Paddle Articles

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Kevin John Siason, Toronto Canada

You’d think that as someone who was born in the Philippines—a country made up of thousands of islands—I would’ve spent ample time out on the ocean. The same thought might also occur to you when you find out that after immigrating to the U.S. with my family at the ripe age of two, I spent the majority of my formative years living in the city of Brea, a suburb that is just under an hour’s drive away from Southern California’s warm sunny beaches. You’d probably think that that’s where I found my love of paddling—but no. I’ve actually never paddled in the Pacific Ocean. I discovered this amazing sport on a cold, rainy September day on the freshwater shores of Lake Ontario. Yup. A born islander who grew up in sunny SoCal managed to somehow let any knowledge of this mostly-ocean-based sport completely evade his attention until he found himself in Toronto, Canada. Pretty wild, right?

Rewind to four years ago. It was the beginning of my third year at Ryerson University when I finally worked up the nerve to tell my friends that I was considering joining the school’s dragonboat team, having seen posters about it in the hallways over the years. You see, I wasn’t really the sporty type, and thus thought that that confession would bring about snide remarks about how I’d never be able to keep up. Luckily for me, one of my friends had already been on the team for a year (a fact I had been completely unaware of), and she convinced me to check out the intro day they were holding that weekend. The timing could not have been more perfect.

I signed up, and we were asked to wake up insanely early to attend a quick info session before getting a chance to experience a day out on the water. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing and the weather was complete shit, but the second our boat left the dock and we started taking a few uneasy strokes, I knew something had changed in me—I had found a sport I could see myself falling in love with (I even have the Instagram post from that exact day to prove it: https://www.instagram.com/p/70tk4jxIdY/ ). As I learned more and more about paddling and proper technique over the next three years, I found that I actually enjoyed the challenge of pursuing that perfect stroke form and working slowly but surely at building up my strength and stamina. Before I found paddling, I had never considered myself an athlete, much less an endurance athlete. But would you believe me if I told you that last September, I paddled a 17km race in OC6 with my coach and some of my teammates? (You don’t have to take my word for it because I have an Instagram post to prove that as well 😜: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bob8UqSB34f/ )

Fast forward to today. I’ve just completed my first regatta for the Ryerson Rams Dragonboat Club as junior coach. Yup, after three years as a paddler, our head coach asked if I wanted to join the coaching staff as one of the coaches in training. Of course, I jumped at the chance—as did my boyfriend and a few of our other friends from the team who were asked. This year, our team is in the middle of a rebuild—having gone from three boats of experienced paddlers down to a single boat that is 85% rookies—and even though that boat was mostly managed and taught by us junior coaches, we still managed to get on the podium twice this weekend, winning a gold in our 200m final and a bronze in our 500m final. I am so proud of them. Seeing the joy and excitement on their faces as we crossed the finish line knowing we had a good chance of getting a medal was totally worth losing my voice from yelling calls from the drummer’s seat all weekend.

If I were to win this Huki, I would use it to help train these newer paddlers and instill in them the kind of deeper love for paddling that I have acquired since 2015. Sure, the boat is fun a way for me to train for dragonboat and long-distance OC racing, but paddling is about more than just training, right? It’s also about the joy of simply being out on the water and being a part of nature in a way that a vast majority of people in this world don’t get to experience on a regular basis. Maybe one day I’ll pass the boat along to another junior coach; perhaps someone who I had taught since they first learned how to paddle so that they can also pass on this love. But for now, I’m focused on what’s coming up for me and my team. This upcoming weekend we’ll be travelling to Vancouver to compete in the Concord Pacific Dragonboat Festival, which is also known as the regatta where the sport of dragonboat was first introduced to Canada. I’ll be there mostly as a junior coach doing most of the drumming, but I told our head coach that for at least one race, I want to be put back in the boat so I can paddle alongside my teammates—and finally take my first few strokes in the Pacific.

