Head Coach Eric Tang was born and raised in Arizona. He started with crew rowing before giving dragon boating a try in 2002. Despite now knowing what the sport was, he joined a team made up of rowers, rugby players, and an eclectic mix of random people to go compete in Taipei, Taiwan. He liked it so much, he gave up rowing and stuck with dragon boating, and helped formed Arizona’s first team, the Gila Dragons. In 2012, he followed a few of his fellow dragon boaters and joined Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai, competed in his first race at the Kahanamoku Klassic, and then jumped right to the Queen Lili’uokalani race. He continued racing dragon boat and outrigger, and even served as Na Leo Board Treasurer and Novice Coach in 2017, before taking a break in 2018. Missing the OC family and racing, he rejoined the team in 2024. He looks forward to helping the club grow and promote the traditions and competitive sport of Hawaiian outrigger racing.

 Assistant Coach, Kahale Faaumu was born and raised on the island of Maui. He grew up paddling and developed a deep connection with the ocean. Competing across Hawaii for many years, he raced in the prestigious Molokai Hoe, before coming to live in Arizona. Now with Na Leo O Ke Kai, Kahale has competed in many races in Arizona and California. He also qualified at USAORCA U.S. National Sprint Championships to race as a member of the 2024 U.S. team for International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships in Hilo. With a strong foundation in Hawaiian paddling and international experience, Kahale is passionate about mentoring athletes, fostering teamwork, and helping paddlers reach their full potential.

  Keiki Coach Vince San Nicolas, as a child traveled the world from Belgium to Korea and everywhere in between, before finally settling in Hawaii. He graduated from Kapolei High School in 2011, where he lettered in volleyball, then moved out to Arizona. He wanted to find a way to connect back to the island culture and the water itself, thus enters Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai. Vince has competed in many races in California, Arizona and Hawaii, including his first Moloka’i Hoe in 2015. In 2022, he was a member of the USAORCA elite men’s crew for International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships in London and he completed his 7th Chattajack race (31 miler). He also competes in prone and SUP. He served as Na Leo O Ke Kai’s head coach from 2019-2024.