Meet the Foti Bros. Team:
Led by Legends
When you paddle with Foti Bros., you’re learning from a team with an unparalleled depth of experience. Our coaching staff is led by brothers Jim and John Foti, whose names are synonymous with outrigger canoe racing in Hawaii. We are supported by an extended ohana of world-class paddlers and coaches who share our passion for the sport. Our team doesn’t just teach paddling; we have helped define it for the modern era.
Head Coach & Master Steersman
Jim Foti
Jim Foti is one of the most accomplished steersmen in the history of outrigger canoe paddling. Youngest of 4 siblings having growing up on the shores of Lanikai, by the age of six he was already a competent steersman. Since then Jim has spent a lifetime mastering the art of enjoying the ocean and guiding canoes through the most challenging conditions in the world.
His strength as a coach comes from his deep understanding of the mechanics and technique, plus the physical and mental demands of paddling. He is an expert at developing paddling power and efficiency, drawing from his own extensive experience winning championships in Hawaii, Tahiti, California, Australia and beyond.
Career Highlights
- 5-Time Molokai Hoe World Champion (Open Division)
- Over 20 Top-10 Finishes in the Molokai Hoe
- 5-time Kaiwi Channel Relay winner
- 15-Time Hawaii State Sprint Champion (Senior Men's Open)
- Multiple-time Champion: Catalina Channel, Liberty Cup (NY), Hamilton Cup (Australia)
- Multiple-time World Sprints Champion spanning 30 years
- Lanikai Canoe Club coach since 1989
Champion Paddler & Coach
John Foti
John Foti is a powerhouse and a pillar of the paddling community, with a racing resume that places him among the sport’s elite. As Jim’s co-pilot and one of the key “engine room” paddlers for the dominant Lanikai Canoe Club crews of the 1990s and 2000s, John knows exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level, year after year.
His strength as a coach comes from his deep understanding of both technique and the physical and mental demands of the sport. He is an expert at developing paddling power and efficiency, drawing from his own extensive experience winning championships with brother Jim in Hawaii, Tahiti, California, Australia, and beyond.
Career Highlights
- 5-Time Molokai Hoe World Champion (Open Division)
- Over 20 Top-10 Finishes in the Molokai Hoe
- 6-time Kaiwi Channel Relay winner
- 15-Time Hawaii State Sprint Champion (Senior Men's Open)
- Multiple-time Champion: Catalina Channel, Liberty Cup (NY), Hamilton Cup (Australia)
- Multiple-time World Sprints Champion spanning 30 years
- Multiple-time Kaiwi Channel Solo Top Finisher
Our Extended Ohana of Coaches
The Foti Bros. team extends beyond just Jim and John. For over 50 years, the Foti Bros. have developed a network of the world’s most qualified, accomplished, and respected coaches, plus have groomed young lieutenants to carry on what we’ve learned and teach.
When you join a Foti Bros. event, you are guaranteed to be learning from the best in the sport.
Ready to Join?
