Interview with Patrick Guérin, between Guadeloupe and Hawaii, between yoga and pirogue

Hi Patrick, you are known for your passion of ocean and paddle sports, can you tell us a little bit more about you? 

I was born and grew up on the doorstep of Marseille. Lovers of adventure and distant horizons, I quickly anticipated my call and joined the marine infantry paratroopers. For 20 years I have lived unforgettable experiences, as much on a human level as on the level of discoveries from various continents. My family and I came to Guadeloupe with the army for three years in '98 and have stayed there ever since.

Today you live in Guadeloupe, how did you come to this Caribbean island, what does this place represent for you? 

We arrived in 1998, military transfer to Camp de la Jaille (RSMA) for three years. Since then, after 20 years with the paratroopers, they didn't transfer me where I wanted. I've been working as a Harbormaster at the Lower Fort Marina since then. Attracted by the sea and yachting, being on an island and being surrounded by a blue sea has always been my desire.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your history with the outrigger canoe? 

2012 is the year of my beginnings, I give my first paddle strokes in SUP and very quickly I become addicted to long Down Wind and Ocean Racing races. In 2015, I got my first Outrigger Canoe, a splendid Pueo from WOO .... 
Self-taught, I am passionate about this new practice and I participate in all types of races in Guadeloupe and ... elsewhere.

  

I understand you're planning competitions like the Te Aito or the Molokai hoe. What approach do you have with the competition, what are your goals? 

Indeed, after two years of oc1 practice, in 2017 I take part in my first Kaiwi Solo - Molokai OC1 World Championship in Hawaii and I finish my race on the podium in third place in my age category, an unforgettable race, 75 pirogues at the finish, a mythical course between the island of Molokai and Oahu, a very small champion among the very big ones at the presentation of the results.
From there the virus of the beautiful competitions is in me ... all alone on my excellent spot I train regularly, 6 days a week, to be at level all year long and keep my main goal:  Hawaii. 
I am also present at all the meetings in Guadeloupe: 
- Ocean Racing Champion for two years in Guadeloupe and Martinique 
- Ze Race ( a nice second place this year) 
- Karukera Kayak Challenge 
- Salt River Marathon 
- Raid of the leeward coast etc ... 
and the French championships...
this year I just bought a Vaa fai3x to master this traditional practice in order to be able to do Te Aito. Learn to paddle on a Va'a, like a pilgrimage, to know the origin and the essence of the paddle stroke.

I heard you're a yoga instructor, how did you discover the practice of yoga?  How has yoga impacted your life and your canoe practice?

Yoga brings me a fullness, a coherence with myself. The practice of Yoga and the philosophy that flows from it offers me a real openness to others and the necessary distance to better understand the world and its turpitudes.
Beyond the subtle and deep dimensions that Yoga brings to me, my physical and breathing practices from Yoga are obvious allies in my physical and mental preparation for each competition.
My relationship to yoga is such that its transmission has become so important. The trigger came to me thanks to the discovery of a Yoga that I consider to be authentic coming from the Vicitra method (https://guadeloupe.vicitra.yoga ). I have the chance to transmit a Yoga that brings the physical, respiratory, mental and spiritual dimensions.

What is a classic day with Patrick Guerin like?

Seen from my wife's side "I have to be at her disposal to be able to drop him off at the start and pick him up at the arrival of these DW trainings .... 
But she adds that every time I ask her with a lot of diplomacy (laughs).
More seriously: in contrast to the "cool and quiet" image of Caribbean life, I am an active machine 7 days a week, juggling my work from Monday to Saturday, my training on and off the water 6 days a week when I don't forget my day off, my activity in first aid and rescue (president and trainer) civil and military, teaching my yoga classes, loving and caring for my beloved family (wife, children and grandchild) and our pets (two dogs and five cats).
Busy weeks! What would be your best experience as a Paddler? What would be your best competitive memory?
Without hesitation my first participation in the Kaiwi Solo - Molokai OC1 World Championship in 2017, for this first big international race and a wonderful trip on this extraordinary archipelago. Realizing that you are on this starting line, on the water with the best paddlers of the moment is a magical moment to live, combined with unforgettable encounters.
The following year I found myself this time at the foot of the podium but to be awarded the title of the best paddler overseas was a very touching moment.

In competition, to have the honor to be invited and to have a place on one of the Kailua canoe club's v6 racing canoes for a first race of the season in Hawaii and to finish, with this crew, first on the podium, having 29 v6's on your ass for the whole duration it's unforgettable !

The final word? 

"Believe and Dare" and "Be and Last" are the two mottos that have accompanied me throughout my life, professionally, athletically and spiritually. I strive to respect them daily for my own good and for those who accompany me. I dedicate them especially to our friend Guy Ringrave who represents them so well.