Month: January 2025

Start of the season – small boats

/ Peggy Coulombe

Eight Na Leo O Ke Kai paddlers took to the waves in San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the 30th anniversary Hano Hano race. In a short course that had more than 400 paddlers, our own Laura Baack and Amy Hartle came in third of all OC2s (out of 35) and first in women’s OC2. Joining them on the course were Na Leo President Betty Flores and husband Richard, in their very first Hano Hano race. The long course, with winds gusting between 20 and 25 mph, was moved inside of the jetty. More than two hundred paddlers raced two rounds of the short course. Ceci Ng and Andy Thomas came in second in master’s coed OC2 and Alicia Lin Kee and Hisano Tasedan finished third in master’s women’s OC2. Fantastic turnout and efforts by all our clubmates! Also, thanks to our Na Leo board, coaches and paddlers for working as volunteers for January’s Rock and Roll Marathon to help raise money for a new unlimited canoe for the club.

Na Leo Happy New Year

/ Peggy Coulombe

The leadership team and coaches for Na Leo O Ke Kai would like to thank everyone for a wonderful 2024! We closed out the year with a bang, racing at Another Dam Race in Parker, AZ (photo below!), which we’ve attended since it was started, working on the canoes, and participating in the Na Leo Thanksgiving Fundraiser imu, as well as volunteering for the AZ Ironman, as a fundraiser. Coach Richard and Betty Flores hosted the end of season party for the club, family and friends, and Malie Kawamoto and Na Leo families hosted a party for the keiki. We are thankful and looking forward to all the shared adventures ahead in 2025. A big welcome to our new 2025 board and coaches! Thankful for you, your good mana and generosity.

Last Race of the Season! Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai represented huge this weekend with the Keiki’s Double Hull Short Course, the first ever Relay Race (20 Miles), we had a mix crew of 12 entered, a mix long course crew, 6 of our Na Leo paddlers hopped in with Oceanside’s Triple Hull Party Boat and 4 of our Na Leo paddlers hoping in with an NAC crew and a Texas crew! Everyone paddling hard, good mana and with plenty Aloha! Mahalo Coach Richard for keeping us together as one this weekend!