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My name is Kevin John Siazon and I’m a SoCal boy now living in Toronto (although I travel back home quite often).

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Karen Inman, New Jersey

In June of 2017, my friend Laura Kent convinced me to try something called Dragon Boating. As someone who is up for trying something new, I said sure. That first time I stepped into the boat, I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. The second I got in the boat, I thought of my father who had died 2 years ago. He spent the majority of his life on the Schuylkill River, rowing Nationals, Olympic Trials and Senior competitions. It occurred to me how tickled he would be to see me here, in a boat, on the river. I regretted that I couldn’t tell him all about it.

I was first surprised how many people were in the boat -20. 10 rows, 2 people sitting side by side. It was quite cozy and a little intimidating. To say that Laura just threw me in there would be an understatement. I had no idea what I was doing but I figured, what the hell. So on the command “paddles up!”, I followed the person in front of me and raised my paddle. Then the command, “Stroke”, and we began. I was surprised how quiet it was as the paddles went into the water. (In later months I found it wasn’t so quiet during a race). So we paddled what seemed like forever, up the Delaware River in New Hope Pa. By the time we finished the “warm up”, my arms were aching and my heart was pounding. Wow, this was a really good workout! The bug had already started to bite me. This was really fun. So, over the next few months, I became a regular, learned the technique, and gradually became aware how dedicated, intense, and passionate these women were about dragon boating. As, each week passed, I was becoming just like them. I found that I was looking forward to practices and couldn’t wait to get on the water. The more I paddled, the more I realized there was so much more to this sport than had first met the eye. To get 20 people, perfectly synced, hitting the water at the exact same time, is not something that comes easily. It takes many hours of practice to perfect and there are many nuances to the stroke that can differentiate a team that is able to win races or lose races. It soon became very clear to me that I was on a team, coached by Greg Chang, that was a winning team, capable of winning a national title and capable of going to the world championship.

So here I am a “newbie” on this amazing team. I clearly have a lot to learn, but seem to be hanging in there for someone who hasn’t done this before. But me, being the competitive person that I am, want to compete and want “TO RACE”. Unfortunately, there are a lot of other, more experienced paddlers than me so the first festival I go to, I only get to race in 1 race. But the race was amazing! I then saw the value of all the practicing. The 200 meter race only lasts about a minute, but there were hours of practice that went into that race. A little disappointed that I didn’t get another race,   Laura, my voice of reason, reminds me that I have only be doing this 6 weeks and to be patient. So I continue to go to every practice and the next festival is in Washington DC. Even though some of our main paddlers were not at the festival I hardly slept the night before. Would I race at all? Would I get a chance? Would I be good enough? So the day came. We had the women’s Fusion Team and the Mixed team competing. I held my breath as they called the people for the first race and my name was called! To make a long day, shorter, I ended up in 6 races. 4 for Fusion and 2 for the mixed team. It was the highlight of my summer. We even got a gold medal. As a 62 year old woman, I have to say, I felt pretty accomplished.

Over the next few months, intensity continued to build for the Nationals. Only a certain number would be chosen for the team and everyone was feeling the pressure. Tensions were high, practices were intense and everyone was on edge. Coach Chang push us harder and harder. Just when we though a practice was finished, as the sun set and lights lit up New Hope, coach would say “again”, and we would continue on our quest for perfection. That continued for weeks until it was a week before Nationals. There would be 24 spots for nationals and there were at least 30 of us hoping for a spot. When the day came and my name was not called, it really hurt. Not so much that I didn’t make it, but because I had put all the time effort and hours into it and wasn’t quite good enough. I kept telling myself that I was new to this and still had a lot to learn. More importantly, the women who did make it, deserved it. They had worked longer and harder than I had and had so much more experience than me but to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

