September brought the last 9-man change race of the season, the championship Catalina Crossing. Na Leo O Ke Kai fielded a men’s team on Sunday’s 31 mile paddle from Catalina Island to Newport Beach, supported by boat coaches Alicia Lin Kee and Carol Ducosin. Beautiful day, flat conditions and the perfect ocean for our paddlers making their very first crossing (5:05) – congratulations guysand thank you Chris Silvester for the awesome photos you take every year.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Malia canoe cast from an original koa canoe. It was brought to Arizona by Uncle Lono in the 90s, and named after him following his passing in 2005. Lono was renovated this spring – coming alive again in its full king’s colors of gold and red. Keeping Lono company is a new kid in town, Moana. Also a Malia canoe, bought and brought to Tempe Town Lake thanks to Aunty Diane Escalante (by way of Havasu OCC), Moana was named by the keiki crew and renovated this summer in Na Leo green.  Sundays never looked so good! To find out more about what the keiki team is up go, check out the Keiki Facebook page. . Looking good, Na Leo!

If you wonder how paddling in Arizona differs from everywhere else, three things come to mind: triple digit temperatures, sunscreen reapplication and haboobs! Last Monday’s practice had all three! Keep cool Na Leo 8).

Haboob building over Tempe Town Lake

Another SCORA race season has kicked off with the first race of the year at Crystal Pier. Our ladies’ and men’s crews, and novice short course, gathered for an adventure on the ocean. Did you miss out? The next races are coming up quick, so hop in a canoe and put the pedal to the metal! Be sure to stay connected to all the club happenings in 2018 on Facebook.Keiki crews (above) competed at ShakaFest in San Diego. Awesome good times.

Aloha! Time to get prepped for the race season with our annual huli drills, race meeting and club BBQ on April 21. Remember to get your Tonto Park pass!  And stay connected to all the club happenings in 2018 on Facebook.

March Madness for Na Leo has meant a great weekend at the Aloha Festival. If you came to our tent or went to Paradise BBQ, you met some of our wonderful paddlers and coaches (and our new unlimited canoe, Moku Kai). Come join us on Tempe Town Lake at one of our general practices on Tues. at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m  (except the weekend of the Dragon Boat Festival, March 24 and 25).

We also kicked off our first keiki practice for 2018 on March 15. Awesome to see so many faces back for more adventure. Our next keiki practice is Sunday, April 1 at 7 a.m.  Come down and hop in the boat! The first race of the year is ShakaFest in San Diego on April 28.

Stay connected to all the club happenings in 2018 on Facebook.

Na Leo O Ke Kai kicked off the 2018 race season on Feb. 10 with our club’s annual canoe blessing. This year was special with the addition of Moku Kai, our new, most beautiful unlimited canoe.

General practices are Tues. at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. There are also lots of special events coming up, like our annual Kalua Pig Fundraiser (get your orders in!) o Feb. 24, and taking part in the Arizona Aloha Festival in March. Stay connected to all the club happenings in 2018 on Facebook.

And as you get ready to train and race, don’t forget to check out the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA) calendar:

Our keiki team celebrated their season with a potluck gathering at Papago Park. The head coach, Christel Savoy (in green) and assistant coaches Elena Curlee, Taliah Rodriquez and Joey Kau, recognized the year’s MVPs along with all the wonderful kids and parents in our Na Leo Ohana.

Congratulations to all our club members and thanks for a wonderful 2017. Hope all your New Year’s wishes come true. Speaking of 2018, pre-season ocean winter fun can be had at the 2018 SoCal winter series races  and stay tuned for all the club happenings coming up on Facebook.

The season is winding down, but not the adventures. Assistant Coach Vince San Nicolas (yay, the guy who took second in Molokai Hoe Koa), pulled out another win at the Chattajack Challenge, coming 3rd – after 30 miles – in prone. He also steered Na Leo’s unlimited OC6 men’s crew at Another Dam Race to a second place win, with crewmates: Men’s coach Rich Gorrill, Eric Tang, John Parker, Gene Williams, Brock Dunlap. Congratulations guys and to all our racers who joined in the fun!

A reminder that the SoCal winter series races officially kicks off this weekend at La Jolla Shores Invitational. Check out the upcoming dates and dust off your SUP, OC1, OC2 or surfski.

For all the club happenings, please check our Facebook.

One of our own, Assistant Coach Vince San Nicolas crossed the Kai’wi Channel with team Kai Wai/Puakea competing in the Molokai Hoe and winning a 2nd place medal in the koa division. Established in 1952, this race is one of the top outrigger race challenges in the world. Congratulations to Vince (green hat) and his crew on their incredible accomplishment in Ho’ola. We are proud of you!

If you haven’t already signed up, get on it! Another Dam Race is coming up on Nov. 4 (Parker, AZ). Last change to register is Oct. 18. Check in on FaceBook for details on practices and club social events. Good times!