Short Hops: 3/11/16

Kainoa Jones named to Baseball Factory National team

The Big Island’s Kainoa “Boo” Jones recently attended the Under Armor Baseball Factory Showcase in Oahu where he was evaluated by several professional scouts and provided development techniques on how to improve his game. The impression he left at the showcase was a lasting one. Jones was selected to represent the state as part of the Under Armor Baseball Factory National Team.

As a member of the team, Jones will compete in the California Select Training & Competition held in La Verne, California July 10-13. He will also have the opportunity to compete in the Baseball Factory World Series at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida July 29-Aug. 2.

“I am very excited to have made this prestigious team of outstanding baseball players,” Jones said. “We will be competing against some of the best players and teams in the country and will be coached by professional players and pro scouts.

Jones is currently seeking sponsors to help pay for the trips. He must raise $6,000 to cover his portion of the expenses, which include food, hotel, travel, coaching, training, uniforms, registration and insurance.

Donations can be made in the form of a check, paid out to Baseball Factory, and mailed directly to Jones at 74-5201 Kihawahine Place, Kailua-Kona, Hi., 96740. For more information on Baseball Factory, visit www.baseballfactory.com.

Hawaii Cycling Club Event

March 13: The Hawaii Cycling Club will host The Dragon, a unique road race, featuring nine hills in the Keauhou area. Good for strength workout. Race a hill, wait until everyone has finished, ride casually to the next hill, race the hill, etc. Gain 2000 vertical feet. The event is free but all participants are required to have an Annual USA Cycling or a $10 one Day USA Cycling Membership for insurance. Pre-registration is required. HCC members have priority. Go to hawaiicyclingclub.com and click on “Dragon” to register.

April 3: The 3rd annual Hawaii Century is a benefit for Hospice of Kona. Good for endurance. The Century starts and ends at Spencer Beach Park. While this is a non-competitive ride many cyclists will fit this into their training schedule. Cyclists have the choice of three routes: 30, 60 or 109 miles. Exceptional lunch will be available at the end. Aid stations approximately every 20 miles.

Pre-registration and additional information are at hawaiicyclingclub.com. Click on “Century” to register at active.com. The Century entry fee is $50.

To find out how students 18 and under may participate for free email: hcccentury@yahoo.com.

Through March 26: On Saturdays there will be a Couch to Bike, Yes You Can! training session.

Each training session will start at 7 a.m. at the Kona swimming pool and end at Bike Works.

For training plans, cold drinks, a brief lecture and Q&A, email hcccouch@yahoo.com.

Go to www.hawaiicyclingclub.com for additional information on other HCC events.

Lavekids Family Fun Runs

On Saturday, March 19, LavaKids, in partnership with Club Rehab, will host its Family Fun Runs at 7 a.m. on Ane Keohokalole Highway between Palani Road and Kealakehe High School. Look for the Lavaman flags on the mauka side of the road. This is a free event and open to all ages.

The guest speaker this month will be Coach David Baldwin, who will talk about the importance of form and function while running.

Registration will take place at 7 a.m. followed by a keiki dash at 7:45 a.m.. The one-mile and 2-mile run/walk will begin at 7:55 a.m. with the 5k run/walk right after. This event is open to both keiki and adults. Games and supervision will be provided for keiki during the 5k for parents wanting to participate.

Pre-register at lavakids.org for extra chances to win raffle for prizes. For more information visit www.lavakids.org or contact eventinfo@lavakids..org.

Hawaii Junior Golf Day

The Aloha Section Professional Golf Association (ASPGA) and Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA), has partnered up to bring you Hawaii Junior Golf Day, happening on March 19th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at various locations around the state. Aloha Section PGA President, Lance Taketa, and a host of local professionals, will be running the Hawaii Junior Golf Day on the Big Island at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course and the Kona Country Club

The event is open to kids ages of 5 and 18 who might be interested in learning the wonderful game of golf. To register, go to bijga.org or hsjga.org.

Hawaii State Junior Golf Association’s Thos Rohr Scholarship

The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA) has announced the establishment of a new college scholarship opportunity sponsored by Waikoloa Land Company in the name of Thos Rohr. The scholarship is an annual award for residents of Hawaii Island who are members of the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association. The application is currently available online at hsjga.org

Thos Rohr, former President of Waikoloa Land Company, has a 50-plus year history of significant contributions to the game of golf, the Hawaii golf industry and various golf communities and organizations.

The HSJGA is currently accepting applications for its three other college scholarships: The C. Pardee and Betsy Erdman College Scholarship and the HSJGA College Scholarship. Applications and requirements can be found online at hsjga.org. The deadline to submit applications is April 29.

For questions or comments, please contact Lauren Yama at 808-532-0559 or hsjgaoffice@gmail.com.