So Nationals came and of course I went to cheer on my team. This was a big deal. The winners would go onto the world championship in Szeged, Hungary in the summer of 2018. I was still bummed that I wouldn’t be paddling but I sucked it up. After the 500 meter races we were in first place and Coach Chang approached me and first asked me what my weight was and then stated, “You seem like a really nice person, can you be a bitch?” A little confused with his question I replied, “Well, if you ask my husband on any given day, he would say yes!” He then went on to ask me if I would be the drummer in the 200 meter races. These races are very quick (under a minute) and he didn’t want any extra weight on the boat. He explained that the drummer not only keeps the cadence by drumming, but also has to motivate and drive the paddlers to reach their maximum potential. I said I was up for it and was happy that I would have a little part on this National team. The drumming experience was great, but it was no substitute for paddling.

So we ended up winning Nationals and I became more determined than ever to be on the team going to Hungary. I approached Coach Chang and asked him what it would take for me to get a seat on this team. He said my technique was decent and I have a good attitude, but I need to get stronger and improve my endurance. He explained that everyone on the team is now eligible to win a seat for Worlds and other paddlers from different clubs can also try out.  This was going to be harder than I thought but I was also going to make sure I did everything I could to make this team. One of the biggest measures of our ability will be the paddle ERG-the bane of everyone's existence. It’s similar to a rowing machine but simulates the paddle stroke. We would be tested on our time and stroke rated on both the 200 and 500 meter races. We have to turn in our scores every 2 weeks. Once again I’m nervous...can I do this?....will I be good enough?.....am I too old?

For the last 12 weeks I have been working with a trainer in addition to running, ERGing and lifting weights on my own. My scores have consistently gone down but it’s a slow process. I have definitely gotten stronger and my muscles have gotten bigger. Unfortunately so have everyone else’s. We thought we wouldn’t be tested until March but it’s been moved up to the beginning of January. The reality is, if I am doing as much training as some of the women who are 20 years younger than me, they will be stronger than me. Making this team is definitely a long shot since I am such a novice and also so old. Haha. Training, however has given me a goal to work towards and I have really enjoyed the journey.

So D-day came and I was not chosen for the team. I mourned for a couple of days but then realized it was a long shot all along. I really had only been paddling for 4-5 months and didn’t have the experience. Everyone who made the team deserved to be there and I was happy for them. I was placed on the “reserve list”. Knowing that a lot could happen between Feb and July, I continued to work out with my trainer, went to the paddle pool, and started paddling with the team in April. I was excited to paddle on Fire, the mixed team and went to practice on May 3rd. Coach Chang pulled me aside and asked if I would like to go to Hungary. My heart was beating and I was trying to contain my excitement as he explained to me the details. So now I am going to Hungary, and hopefully will get a chance to represent my country. It’s been a roller coaster of a journey and I can’t want to see how it ends up. I am so proud to be a part of this team and all of the amazing women who are part of it!

Hungary was a life changing event and our team performed above and beyond our coaches expectations. Now we are back to the grind, thinking ahead to France in 2020. Over the winter we had an intense off-water training program that was so challenging, it made grown men cry. We were told that part of the selection process for France will be time trial testing on the OC1. Several of my team members have their own OC1’s and the minute paddled on one, I fell in love again. It was so great to be able to paddle on both sides and to really “feel” the water on each stroke. I could see what a great training tool this could be in my quest to make the 2020 team going to France and how it will help me develop my stroke. I have been on a quest for a used OC1 now for several months and they are not easy to come by.

I would be honored to put many miles on your OC1 and pass it on to the next deserving paddler when the time comes. You embrace the heart and spirit of the paddling community, who I find to be the most genuine people in the world. Thank you for this opportunity.

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Cathy Bown, California

I started paddling the summer of 2016; I was pretty broken, I was mending from my 3rd attack of cancer(3rd time over 15 years), was nursing a broken heart and pretty much just felt lost.  Lucky for me fate was on my side as I had just moved into a new neighborhood with a neighbor who kept talking to me about outrigger canoe paddling and that I need to come try it!

