Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai

Outrigger Canoe Club of Long Beach, CA
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Paddle With Us

Lokahi logo

Outrigger Canoe in Long Beach and Southern California has a rich tradition. Join us in continuing the sport and keeping the traditions thriving. Whether you are an experienced outrigger canoe paddler or new to the sport, we invite you to paddle with us. Any age or ability is welcome. We have programs for fundamental paddling, competitive paddling, and keiki (children’s) paddlers. All you need is to bring your desire to learn how to canoe and your ability to swim. We welcome you. 

Adult practices are open to dues-paying members.

The Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club is known as “Lokahi” to locals, members and other clubs. While every club is unique, Lokahi is especially unique to the Orange County and Los Angeles area. Here is what our paddlers say…

“I came to the sport as an adult knowing nothing about the history, rules, fitness required, techniques or roles of the outrigger canoe world. I’ve paddled with other clubs in the region and via guest paddling on the various islands of Hawaii. Lokahi best represents the “spirit of aloha”. We work hard, laugh a lot, respect fellow paddlers of all clubs and aren’t afraid to push ourselves to always be better. I look forward to our practices and races. Plus it’s cheaper than a gym membership and I get to be at the beach and ocean 3+ days a week.” – BSD

Paddlers, whether members or not, are required to complete and sign a SCORA waiver before paddling. Minors must have a parent or guardian sign their waiver. Waivers are available on the beach or you can fill one out here.

How to Prep for Your 1st Practice w/ Us:

1. Fill out waiver above

2. Wear any sort of workout clothes can get can get 100% wet 

3. Bring small (no glass or metal) reusable water bottle or water bladder pack (we promote the protection of the beach/ocean so we want to limit single-use plastics)

4. Don’t bring purses or big backpacks unless you need them. We do have a locked shed where paddlers leave their cell phone, keys, shoes, sandals and flip-flops during practices. (paddling is done barefoot)

5. If you have one, bring your outrigger paddle. If you don’t have a personal paddle there is no need to worry. We have club paddles that you can use at no cost. (that’s a good way to learn the best size for you before purchasing a new paddle) 

See the calendar below for practice days and times, and for race information.

About Lokahi

 

Founded in 1998, Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai is a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA). Lokahi is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to organizing, encouraging, and promoting Hawaiian and Polynesian culture and traditions, and perpetuating the “aloha spirit.” We seek to increase community and cultural interaction through the sport of outrigger canoeing.

Our outrigger club’s diversity makes us proud. Those aren’t just words on a website. We live it. You are invited to come see for yourself. Our members are from many countries, all ages, singles, couples and various sports backgrounds. We have a place for novice, recreational and competitive race paddlers.  You are welcome here at Lokahi.Our outrigger club canoes and shed are located at Mother’s Beach on Naples Island in Long Beach, California. It’s from those calm waters that we launch the va’a (canoes). We have a fleet of va’a that continues to support Lokahi’s dedication to connect with each other, the ocean, the beach and other canoe clubs. 

Pomaika’i (Good Luck) 57 – Bradley

Ali’i Kai (Royalty of the Sea) 67 – Bradley Striker

Uhane O Na Mukupuni (Spirit of the Islands) 700 – Puakea

Hoku O Ke Kai (Star of the Sea) 711 – Puakea

Kaukahi (Singleness of Purpose) 777 – Lightning

Mea’a’ – Malia

Coaches

Tony Islas

Tony Islas

Founder/Head Coach

After moving to the mainland from Hawaii, Tony formed Lokahi in 1998 to scratch his itch for paddling. He’s been leading the charge ever since.

Iris Dulay

Iris Dulay

Coach

Always near the water, but rarely wet, Iris, leading by example, will push you to places you didn’t think you could go.

Technique

We believe in constantly learning and stretching ourselves. Though we have deep talent here in Long Beach in the outrigger community, we are open to videos made by other paddlers that we can use to help shape our journey and ensure that our entire canoe club is paddling with the same approach.

Tahitian Stroke 

– General Concepts – here

– Video Analysis – here

The Catch

– Basics – here

– Part 1 – here

– Part 2 – here

Misc.

– Paddle Longer – here

– How Carry OC1- here

– How to Level OC1- here

SPIRIT OF aLOHA

We embrace and do our best to embody the Spirit of Aloha. The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others. 

According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist in space, multiply and spread over to others. 

“Akahai” – Kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;  

“Lokahi” – Unity, to be expressed with harmony; 

“Oluolu” – Agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness; 

“Haahaa” – Humility, to be expressed with modesty; 

“Ahonui” – Patience, to be expressed with perferverence.

