Team Phoenix is a new program hosted by Na Leo O Ke Kai, with a decade-old history. Like the keiki program, specialized for keiki and juniors, the Team Phoenix sprint program hosted by Na Leo offers the tailored, next-level experience building sprint skills for paddlers, as well as representation for Asian Pacific Islanders and others in elite sprint competition in V1 and V6. The goal is to field crews that qualify at the U.S. National Sprint Championships and represent the US at the International Va’a Federation Sprint Championships overseas.

Members of Team Phoenix form a network of relationships across the US, in support of Na Leo O Ke Kai’s goals to build the larger Ohana Va’a in the Southwest and West. Participating in Team Phoenix also helps smaller clubs with limited people and resources attain their competition goals. The program has attracted outrigger paddlers from Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, North Carolina and within the local dragon boat community, including members from Team USA (IDBF).

A short history: International Va’a Federation sprint competitions occur every other year, attracting hundreds of participants from countries around the globe, from the smallest of the islands and territories in Oceania, such as Niue and Wallis and Futuna, to Asia, South America, Europe, Hawaii and the U.S mainland. Na Leo O Ke Kai first participated in International Va’a Federation (IVF) sprint competition in 2012 in Canada. In the next cycle (2014), the Na Leo crew and their U.S. partners won a silver medal in V12 in Brazil. More recently, Team Phoenix competed in IVF sprints in 2022 (London) and 2024 (Hawaii) with members of the women’s and men’s crews also recruited for the elite U.S. program both cycles. To qualify, Team Phoenix crews must compete at US National Sprint Competitions held in the U.S., every other year prior to IVF competition. Team Phoenix V1 paddlers have the chance to be selected for the US elite team, based on their V1 times.

How to participate: U.S. Nationals Sprint Championships for 2025 is being held Oct. 3, 4, 5 in Vancouver, Washington. Team Phoenix crews are now set for V6 women’s open, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, and V6 men’s open. Qualifying crews and V1 paddlers will represent the U.S. in Singapore in 2026. Time trials and other assessments factor into final crew selection. 

Thank you to all our V1 and V6 paddlers representing Team Phoenix for 2025: Laura Baack, Amy and Andy Thomas, Kahale Faaumu, Margaret Coulombe (coaches), Alicia Lin Kee, Ceci Ng, Marisa Bennett, Nick Lane and Betty Flores (Na Leo O Ke Kai), Suzy Strazzulla (Kahakai), Eri and Tek Li (Kilohana), Hisano Tasedan (Castaways), Heidi and Matt Meissner (ECORA), KJ Jackson (Wasabi/Na Leo), Karen Jewell and Lisa Minerd (Hano Hano), Lori Musico, Laura Tallman and Hedy Downing (TAZ), Deb Hyde and Mary Lou Johnson (Ka Hoku Alaka’i/Na Leo), Suzie Graf (Dana), MaryLud Baldwin (Pale Kai), Nancy Rouse and Toni Bushong (Oceanside OCC). Special thanks to Na Leo head coach, Eric Tang, and the Na Leo board. Strength and good luck, all!