I was invited to speak at Kahuku Elementary School for Drug Free Week as an athlete/ Olympic hopeful today. Kahuku’s theme for the week was an Olympic theme which was “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. To kick off the week a group of parents and teachers ran a “torch” through the communities where kids who attend the school live with the en-route of the run being a torch lit at the school. The main topic speak about was being dedicated to something, being honest and of course tying everything into being drug free. It was a great opportunity to speak to the kids as well as some parents and teachers. Just want to say thank you again for inviting me!

- Ryan

Today I got my acceptance letter to join Power Bar Team Elite. I am really thankful and excited to be a part of Team Elite for the next 2 years. Being apart of this team will aid me in all my supplement needs such as bars, protein drinks and other dietary supplements which is so important when training multiple times a day. It can also be quite costly to be buying supplements. Thank you Power Bar again for aiding me in this aspect of my training and competitive goals.

- Ryan

Just got some new Maui Jim Sunglasses to start of 2012. I would like to say a big thank you to Maui Jim for providing us with the very best shades. Maui Jim has been supporting us since late 2008 and have been huge supporters of all our paddling goals. My new favorite style is the one pictured above which are called “Longboard” in a Matte Black Frame, check them out here.

- Ryan

Makai Magainze December Issue

Check out Ryan featured in Makai Ocean Lifestyle Magazines December issue here. Thank you Lono for your support!

New OC1 paddle for Ryan

Thank you to Dave Chun of Kialoa Paddles for making me this new OC1 blade. Since I have been kayaking I have found that I like my paddle shafts to be carbon rather than wood for the extra stiffness so Dave being the artist he is put this together for me. Its one of Kialoa’s newest shapes called the “Nehu”. Its very similar to the “Lanikai” but has a softer shape while more agressive spine for no slippage and cleaner entry. Not to mention this paddle feels like a feather! Thanks Dave!

Oiwi Ocean Gear's custom shirt design for Ryan

Big thank you to David Kim of Oiwi Ocean Gear for designing another shirt. The idea of this shirt is something I have wanted for a while because it really shows the sport of kayaking and gives paddlers an image of what we do rather than just some text to help me out with fundraising. Check out Oiwi Ocean Gear before they close the shop at the end of the month, but also online and see what they can do for your club, team or just you personally for UV apparel and maybe even a custom design.

Community propels local athletes to the 2012 Olympic Games

Patrick and Ryan Dolan paddling – photo courtesy of the Dolan family, with our thanks

By DENA CASSELLA

- Island Sun Weekly -

Scooping the remaining rice grains peppering his dinner plate, Patrick Dolan stares outside at the arsenal of boats lining his front lawn. He is tall. His younger brother Ryan is taller. Even as they sit slouched, leaning on tired, sun-tanned arms at the kitchen table, it is clear they are athletes. “Ryan and I wanted to compete against the world,” he says. “We did it to represent Hawaii and our country—and now we finally will. It was all worth it.”
Born and raised in Kailua, Patrick and Ryan Dolan feel most comfortable on the water.
“The 2008 Olympics was the only time a Hawaii athlete wasn’t represented in kayaking,” Patrick says. “That shows the strength of the athletes we grow here and the strength of the community that supports them.”
The Dolan brothers know firsthand the generosity of the people of Hawaii. Patrick and Ryan have spent the past three years training with Hawaii Canoe & Kayak for the preliminary time trials and events leading up to the 2012 London Olympics.
After their program lost its funding from the Olympic Committee, the brothers began various fundraising efforts to keep their dream and the dreams of future Hawaii paddlers and athletes alive.
Corporate and individual contributions came from all over the Islands, sponsoring and supporting them throughout their training and affording the many international trips an athlete must take to qualify for the Olympics.
“All the support from friends and family was immense, but the paddling communities here in Hawaii took it to another level when it came to supporting us,” explains Ryan.
“It was quite amazing the level that people went to help us succeed. While it was very humbling to be holding our hands out for donations, it also made me very proud to be a paddler from Hawaii. It gave me so much motivation to make all of these people proud, and hopefully inspire a few people and the younger generations of paddlers, as well.”
Contributions and inspiration from Kai Bartlett of Kai Wa’a Canoes, the folks at Epic Kayaks and Oiwi Ocean Gear, and their sponsorship from Maui Jim Sunglasses were finally repaid this past October at the Pan American Games, as Ryan qualified a spot for the United States at the 2012 Olympics in the K1 200-meter event.
Although the spot is secured for the U.S., Ryan has one more race ahead of him before he can be the athlete in the boat at the London games in 2012. Another race in April will determine which kayaker will represent the country in the K1 event.

Ryan and Patrick Dolan, with many reasons to celebrate – photo thanks to the Dolan family.

Patrick raced the K4 1000-meter event with three other teammates at the Pan American Games. They were successful in their efficiency and effort, but did not qualify a spot. A loss that was only disheartening for a mere moment, as Patrick proceeded to train for other athletic events with a new goal–competing in several Molokai crossings through various disciplines.“Everyone’s always looking for the best coach or the best program that will help them win, but what I believe and what I’ve learned from this process is it’s just a matter of hard work and dedication,” says Patrick.
“It just comes down to who can push themselves to that level not just physically but mentally too. And I believe my brother is able to win his spot. And I believe he is going to be some serious competition to all the other kayakers at the games. He’s just going to keep getting better and faster.”
Ryan agrees. He followed his older brother into the world of Olympic kayaking right out of high school. His determination to win that U.S. spot isn’t just to represent the country, but to represent his family and Hawaii.
“I try to find motivation to help me get through these times, but I am also my biggest critic,” he says.
“I remember when Pat and I were younger, we’d watch the Olympic games on TV. We would battle each other at anything we could think of and we’d make our own Olympic games. When I was young I wanted to be an Olympian, but never really thought I could be one until after I started kayaking. And I never thought I could win until I realized how many people believed in us.”