Quite honestly I didn't even know what an outrigger was.  Finally after a month I showed up on the beach at Lake Natoma to see what all the hype was about.  Everyone was very welcoming and excited to see someone new.  After going over basics with the novice coach(who is now a dear friend) I got into the canoe.  It was an instant addiction.  I've always loved the water but was never quite connected with a water sport.  I played basketball in my younger years so the athlete was in there somewhere and it got a taste of something it had been longing for.  Basically my first paddle kicked my *ss and I loved it!!  The cadence of the stroke, the mental focus, and camaraderie were things I noticed first.  I thought to myself "I don't need therapy, I need this!!!".  I was six months out of abdominal surgery so my core was pretty weak, but my endurance and determination were strong.  I kept showing up for practices, meeting new people, and trying different seats; I wanted to learn all that I could.  The next thing I knew I was stroking my first race- Alcatraz. Ohhhhhh! This is an ocean sport!  I will never forget being at the start line, turning around and looking up at the Golden Gate Bridge; 6 mos ago I was in a hospital just four blocks away.  The start of the race was thrilling and I instantly knew I was about to be challenged physically as well as mentally. The thing I have realized about paddling is that although it is critical to work as a team; you are also alone in your thoughts and you must keep your mind strong and focused so you are an effective teammate. Paddling helped me to believe in myself again. We reach the finish line; It was so cool to see all the different teams, the tents, the food, seeing everyone come together to support each other was fantastic.  I was happy just to have the privilege to be a part of it but we ended up getting first place in the novice course!  Needless to say that is one worshiped beer mug!  It was at that moment I knew I was into something that was greater than cancer, that was more powerful than heart break.  I fell in love with outrigger paddling, I was home.

Pretty soon, my core grew stronger and I learned how to use it effectively, I started to realize what "the catch" meant, I learned how to engage my legs, I started to crave the sound the paddle makes when it enters the water, I slowly learned not to drop my top arm, speed up my return. keep my head up. I kept learning and I kept practicing.

My broken heart began to heal as it was filled with encouragement, excitement, adventure, support and love from my new teammates; my Ohana.  I have met people whom I may have never met who are now friends for life.

My first summer I did the short courses,  My first long course was in Santa Cruz and the boat was filled with friends; we did it together.  As I saw the final buoy my eyes filled with tears, tears of accomplishment and pride and yes a little pain.  Finishing a long distance race was an exhausting yet exhilarating experience. I still get emotional after I finish races; a feeling a cancer survivor knows well - gratitude. Gratitude to be healthy and have the ability to participate in this great sport a lake town knows little about.   As  I continue to do bigger races, I find myself needing more time on the water and I crave the freedom to paddle on different water when I choose to.  I was encouraged to get an OC1 but unfortunately my current finances aren't as ambitious as my dreams.   

I would use this OC1 to train, to finally be able to join my friends who have OC1s and potentially race OC1 races.  I would care for it as if it were my child!

I definitely believe in the power of paying it forward and if I ever wanted to part with this lovely craft  I would donate it with honor and request the same thing be done if that person parted with it.  Even before that I would make sure to pay it forward in another way to keep the positivity going.

Thank you generous donor and Cali Paddler for such a wonderful offer. Thank you for reading my story.

Mahalo, Cathie Bown

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I have a degree in Horticulture, I work for a pool and landscape construction company in Sacramento.  I've been divorced for 8 years and raised two stepsons and have a little sister from the big brother big sister program.  I enjoy paddling, hiking, animals, the ocean, and good friends. I currently live in Folsom with two one-year old cats.

