Paddle Articles

Hawaii - Aloha and Honor (A Cali Paddler's first time racing in Hawaii)

Cali Paddler Kona Queen Liliuokalani
Good luck everyone who is racing this weekend in honor of Queen Lili`uokalani. Knowing that you are all about to embark on such a special and fun race, I wanted to dust off and share my first time racing in Hawaii, and hope that you all have the same magical experience I did. Then be sure to bring that amazing back home to California with you, so we can continue to pay respect to our paddling heritage and share with other Cali Paddlers how amazing an impact our sport can have.

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NorCal Outrigger and Why it Rocks!

Norcal Outrigger Paddling
Pretty cool when you travel 8 hours, (12 if you embrace wrong turns as opportunities to explore our state), arrive in foreign waters, and make friends with several hundred strangers who are all related to you through the community of paddling. Even cooler when you have a chance to relive it in a recap. Our trip to the Bay Area and the Kula Anela (Angel Island) Race was our chance to check out the teams and paddlers who paddle with NCOCA (Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association). We are still reliving the fun!

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A leash. The importance of how to put it on...and take it off!

Leash RemovalLeashes are a hot topic with the recent tragedy at the Gorge. The industry is writing articles about how to get more folks to wear them, and some very valid and creative ideas are being floated (pardon the pun). That said...one safety topic regarding leashes, that I feel often gets overlooked is how to quickly detach a leash. Just like in surfing, there are rare times when you need to detach ASAP. And not doing so can be just as dangerous as not wearing one.

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Post Paddle Pains

Paddle Pains
Here is a brief recap of some of my favorite pains over the years that I hope you can all empathize with. Not every race or long practice hurts. But some do. Some paddles are 6 hours on the water. Or non-stop intervals until its dark and you can't see. Some are fighting a headwind, jumping out of a chase boat 10 times or pushing yourself way more than you ever have as you are inspired by your teammates. Loading heavy boats, boards, and gear. Some of the paddles are sneaky-oooph....as in, "wow, I didn't think I would be this sore". Some, you know you are in for a long 24 hours of pain. Allow me this therapeutic walk-through.

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Dragon Boat - First Impressions from an Outrigger Canoe Paddler

Dragon Boat from an outrigger paddler perspectiveOk, I have to admit, Dragon boat was not something I had experienced in any capacity, including watching, before a recent weekend...let alone having even paddled it. But within the last week or so, I have become a huge fan. Yes the races are shorter than I am used to. Yes you only paddle on one side. Yes it's kinda rad! I attended the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium, and had several observations beyond the typical stereotypes I had before.

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Your novice season - soak it in

To everyone who is a novice outrigger paddler...you have no doubt received countless months of attention from coaches and thoughtful open paddlers. You have broken down paddling barriers you previously thought impossible ("you want me to paddle HOW far?"). You have pushed your limits and done so for your teammates, your team, and yourself. You have become a paddler!

So, as your novice season gets close to completion, my advice is simple.

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The secret drill to being a better paddler

The secret to being a better paddler.

I have the secret…and I am going to share it.

In the past, I had the privilege of coaching outrigger canoe, and one of my favorite drills would be introduced pretty early. I have also found it to be a drill that has worked for my own paddling. It is THE most effective drill for any type of paddling, and I would stake my reputation on it.

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The race weekend hangover

post paddle race(If you liked, "an oc6 paddler on race day", consider this the humorous follow up)  - So, maybe the title is a little misleading, though the beer garden or after-party for some could make it true. But sometimes after a long day at the beach, in the canoe, and journey to the far-off place called ‘the race site’, we can feel pretty beat up, scarred, chaffed, dehydrated and haggard. A little hungover if you will. So allow me to share some of those post-race whinings and whimperings many of you are possibly feeling in between checking all the FB photos, race results, and looking up what D.O.M.S. means.

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An OC6 Paddler on Race Day

Something special is about to take place! But are you really ready to experience it?
This coming Saturday marks a very special day for outrigger canoe paddlers in California. With logistics being figured out, alarm clocks being set, and paddles set by the front door, it will certainly be on everyone’s mind as we get closer. Race season for many will begin. And for the first-time paddlers, so will your paddling career!

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Safety Items to Bring on a Paddle

OCvivalKit
It is important to be fast on the water, but sometimes, it is just as important to be prepared. Not only in training and condition, but in regards to the equipment we bring along. Whether you paddle SUP, Outrigger Canoe, Surf-ski, Prone or a Kayak, I shared some items below that have come in handy for me.

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