Adult and Keiki Head 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 6th Chattajack race (31 miler). He also competes in prone and SUP.

Adult Assistant Coach Makana Clarke was born and raised on the Northshore of O’ahu. She has been living in both Arizona and Hawaii for more than a year and is extremely humbled and blessed to assist the coaching staff this year. Over the last decade, she and her Ohana would visit in-laws in Arizona every summer for three weeks. She needed a place to practice outrigger canoe paddling as it was the middle of regatta season in Hawaii. Asking around, she discovered Na Leo O Ke Kai on Tempe Town Lake. Outrigger canoe has been a part of her life since childhood. The joy she has about paddling is that no matter what age you are, how seasoned or experienced you may be, the sport is always evolving and the ocean always has lessons for you!

Adult Assistant Coach Richard Flores has been paddling for seven years. He has participated in a number of Southern California Outrigger Racing Association events, including Crystal Pier Race, Kahanamoku Classic, Iron Champs and the Catalina Channel Crossing, in addition to Another Dam Race in Parker, Arizona. He will attend his first International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships in Hilo in August 2024. His main focus is to share the Aloha spirit and welcome all to the club and represent Na Leo proudly. We can We will, We must!

Keiki Assistant Coach Malie Kawamoto was born and raised on O’ahu. She moved around the continental U.S. and was looking for ways to keep her son connected with his Hawaiian culture when they moved to Arizona. Na Leo `O Ke Kai warmly welcomed them in 2017. She enjoys paddling OC6, OC1, SUP, as well as, dragon boats. Malie is thrilled to share her passion for paddling with the local community.