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Abe Feldman, California

PART ONE
I have always struggled with finding a community. Mainly because I have never really felt the need or the inclusivity from other groups I have tried to be a part of. This experience pushed me further to try to find a community as well as a family. [Explain WHY here]. .  but when I tried paddling I instantly fell in love with the sport and I was welcomed with open arms on my schools team. When I joined the team I was one of the only fat people on the boat and that worried me. but that didn’t stop any of the coaches or other paddlers from thinking any different of me. That was something that I had never seen or been a part of before. I am never made fun of or teased about my weight when I am on the boat or at land training. Paddling has changed my life by giving me a chance to make new friends and become a part of a community that is always working on bettering themselves and those around them as well as being a welcoming community to anyone who wanted to try paddling.

Paddling has boosted my self confidence in ways that I haven’t expected and in ways that will better me for the future and in ways that I can better people around me. I am always happy when I see my teammates around school and at practice because I think that they are focused on the same things I am like bettering themselves, being nicer to the community, being role models to those around them, and exemplifying what it means to be a paddler as well as a student athlete. As I continue to paddle I hope to pass on what paddling means to me to newer paddlers.

I am always trying to make myself and my team better whenever we meet. Be it from getting stronger on and off the boat, working on technique, or helping other on what they need help with or if they need a friend to talk to I want to be the person that they can turn to. I want to show them that paddling has been a very good thing for me.

Thinking back to before I started paddling I never really found a group to hang out with and be a part of either at lunch or after school and that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to be a part of anything. But, when my friend  asked me to try paddling I was wary because I thought “Why would they want a fat person that would weigh down the boat on their team or I don’t think I should because I would tip the boat.” When I went to my first practice and looked around I did not see anyone stare at me or say anything mean to me. They just saw a potential new paddler with room to grow which surprised me because when I started I could barely do a good push up and now I can do many good ones. I would not be where I am today without paddling. Paddling has made me a better person.

PART 2
I would use this canoe by furthering my personal growth. I would use the OC to work further on my own technique so when I get to practice I can help others with their technique and show them how to work even better as a team. I would also use the OC to work out in ways that I can not do on a dragon-boat. I can also use it to help out my team by paddling alongside them and giving them pointers on what they are doing well and what they can work on so they can be even better.

I can pass it along someday to someone who reminds myself of a person struggling to find their community the way I was when I joined dragon-boat. I want to show them that this sport is one of family by showing that the OC is a way that people can work hard for something that their hard work will pay off in ways they would help people just as I helped them. I am always looking for ways to better myself and those around me because that is what this sport has done for me and that is how I want to pass on the tradition of paddling and of finding your family.

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My name is Abe Feldman. I am a rising senior at Mission High School in San Francisco CA. I began paddling for my High School’s Dragon-boat team in August of 2017 and have raced with them for almost two years. Additionally, I joined an adult team called Ripple Effect in the summer of 2018 with my coach and friend Kyra Bajeera and have been racing with them for the past year.

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Marc (Hapa) Hammer, California

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marc (Hapa) Hammer. I have been in the past an avid outrigger paddler for many years, to the extent of being a President to a local San Diego Outrigger Canoe Club for over 5 years.

The paddling community has been near and dear to me, but because of numerous surgeries, neck, both elbows, shoulder and more recently a pacemaker it has slowed me down. Been talking to a dear friend of mine and he’s been trying to get me back on the water for some hydro therapy.

As a paddler I have been very fortunate to have paddles with some awesome folks from all over the US. I have been able to paddle with clubs in California, Arizona, Washington St, Texas, New York, Hawaii, Japan and Somoa. If you paddle you understand the felling to be asked by others to paddle with them and there clubs. If you paddle you get the feelings

I do not consider myself as a Kumu, but have been honored to be able to pass on some of my knowledge of paddling, steering, reading water, parts of canoe and the parts of the paddle. I have been blessed teaching a few choose individuals on how to steer and then watch them excel. But mostly blessed of the feelings of peace with ones self as it pertains to paddling.

In conclusion of this I hope you consider me for this awesome gift. To be able to use this canoe as a form of rehabilitation and reconnecting with the ocean and community. Also to be able to keep the Mana of the gift giver alive with every paddle stoke.

