Aloha e komo mai. Welcome.
New Hope Canoe Club Ministry Atlantic is the Delaware sister club to New Hope Oʻahu’s canoe ministry in Hawaiʻi, founded in 2000.
Who are we?
We are a traditional Hawaiian canoe club structured around faith, but you do not need to be Christian to join. If you are Christian, there are opportunities for ministry in and out of the canoe. If you are not, you are just as welcome in the seat beside us.
You will find paddling, fellowship, fitness, healthy competition and service.
What does Aloha mean to us?
We believe the way Hawaiian elders understood Aloha is how we should live in and out of the canoe.
Akahai
Lokahi
kindness
unity
Oluʻolu
Ahonui
graciousness
patience
Haʻahaʻa
humility
These values shape how we paddle, serve and welcome people into the canoe.
A note from Coach David
My name is David Schofield. I moved to Lewes in November 2021 after living in Hawaiʻi for 16 years. I retired from NOAA, where I worked in conservation and marine life care. It was a dream job, but life is precious and short, and I was ready for a new adventure.
While in Hawaiʻi, I fell in love with Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling. It brings people together in a way few things can: for fun, fellowship, fitness, competition and time on the water. I also serve as a pastor and chaplain, so faith and encouragement are part of who I am.
Come check us out. There is a seat for you in the canoe.
— Coach David
Meet the crew
Gene Taylor
Vice President/Safety Officer
Professional experience:
Gene attended of University of Delaware, Gene is a former certified EMT/Paramedic, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with an associate degree.
Paddling or relevant experience:
Gene Taylor is the Director of Risk Management & Campus Public Safety for Notre Dame of Maryland University where he is responsible for Safety & Security Management, Training, Staff Development, Life/ Safety, and the overall university EHSafety Program and Campus Public Safety. Prior to this role, Gene had the opportunity to manage the Safety and Security program for the National Aquarium in Baltimore which presented many unique safety/risk issues (1986 – 2017). For the last twelve years he takes two weeks off to work for the NFL Super Bowl with focus on safety and security operations, leads a team of 220 at the NFL Media Center and Super Bowl game day at the stadium. All of this has allowed Gene to provide safety risk and incident reporting and tracking for the canoe club.
Why do you participate on the club ministry Ho’okele?
I have a love for the ocean and what this club stands for. I am a faithful Christian dedicated to the safety of the Club participants in and out of the canoe.
Carole Wehn
Treasurer
Professional experience:
Carole Wehn is a content developer for High Performing Culture, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in company culture implementation for small to medium-sized businesses. This is her third career, following time spent helping run a small home inspection business and as an accounting and finance executive for Fortune 500 consumer products companies. Carole is a former CPA who has served in treasurer/financial roles for nonprofits including her church and garden club. She holds a BS in Accounting and MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Paddling or relevant experience:
two years as a member of the Cooper River Dragon Boat Club and participation in five dragon boat festivals sanctioned by the International Dragon Boat Federation. One year as a member of NHCCM-TA. Competed in 9 mile OC6 race in Brigantine. NJ.
Why do you participate on the club ministry Ho’okele?
I enjoy being on the water and the camaraderie of being part of a team. As a Christian, I appreciate this club’s acknowledgment of God’s awesome creation. I am thankful for the opportunity the club provides for mutual support of members’ faith journeys.
Tom Ager
Secretary
Professional experience:
Part-time consultant, author and teacher in space imaging technology after completing a career as a technical Program Manager. MS in Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech 1988; MA in Geography, University of Hawaii, 1982.
Paddling or relevant experience:
Recreational kayaking, 1stseason outrigger canoe paddler with NHCCMTA starting in May of 2022. Competed in 10 mile OC6 race in DE and 9 mile OC6 race in NJ in 2022 season.
Why do you participate on the club ministry Ho’okele?
I was privileged to live in Hawaii for a few years when I was a young man, and I can remember watching in awe the completion of the great Molokai to Oahu outrigger race on Waikiki beach. I want to help the NHCCM-TA succeed in its mission to bring Hawaiian outrigger paddling and its principles to this maritime community. Paddling fosters physical and spiritual fitness as you work in synchronicity with other paddlers to move a long and heavy canoe smoothly through the waves, and the ocean links us to all the lands of this world.
Christel Garrett joined New Hope Canoe Club in the spring of 2024. Growing up in northeast Pennsylvania, she had canoed and kayaked many small creeks and lakes, but she also partakes in other outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
In 2025 she became the club’s team manager helping to organize race events and assist the head coach with logistics.
Christel says she joined for the physicality of OC 6 however has found great friends and a renewed spirituality.
Of special note is the fact that 3 months after attending an orientation meeting she paddled the toughest race on the east coast - the 35 mile Bay Paddle change race.
Christel Garrett
Club’s Team Manager
About New Hope Canoe Club Ministry Atlantic life group
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Outside of the canoe, some members gather to support each other, study the Bible, and pray. We are laid back, but very uplifting for each member, as we do life together.
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We meet over Fall, Winter, and early Spring on Tuesdays at 4:00
Contact Coach David at 808-347-2587 if interested.
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We have joined St. Peter’s church in reading St. Francis’s prayer every day until the election.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Let’s go paddling
No experience is needed.