddling is at an all-time high. And a gathering at the beach on a Saturday with food, drinks, friends, music and then more drinks is the perfect opportunity to recruit paddlers to join any of the current local paddling clubs—Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club, Napu Outrigger Canoe Club, Fatu’ul Outrigger Canoe Club, Stroke for Broke Kanu team, Oleai Canoe Club,” he said.

Aside from having an enjoyable get-together, Jordan said that the local paddlers could also use the opportunity to form a governing body for their sport of choice.

“In addition and very importantly, we can educate the public and garner much needed support for the CNMI Outrigger Paddling Race Association (COPRA). We can also schedule a preliminary board meeting for COPRA and turn this excellent idea into a reality,” he said.

Jordan recognized the efforts of Vince Seman for his work with the two previous local hostings of the Cup as someone important to the sport of outrigger canoe on Saipan and whose efforts were indispensable.

“Now living in Hawaii and working for Carlsmith Ball, Vince provided advice and helped to secure sponsors and other in-kind contributors to the 2006 MCOC while he was visiting Saipan in August and in the proceeding months leading up to this year’s Micro Cup,” he said.