Marshall Islands @ Jaluit Atoll: Must watch

Raw footage by Ainikiōm.
All rights reserved.
This piece features UCC Deacon & Jaluit Atoll Local Government Councilman Mr. Gibson Simon, one of our master canoe builders/sailers who has built and practically trained so many boys and young men including his kids, to build and sail canoes that are currently being used today to sustain people’s livelihoods in the islands.
After a very good fish and clam harvest, mr. Simon and the boys decided to race back and have some fun on our return leg to the their home island of Narmej. Here, Mr. Gibson shows us a portion of his skills in maneuvering the canoe with ease and magnificent talent!
Normally, these canoes are manned by 2 or more people. This just shows how accustom Mr. Simon is in his knowledge of the canoes and their association with wind and sea. This traditional knowledge is also true for open ocean voyaging. The only aspect missing is the walap.
These master canoe builders/sailers are set on building a traditional walap (open ocean voyaging canoe) that can assist the remote communities in Jaluit Atoll with the much needed sea transportion not just to cater for transport needs within Jaluit Atoll but to travel to Majuro (RMI Capital), other sub-centers including Ebeye, Kwajlein Atoll and other islands.
This initiative has been endorsed by the Jaluit Atoll Local Government and traditional leadership including the communities as one of their top 5 priorities in their Capacity Development Plan. A 5 year plan that was facilitated by the Pacific Centre for Environment & Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD)at the The University of the South Pacific in collaboration with the RMI’s Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs and the RMI HIstoric Preservarion Office through the European Union Global Global Climate Change Alliance + Scaling Up Pacific Adaption (EU GCCA + SUPA) Project - Component II: To Enjance Community Resilience to the detrimental impacts of Climate change through Capacity Development.
The traditional capacity is evident here and the main resources are obviously these master canoe builders/sailers. All there is to do is empower the builders empower their communities.

[@joedaman2380]

Fantastic boat design and navigation skills, most ppl have no idea that these PROA'S are the ONLY known sailboats boat's that REGULARLY survive typhoon's in the WORLD today......this IS real food for thought

[@Forrest-Jackson]

I see mostly plywood proas on Kwajalein Atoll... that bow looks like a true dugout's bow - very handsome! Also, that's a lot of power to be single-handing- he's a very skilled sailor.

[@LaniJeb96960]

He is a true sailor but his greatX3 grandfather was 100x better 😢

[@ttmallard]

Knowing of LapitaWare sailors discovering the Pacific ... they be envious of these hot proas, great clips, thx 🍺

[@islandguy6928]

We’re their descendants, They’d be proud to see how we our seafaring culture evolved.

[@pelageos]

Amazing! 😍

[@Phoenix-rc2wx]

Yes Indeed 👍.

[@FlatlandMando]

Must be a breathtaking ride, love to be on one!

[@Yateyeets]

I wonder what that silver sail is made from.

[@LaEbOy]

cool!