Instead of gathering around the hibachi and coolers, the friends are now bonded by canoes.

What started out as a group plan to lose weight has turned into a successful rookie season for the men's novice B paddlers at the Healani Canoe Club.

"We would hang out and barbecue all the time — just getting overweight," paddler Derrick Honda said. "We finally decided it would be a great idea to get healthy together, and this has been the perfect sport for us."

They won their race at the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Championship Regatta on July 20, and will be one of the top seeds in the men's novice B race at the state championships on Saturday.

The Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta is scheduled to run all day on Saturday at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

The novice B division is for adult paddlers with no previous experience. With that in mind, Saturday will be the first state race for all the paddlers in that division.

"There's a lot of nervousness, along with excitement and anxiety mixed together," said paddler Blaise Hirayama. "I think this started out as a fun thing — another way for us to get together. But we've formed this competitive nucleus now, and we understand how big (Saturday's regatta) is."

Members of the Healani men's novice B team are Matt Grace, Blaise Hirayama, Drake Hirayama, Derrick Honda, Kamu Hughes, Peter Kim, Erik Lange, Lokahi Mimms, Gavan Miyashita, Kalalea Montgomery and Tony Nguyen.

Five are Honolulu firefighters; almost all played other sports in high school or college.

"When they first came out, I could see they were good athletes," said Joven Asuncion, who coaches the crew. "That definitely helped the progress."

They joined Healani because Kea Pa'iaina is the club's president and head coach. He is also a firefighter, and attended Kamehameha Schools with several of them.

"Usually, when novice B guys come out, I have no idea who they are or what they can do," Pa'iaina said. "When I saw these guys, I knew they would be OK."

But the paddlers said the sport of canoe paddling was not as easy as it looked for the first few weeks of practice.

"Sore back, fatigued muscles ... it was extremely hard," Honda said. "It's still tough, but at least we're in better shape now."

The size of some of them was another issue. Honda, for example, said he has lost 30 pounds since the start of the season.

Coincidence or not, the loss in weight has resulted in better results in the canoe. The Healani crew did not win a race until the last regatta of the regular season. They then won the O'ahu championship to clinch OHCRA's top seed for the state regatta.

"The guys have really improved," Asuncion said. "But we know we're not the favorites at states. There are so many good crews at states."

Still, Asuncion said the friendship that the paddlers had before they joined the club has contributed to the success.

"The fact that they all knew each other really helps them, I think," Asuncion said. "They all get along, and that makes a difference in this sport."

Healani is not considered a big club, so the men's novice B paddlers are being looked at as part of a building process. The men's novice B crew was the only Healani crew to earn a top seed for the state regatta.

"In two or three years, I can see some of those guys competing with the best we have," Pa'iaina said. "They've been scoring big points for us all year."

The paddlers said they would like to stick with the sport, and perhaps form a long-distance crew in a few years.

"We're all pretty competitive so I think we'd like to see how much more we can do," Honda said.

Only six will get to paddle in Saturday's state race, but Asuncion has not selected a starting lineup yet.

For the record, the hibachi and coolers are still part of the bonding process.

"We know when to have fun and when to take things seriously," Blaise Hirayama said. "We're just a bunch of friends who found something we can work at together and have fun at the same time."

As a club, Healani will enter the AA Division. That division will feature a fierce competition for the team trophy, with at least 10 clubs considered contenders.

"That's going to be a tough division," Pa'aina said. "We'll try our best and have fun, but I don't know if we have the numbers to keep up."

The biggest clubs — including seven-time defending champion Hawaiian Canoe Club — are in the AAAA Division.

AAAA DIVISION (21 CREWS OR MORE)

Lanikai (37), Hawaiian (33), Kailua (31), Hui Nalu (26), Outrigger (25).

AAA DIVISION (13 TO 20 CREWS)

Kai 'Opua (20), Kihei (20), Puna (19), Hanalei (19), Waikiki Beach Boys (17), Koa Kai (14), 'Alapa Hoe (13).

AA DIVISION (7 TO 12 CREWS)

Kahana (12), Kane'ohe (12), Lokahi (12), Lae'ula O Kai (12), Manu O Ke Kai (12), Tui Tonga (12), Wa'akapaemua (12), Healani (12), Keauhou (12), Keahiakahoe (12), Hui Lanakila (9), Leeward Kai (9), Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (9).

A DIVISION (6 CREWS OR FEWER)

Kawaihae (6), Ka Mamalahoe (6), New Hope (5), Na Wa'a Hanakahi (5), Na Molokama (5), Kumulokahi Elks (5), Honolulu Pearl (4), Na Kai Ewalu (4), Wailea (4), Keaukaha (4), Kamehameha-Hilo (4), Kai E Hitu (4), Hui Wa'a O Waiakea (4), Niumalu (4), Moloka'i (4), Kai Poha (4), North Shore (4), Waikiki Surf Club (3), Waimanalo (3), Kaiola (3), 'Anuenue (3), Keoua (3), Waikoloa (3), Kukui O Moloka'i (3), Kalihi Kai (3), Kai Oni (2), Paddlers of Laka (2), Kilohana (2), Napili (2), Keola O Ke Kai (1), Hana (1), Kailana (1), I Mua (1).