Keikis (Kids)

Outrigger canoeing is an excellent way to develop skills that carry over into many other aspects of life. We are committed to teaching teamwork, paddling technique, water safety and skills, and Hawaiian culture to the next generation of paddlers.

PRACTICES
Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and, possibly, one weeknight practice. Please verify practice schedule with the coaches.

CREWS
Crews are formed based on age, e.g., 12 and under, 16 and under, and 19 and under. There are six kids to a crew.

Calendar

Practice Schedule

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RACING SEASON – MID-JANUARY THROUGH MID-SEPTEMBER

Members are expected to show up to all practices. The reason for that is to ensure canoes can have the same crews so that unity and cohesion can get stronger and stronger as the season progresses. Show up early and join others for warmup and stretching routines so that we protect and strengthen our bodies. We sign up for practice sessions on the Lokahi TeamSnap website or app (returning members are added to the TeamSnap roster when dues are paid). The times and dates of practices may change due to race schedules and holidays.

SATURDAY – Endurance Practices

  • Arrival – 8:20 am toes in the sand, personal items stowed in the shed, begin rigging canoes
  • Launch – 8:30 am begin moving rigged canoes to the water
  • Your punctuality shows that you have respect for your fellow members and the club
  • Arrive early for warmups and stretches

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY – Strength & Technique Practices

  • Arrival – 5:45 pm toes in the sand & personal items stowed in the shed
  • Launch – 6 pm canoes in the water
  • Your punctuality shows that you have respect for your fellow members and the club
  • Arrive early for warmups and stretches 

Race Schedule

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You do not have to participate in races to be a member of Lokahi. But we encourage you to try. They are a character-building challenge that we’re sure you’ll love. Races are held on Saturday mornings in lieu of our endurance practices. You’ll hear us say that “races aren’t done until the canoes have returned back to Mother’s Beach and have been unloaded by the club.” 

  • Thursday before the race – after practice we’ll derig and load the canoes onto the trailer and other boxes/items needed for race day. Many hands make for light work. 
  • Saturday (race day) – Arrive at race site at 6am so that we can unload the canoes and rig them. We have a pot-luck approach to food and drinks. Members bring pop-tents, mini grills, ice chests and warm smiles. Racers are expected to stay until the canoes have been loaded back on to the trailer after Lokahi’s final race of the day. 
  • Sunday (day after race) – we meet at Mother’s Beach to unload the canoes, rig them and store the boxes of club items.  

SCORA RACE SCHEDULE 2023

  • Crystal Pier (Hanohano) – Pacific Beach – May 13
  • Rig Run (Ka Nai’a) – Santa Barbara – May 20
  • Kahanahoku Klassic (MDR) – Marina Del Rey – June 3
  • Ventura Outrigger Challenge (Hokuloa) – Ventura – June 10 
  • Iron Champs (Kai Elua) – Pacific Beach – June 17
  • Kahakai Outrigger Challenge (Kahakai) – TBD – Long Beach – (possibly July 15)
  • Whitey Harrison (Dana) – Dana Point – August 12
  • Paopao (Oceanside) – Oceanside – August 26
  • Catalina (SCORA) – Catalina Island / Newport Beach – September 9-10

POSSIBLE NON-SCORA RACES (Extra costs, race fees and eligibility apply)

 

Membership

Our season begins mid-February and runs through mid-December. We offer two outrigger canoe club membership options: Outrigger Membership and Keiki Membership. The Outrigger Membership is for competitive and recreational paddlers while keiki is for children nineteen years old and younger. For Outrigger Membership paddlers that want to race, they will be required to pay a small race fee to participate in the SCORA races. Those outrigger canoe races do not including 9 man race fees. Those will be paid separately. Participating in non‑SCORA events may require additional fees and costs. With the Lokahi Outrigger Paddling  Paddling Membership, you get value:

 

  • More than 90 days of coached paddling (practice & racing). That’s 90 days of being at the beach and on the ocean! (talk about bragging rights with your co-workers…)
  • Improved strength, stamina and endurance
  • Education on the sport, history, etiquette & paddling technique
  • Access to club paddles, PFDs and OC6s (6 person canoe)
  • Experiences at other Southern California Beaches for races throughout the season
  • Potlucks and other team events. Trust us. These are fun. Lots of relaxation, laughing and tall tales
  • Adding to and being a part of the tradition and culture of outrigger canoe paddling

 

outrigger MEMBERSHIP
$225

 

KEIKI MEMBERSHIP
$150

TECHNIQUE

Contact Us

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ADDRESS

Mothers Beach
Naples Island
E Appian Way at E 2nd Street
Long Beach, CA 90803

FAQs, Photos and Directions HERE