A magnificent obsession. To build a beautiful dream of the most magnificent OCEAN voyaging canoe that plied the pacific ocean.''
The P.M. Balin Malay O'Polynesian Voyaging Canoe Project. A private non profit corporation and philantropic organization. An ethnic cultural & educational entity interested in research, developement, preservation and teaching of Polynesian heritage, history, legacy, and all the disciplines & principles of the philosophic customs of community ecomical industrial arts & family values.
Workshops are being implemented- Canoe building, Paddle making, & teaching maritime activities of the Outrigger Canoe racing and handling.
Future workshops to be implemented. A site, sceduled to develope into a campus plantation traditional ancient Polynesian farming and animal-fish husbandry aqua culture for sustanance as well as experiancing and learning to construct the large voyaging canoe for ocean crossing. About 90 to 135 feet and larger.
Depending on the progress of building the introductory regatta designs of this organization, by author Peter Balin,which will be the building block of foundation to building greater funds and creditability. This should take place in about year 2004.
Building of the first set of voyaging canoe hulls will take approximately one year to completion and another year to complete outfitting, sail rigging, & crew training.
WE are seeking you're membership and your support for establishment of a Polynesian learning center whose purpose is to maintain and explore knowledge of Malayo-Polynesian culture' particularly of canoe building and sailing traditions, but also of social/cultural ways that we believe provide an important contrast to today's modern world. That may enhance a stronger family and community bond.
Under the vision of Peter Balin, our center will not only a program for the physical and mental well-being of our students, but will also be a program for those with acquired disabilities for occupational reahabilitory therapy and spiritual, emotional-balance, self esteem and dignity. Our approach will emphasize teamwork and respect for all environments. We will create and maintain an alcohol-drug free environment with classrooms, meeting place, recreational facilities, and a special library/museum visitors' center. However futuristic- but more important then just to hope for, it is now a time to implement these ideas before they are forgotten.
The main component of our program will be hands-on approach to Polynesian canoe's, necessitating that the Center be located with direct access to waterways and the ocean. All instructions will be done by qualified, trained and experienced person, for the best possible safety for our students, there will be classes in canoe and paddle making taught by Peter Balin in our on site woodworking shop.
The above concept mentioned, are set for the next stage when we are ready and all the preliminary programs have been completed which are now set into motion, that is to build all of the introductory canoe model's of the design's of Peter Balin for this corporation's stepping stone and building block's.
