Our busy spring has included two Open Houses and our annual canoe blessing. Welcome to all our new paddlers! So wonderful to see so many new faces in the canoes, along with our members from the beginning. Glad that you are bringing your good mana and strength. Lots of adventures ahead.

Speaking of adventures, Na Leo fielded a coed crew for the Havasu Heats in April, taking first place and head coach Vince San Nicolas brought home a personal first place in his V1. Way to go gang!

The first race of the season is May 7 at Crystal Pier with the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association. We’ll have novice, experienced and keiki crews. But later this summer, members of Na Leo and Team Arizona qualified to compete as an AZ women’s open and master’s crew, and three guys will join USAORCA open men’s crews, at the International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships in August. Sign up to practice on Heja and look forward to seeing you on Tempe Town Lake soon.