Recreation / Ralph Nichols : Henson Finds Calling With Hawaiian Team in World Canoe Meet

Before moving to Hawaii from Thousand Oaks two years ago, Juli Henson’s idea of waking up early was getting out of bed before noon.

That all changed, however, when she joined the Lahaina Canoe Club on the island of Maui. It is difficult to sleep in when canoeing workouts start at 6 a.m.

Henson’s dedication was rewarded when the Lahaina team raced to the Maui Island title last month and she was selected to a club all-star team that will compete in the World Sprint Championships at the Keehi Lagoon in Honolulu this week.

Fifty-two countries are competing in the five-day event, which started Wednesday. Henson’s crew will compete in 500- and 3,000-meter events.

For this week’s races, Henson will be the caller, responsible for calling the strokes as well as paddling along with the other five crew members.

Just having the opportunity to compete is a thrill for Henson, 22. She has been canoeing since February and is the only first-year member of her crew.

Her inexperience does not intimidate the former Westlake High student, however.

“Once you have good people in front of you, all you have to do is keep up with them,” Henson said.

Canoe racing is a traditional Hawaiian sport and races are televised locally. In fact, canoeing is perhaps the state’s most popular spectator sport.

The world canoe championships will be reviewed this week for possible inclusion in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The ESPN cable network is scheduled to broadcast the races.

A winning fling: Brian Dushman of Canoga Park won the 1988 Junior Regional Frisbee championship at Victory Park in Pasadena on Saturday.

Dushman, 15, qualified to compete in the World Junior Frisbee championships at the Texas State Fair and Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Oct. 19-23. He will be judged on throwing accuracy, maximum time aloft, distance, Frisbee golf and freestyle maneuvers.

Dushman’s sister, Wendy, 17, won the world junior title in 1986 in Orlando, Fla., and set a junior distance record (of more than 90 yards) in the process.

She surpassed her previous best with a toss of 100 yards in last summer’s U. S. Open Frisbee Disc championships but did not get credit for a junior record because she competed in the adult division.

Water works: The Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park will offer another session of lessons for adult, youth and handicapped swimmers, beginning Monday.

The classes stress basic water safety and swimming skills. In addition, there are special classes available in first aid and rescue techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced lifesaving. Adapted aquatic classes are available for the handicapped.

Information: 818-981-6614.

Boxing: Amateur boxers from throughout the Valley will compete in a boxing exhibition Friday at Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park. The first two-round exhibition bout will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Information: 818-883-1503.

Basketball: Sign-ups continue for the Sylmar Recreation Center basketball league, which is for players aged 30 and older who stand 6 feet, 2 inches or shorter. Games will be played on Thursday nights beginning next month.

Information: 818-367-5656.

Fast pitch: Teams from 16 leagues are scheduled to compete in the City Recreation and Park Department fast-pitch softball tournament at the Hjelte Sports Center in Encino beginning Friday.

Fourteen teams will vie in the three-day tournament. The title game is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Information: 818-783-0738.

Volleyball: Registration is being accepted for the City Recreation and Parks Department adult volleyball league. There will be co-ed, men’s and women’s teams in the winter league that runs from Sept. 10 through the second week in December.

Information: 818-783-0738.