Allow me to say Mahalo for even considering me for this.
Mahalo, Marc (Hapa) Hammer

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Jeremy Louie, California

As I quickly surfaced the ocean waters, I gasped for air. I was disoriented, afraid, and barely holding onto life. From a distance, I could see our capsized outrigger canoe. And although I managed to swim towards the boat’s iako despite the unforgiving current, I was at a loss as to what to do next. No one on our crew knew what to do in the event of a huli, and we ended up drifting in the middle of Marin County without a clue as to what to do next.

In the end, our coach braved the freezing waters to help overturn our canoe. Practice was ultimately cut short, and all crews decided to head home. But even after drying up on shore, I was largely unnerved. My hands continued to quiver, and I found myself rapidly downing coffee as a method of coping. I felt largely guilty for putting my crew in danger because, given that I was seated at seat two, I was partly responsible for saving the ama in the event of a huli. I continued to guilt myself for several days, and even hesitated to attend the following practice because I didn’t want to place another crew in danger again.

Throughout the week, however, I realized that pinpointing every mistake during that day reflected my refusal to accept the past. I was placing necessarily excessive guilt on myself – even if it was my fault – on things that I could not otherwise change. As a result, the fear of what may happen dissuaded me from returning to what I used to love, that is paddling.

In the end, I eventually ended up attending the following practice. To my surprise, I was warmly welcomed. When I returned to the water, I was admittedly a bit scared. But after getting a few strokes in, all the stress I had previously accumulated dissipated. Ironically, my first huli experience had nearly discouraged me from the one stress outlet that was necessary for me to move on.

Ultimately my first huli experience was more illuminating, if anything. I learned that what did happen in the past is beyond our control. Additionally, I realized that the past should be used as a tool to fix mistakes rather than fear them. Above all, my first huli experience provided the contrast needed for me to realize how much I truly love paddling.

I hope, given the opportunity to have access to an OC1, that I help ignite that passion for paddling in other athletes alike – particular on my current dragon boat team, San Francisco Dragon Warriors (DW). Having originally come from a dragon boat background as opposed to outrigger canoe, I truly want dragon boat paddlers to experience the difference in being an outrigger canoe. The ability to surf waves, catch swells, and even huli are all things that dragon boat paddlers do not often experience. And I believe that those other factors to consider are what may be enough to re-lit that passion for paddling. With that said, my plans for the OC1 are not so much use it for myself but rather give it back to the paddling community for those who may need it more. I hope that in doing so that I can popularize the sport, even if it’s only among my own dragon boat team, because it may be the one stress outlet for others – much like how it was for me. I know for a fact that, given how many other passionate paddlers there are on DW, that the OC1 will continue to be in good hands.

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My name is Jeremy, and I’ve been paddling for over four years now! I actually owe paddling for several great memories I’ve made over the years, ranging from ranging
from being the third best youth team in the Bay Area to Secret Santa’s at our team’s house. More recently, I actually just started outrigger canoeing in order to try other
aspects of paddling.

Outside of paddling, I will be attending UCLA has a Mathematics of Computation major this upcoming fall quarter. I also enjoy portrait photography, and I hope to do
wedding or journalism photography as a small side career while on campus. I’m also an avid powerlifter, which is a strength sport where you lift maximally in the squat, bench, and deadlift. I occasionally volunteer to coach other powerlifters as well as a way to give back to the community. In the future, I plan on competing and hopefully medalling at California State Championships in my weight class.

For the future, I definitely plan on paddling at UCLA – both on the campus’ dragon boat team and perhaps even Lanakila Outrigger Canoe. If given the opportunity, I would like to coach for UCLA Dragon Boat. I would also like to continue to popularize the sport by producing works of media for paddling – whether it’s making cinematic race day or even promotional videos.