Schools seeking coaches

Waiakea High School: The Warriors are accepting applications for a varsity girls basketball head coach. Applications can be picked up at the Waiakea High School main office during the business hoursfo 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications are due by March 31 at 4 p.m. Applications are to be returned to the Waiakea High School main office. The selected candidate is required to pass the Hawaii DOE Criminal Background check. For more information contact athletic director Tom Correa at 974-4830.

Kealakehe High School: The Waveriders are looking for assistant track coaches. Anyone interested in helping coach high school track athletes, please contact Athletic Director Alan Vogt via email at alan_vogt@notes.k12.hi.us or phone 313-3774.

Canoe clubs looking for paddlers

Kai ‘Ehitu: Kai ‘Ehitu Outrigger Team is holding open registration for the upcoming outrigger canoe racing season which runs from spring-summer. Registration is open for children and adults, both seasoned and beginner paddlers. For more information visit kaiehitu.org

Keauhou Canoe Club: Keauhou Canoe Club announces the start of practice for the 2016 paddling season at Keauhou Bay for the most junior members. “Special Events” paddlers under age 12 are invited to paddling practice every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. These young paddlers will be able to participate in the Special Events race which is held at the beginning of every Canoe Regatta all season long. Uncles Tandy and Kalani will be their coaches this year.

Mauna Kea Swim Group

Interested swimmers can join a group swim Sundays at 7:30 a.m. at the South end of Mauna Kea Beach. The route it to Hapuna and back. It’s approximately 1-mile each way. Strong swimming skills are necessary.

Enjoy the amazing Kohala waters and swim as your comfort level allows. It is also great triathlon training. Swim at your own risk.

For questions contact Ed Doherty at eddoherty1@me.com.

Go sailing with Kona Sailing Club

Kona Sailing Club Juniors and the Big Island Sailing Foundation will be hosting three days of sailing out of Honokohau Harbor March 22-24.

New sailors should be 12 years and over, and sailors with previous experience should be over 10 years old.

This is an all-day adventure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pack a lunch, healthy snacks and plenty to drink. Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable on the water and outdoors, and be ready to have fun.

All participants should be KSC members. New KSC membership is just $20 the first year and $10 for renewals every year after. Cost for sailing is $75 for the three days. An optional additional day, on Friday, March 25 is being considered at a cost of $20. Sailing will be done on boats between 12 feet and 22 feet long.

Instructors are certified by US Sailing. For more info call 325-5529 or send email to bisf@earthlink.net.

Old Airport 50-plus basketball league

There will be a 50-and-over, half court, basketball league starting on Wednesday, April 6 at Old Airport Park’s Kekuaokalani Gym. Anyone interested in being drafted or entering a team call Chuck Corbe at 327-3287 or email corbe@reahuihou.com.

Soccer Camps

June 20-24: Kona AYSO 527 will host a four day Challenger Sports soccer camp at Old Airport Field. Ages 3-4 ($85) will go from 9-10 a.m., ages 4-5 ($99) will go from 10:30 a.m.-noon, ages 6-14 ($135) will go from 9 a.m.-noon, and ages 8-14 (180) will go from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration can be done online at www.challengersports.com. For more information contact Dan Jones at 760-945-2109 or email djones@challengersports.com.

July 18-22: Kona AYSO will hold a sponsored five day soccer camps with USSF lincensed coaches and PE teaching specialists for kids ages 6-14 at Old Airport Field. The fun filled skill and tacktical developement camp cost $179 for five full days (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) or $125 for five half days (9 a.m.-noon).

July 25-29: Kona Next Level Soccer will hold a five day soccer game with a USSF Licensed and Cal South Olympic Development coach for kids ages 14-18 at Old Airport Field. The advanced high school soccer training camp costs $125 for the week and runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 25-29: Kona AYSO will host a five day soccer camp with USSF youth coaches and Primary Teaching Specialists for kids ages 4-6 at Old Airport Field. The Elite Munchkin Camp will cost $79 for the week and runs from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Emily T Gail Show

Ellie Sumic, of Bike Works Beach & Sport, has info on Lavaman Waikoloa weekend April 8-10. It kicks off with the Bike Works Sunset 5k Walk/Run, a fundraiser for PATH, which will start on Friday, April 8, at the Queens Marketplace at 5:15 p.m. The Lavakids Aquathlon is at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Saturday, April 9, and Lavaman will be held April 10 at Anahoomalu Bay. There is also an expo at Hilton Waikoloa Village open to everyone and spectators are welcome to enjoy all the events. Sumic also has updates on the Lavakids monthly programs that are free and for all ages.

Jack Gillen, a Certified Personal Trainer with National Academy of Sports Medicine, will talks about Indian Club Swinging for Fitness & Recreation. He talks about how it can develop and increase skills like ambidexterity, strength, flexibility, and the fun of doing it to music.. He shares some very interesting stories about Indian Club Swinging having been in the Olympics years ago.

The Emily T Gail Show at espnhawaii.com is also available at iTunes as a free podcast or at facebook.com/emilytgail. For information contact Gail at 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.