Puakea crew

Sales reps

Jimmy austin

HI Canoe Sales + R&D
IG: @aukina3
Email Jimmy Here

Growing up at Outrigger Canoe Club, Jimmy was immersed into all things water at a very young age by his father. Starting with canoe surfing and prone paddle boarding around 15 years old, he soon picked up flat water kayaking, where he met Johnny Puakea, with HCKT. He loved kayaking, but it was not out in the open ocean, so he moved to ocean kayaking. After losing his job in 2009, Jimmy went all in training OC1 paddling with the mentorship of Johnny Puakea. In 2012, Jimmy achieved his goal of winning Molokai to Oahu, setting the course record. Now, Jimmy is enjoying being a dad, coaching the junior girls at OCC, surfing canoes and concentrating on where the sport of outrigger can go from here.

Kel schwartz

Online/Merch + Dealer Sales
IG: @kelthompson
Email Kel Here

Kelly has been paddling since her sophomore year of high school and has loved every season paddling for the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC). Her favorite event has always been the Catalina Race in Newport Beach, but the Queen Liliuokalani race on the Big Island will always hold a special place in her heart. She also coaches for NAC and is the Operations Manager for the boathouse. The paddling lifestyle is her only lifestyle! She loves the community that they have been built in Southern California, the relationships they have with other clubs and the other associations around the world. Kelly has been in the canoe rep business for most of her paddling life and loves getting the opportunity to make new friends in the paddling community!

jimi spoto

Questions + Marketing
IG: @jpspoto
Email Jimi Here

Jimi has been paddling with the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) since 2000, starting with flatwater kayak and made the transition to outrigger in 2004. Since then he has competed in 5 Molokai Hoe crossings, Olamau (2013), Hawaiki Nui Va'a (2014, 2015), IVF Long Distance Championship in 2017 (getting 2nd place with NAC) and 17 US Championship Catalina Crossings. He has coached the NAC junior and men's teams since 2005 and is currently building a tiny home on wheels to travel the US to promote paddling with Puakea Designs. To him, paddling is about being apart of something bigger than himself - "being able to help others and to be able to compete against the best paddlers in the sport is very humbling."

paolo ameglio

Paddle Sales + R&D
IG: @watermanpaolo
Email Paolo Here

Born in Panama, Paolo spent much of his time on the Pacific waters of its isthmus. He found competitive paddling as an adult and has been active in the sport for the past 15 years. As a member of Team USA Dragon Boat, he has become a part of the coaching staff for the national crew. Outrigger paddling has been an evolution as he discovered the benefits of small boat paddling to improve his performance in both the OC-6 and dragon boat. The feel of community and friendship that comes from this sport is one of the main passions in his life. Every time he has the opportunity to work with someone new and watch them grow, he also grows as a coach and as a paddler.

OPERATIONS

maika scott

Production
IG: @maikascott

Coming from a long line of paddlers in his family, Maika grew up paddling in Hawaii Kai, racing with the Hui Nalu 12&U grom squad. He went on to paddle prone and race in sailing canoes. He has competed in races like the Molokai Solo, Molokai Relay, Hawaiki Nui Va’a and most recently, Te Aito. His favorite event so far is racing Hawaiki Nui Va’a with his current team, Newport Aquatic Center (NAC). When Maika is not on the water, you will most likely find him in his shop repairing all kinds of watercrafts. He has been a huge contributor in the Puakea hybrid paddle manufacturing. The things he loves most about the paddling lifestyle are the traveling and the culture. 

john hamilton

Shipping + Inventory
IG: @johnhamslamsedan

Bio coming soon…

malia hohl

Bookkeeper
IG: @maliakalani

Bio coming soon…

maddie spoto

Brand Designer
IG:@maddiespoto

In 2002, Maddie was done running circles on the track team and decided to give paddling a try and there was no turning back. Growing up at Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) under the likes of Billy Whitford and Sam Couch she received experience in flatwater kayaking, outrigger, standup paddling, coaching and general boat awareness. NAC is where she also met Johnny and started to work on the branding for Puakea Designs. With a background in graphic design, Maddie has helped bring to life the Puakea Designs brand and lifestyle over the past 9 years. Her favorite thing about the paddling lifestyle is the community and the opportunity to share the sport of paddling.

John Puakea

Founder + Designer
IG: @puakeajohn

As the founder of Puakea Designs, John is an internationally sought after canoe builder as well as a championship- winning paddling coach, whose career as a canoeing innovator and promoter has evolved with the expanding paddling sports market.

John’s knowledge of body mechanics complements his strengths in canoe building. John’s inherent craftsmanship and design finesse come from an early indoctrination into canoe culture by his father, Bobby Puakea, beloved coach, renowned wooden canoe builder, and Puakea Foundation of Hawaii founder. While traditional sensibilities and a duty to cultural stewardship inspire John’s designs, speed considerations drive the end product. John’s elegantly styled canoes are among the fastest and race-proven on the water anywhere in the world. Read more about Johnny on his page on our website here!