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Marcos De La Rosa, California

I was introduced to SF Dragon Warriors by a fellow church goer Eddie Alvarez.  I got interested in wanting to paddle after watching a competition last year at Lake Merritt in Oakland.  Eddie informed me of a Friends and Family event that was coming up and if I was serious,  I should sign up and attend, so I did.  That was back in January.

I initially wanted to join as exercise,  something to help me get in shape. So I joined the  team.  The Dragon Warriors had something else in mind! I was a team member now and they are going to push and encourage me to get to a level of competing. At first I couldn't even breathe,  in order to do that I had to quit smoking! Before the team, I wouldn't quit even for my wife or my Doctor, who kept insisting for me to quit!  I started pedaling a stationary bike during the week and walking 5 miles on the Saturdays to try to build my stamina.

Here we are in June and although I have only lost 2 lbs since I have started, I feel more fit.  My chest is getting bigger.  I will admit I don't see a lot of physical change but being diabetic, I have noticed my sugar numbers have dropped to almost normal levels.

Being a part of SF Dragon Warriors I have a big family.  Always encouraging and motivating to get us through practice and to push ourselves to the next level.  We are a team, teaching us to hold ourselves accountable! We all push the boat, not just 1 person.  If I was considering to win the OC1 , I would not only use it to make me a better paddler.  I would also let anyone on the team that wanted OC1 time to borrow it as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration, Marcos De La Rosa

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< View all entries

The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

< View all entries

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Zayar Dorku, California

Hello, my name is Zayar Dorku and I am 10 years old. I have been paddling for 5 years. I paddle in Martinez for Golden State Outrigger Canoe Club. My father is West African, more specifically Ghanaian from the Ewe people. My mother is Fijian, although she has a little bit of Chinese from her father's side. As you should know, I am writing this essay to win a free OC1.

When I first started paddling 5 years ago, I wasn’t that much of a water lover. In fact, when I was told that you could flip, I got really paranoid. (I’m not anymore). When I got exceedingly better, I started to stay around the water.

Paddling has also made me more athletic and more stronger. As a seven year old, I only played soccer. From time to time I did workout but only with simple stuff. Over the three years it took me to become a ten year old, I picked up more sports along the way, becoming a better soccer player, a full time paddler, a time to time rugby, football, and basketball player, and many more. My legs became much stronger and I became used to going long distances. From making me a better swimmer to helping me learn about my ancestry (we Fijians use a boat called a drua, it uses a sail instead of paddles), paddling has truly changed my life.

I plan to use this canoe to help me train, compete in races and have fun. I plan to someday pass it along by getting my children to paddle and to use my OC1. Hopefully, they will pass it onto their children, and my bloodline will paddle until there is no water left to paddle on.

I hope you will consider me getting this OC1 as I would really like it. Paddling is now a very important part of my life and if I could get this canoe, it would be the highlight of my year.

Sincerely, Zayar Dorku

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The following submission was made as an entry to win a OC1 from an amazingly generous donor, who wanted to see the canoe truly enjoyed, rather than turn a profit. Entrants were asked to submit an essay answering the following:

• Part 1: “Describe how paddling has changed your life.”
• Part 2: “How do you plan to use this canoe, and perhaps someday pass it along?”

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Jennifer Dunavin, California

I am fortunate enough to have grown up in Southern California and in Ventura County my whole life. As long as I remember, the ocean from Ventura, Malibu down to San Diego have been a part of who I am. Beach culture, no matter what coastline you are from, it seems we all share that same feeling of zen and exhilaration near or on the water. I am grateful to my parents who were transplants from the East Coast and the South. My stomping grounds were 12 miles south on Kanan Rd. Zuma and Malibu are where I swam, and surfed on occasion. The ocean has always been home to me. So, the question of how Outrigger Paddling has changed my life? The broad answer is, being my authentic self. Paddling found me, I did not find it.

Novice year 2017 with my Ohana, Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club. A close friend had introduced me. From her previous novice year, I heard so many stories of practice, races and gatherings. Until I actually stepped on the sand where our canoes rest, I had no idea what I was about to embark upon. On a Sunday morning, I finally took her up on the invitation to attend a clinic. I knew what the boats looked like, not realizing they are not docked, but on the sand facing front to our cove. Canoes ready to be lifted on wheels with many of the veterans of the club and new nervous faces. What stood out to me initially, the members were so helpful, and seemed like they could not wait to get on the water and share their knowledge. Being able to move that boat as one, and gliding across the top of the water was so completely different for me. I have kayaked, but this was on a another level. The gliding part initially may be an exaggeration, all of us clumsily plopped our blade in the water. All the same, when we landed and put the canoes back in their home, I knew I wanted to come out again and keep trying. That is exactly what I did, and became a Novice Hokuloan.

Each practice was more challenging than the next. Along with my Novice brothers and sisters, all of us were challenged, but always managed to laugh and enjoy each other. Then finally before my first race, we had the opportunity to go outside the harbor for a ten mile practice. I couldn’t believe I completed it in one piece, but felt amazing. As if I could lift the world on my shoulders. The next day, that’s exactly how my body felt. Soreness in  places I didn’t know could get sore, my hair hurt! All I wanted was more. Paddling brings me to a center of balance, all the while my personal life was chaos. Within four years, I lost my brother in law, As well as my mom. Then the living death to an end of my marriage of 18 years. While life was a swirling tornado of mourning, the ocean was always there waiting to see what I have in me to go up against her. She challenged me physically as well as emotionally.

As 2017 progressed, I participated in only three Iron races. In July if that year, my marriage was done and I had to break away from my team abruptly to deal with all of that. Fast forward to December. Sadly having to leave Ventura temporarily with my two teenagers, ironically to Oak Park, which was recently devastated by the Woolsey fires. The Thomas fires devastated Ventura. What seemed never ending, by February of 2018, I moved back to my home of Ventura. Just taking each day as it came, I had no expectations. I was a single mom now. Priorities are obvious. Roof over head, food and essentials. My friend also fellow teammate asked me if I was coming back to paddle?  My answer was that I’m not sure. Time, finances, the usual when you are trying to make a whole new life, and have even more responsibility. So happy just to be back, I made it down to our beautiful Harbor Cove Beach. She let me use her one man, while she and another teammate used a two man. The ocean again, my friend was there waiting for me. I was a little rusty, but she was behaving to gift me with a rejuvenating healing paddle out. I could smell the fire still in the air that decimated our beautiful hillsides. There was runoff in the ocean from charred homes that people lost, and could not return to build. The juxtaposition was I was free and rebuilding my life, healing just as Ventura was from the fires. I was motivated more than ever to go back to my team.

In 2018, I worked harder and participated in every Iron race. All the early mornings, labor, rigging, de-rigging, lifting boats onto a trailer. Waking up at 2:30 am to drive to San Diego to put in your time, race then turn right back around to do it all over again. Who does that? Obsessed paddler people that’s who! Which I am proud to be a part of. Paddling has brought me peace amongst life chaos. My kids also benefit from it. My daughter Camille, then 16 years old, also ended up joining. Doing Iron, Sprints and 9 man including the Catalina Crossing her first year! This all could not have been possible if it were not for the Ohana spirit that runs through this community. Not just my team, but our sister teams out there. We lift one another up, and I am grateful for all the opportunities and generosity of my paddling family. One of our many stunning summer evenings after a practice, the sunset was stunning.Tired, walking to my car, I grabbed my phone and decided to snap a photo.The Ocean called to me, while the  sun was fireball pink sinking into her. There was something familiar, where I was standing, the whole set up of the shot. I realized I had taken the same exact photograph one year ago almost to the day. Now life was so different. How amazing that you could be standing in the same exact spot under completely different circumstances. Perspective is everything, and I am grateful.  

Mahalo Nui Loa

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