From the President’s Desk
ALOHA, OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB MEMBERS, I am honored to write to you as President of the Outrigger Canoe Club, extending a warm aloha to our entire membership.
As we move forward together, I want to share some exciting updates about our Club’s safe operation and reopening after the recent storms that challenged us all. First and foremost, I am delighted to announce that our Club has resumed activities and is operating safely and firing on all cylinders. Our facilities have been thoroughly inspected and restored to ensure the
challenging races—if you have any interest at all, please get involved and participate. Paddleboard race season is also preparing to fire up soon. OCC puts on three events that are tough and fun for competitors while also providing a show for spectators. With summer upon us, I am optimistic about excellent surf and water conditions in the months ahead. We are looking forward to an outstanding Surf Jam contest and hope everyone will join in the fun, whether as competitors or enthusiastic supporters. Pray for bombing surf! In addition to our athletic events, we are thrilled to introduce the Summer Concert Series as part of our Club’s entertainment schedule. These concerts will bring music and joy to our evenings, offering opportunities for members to relax, socialize, and celebrate together. Above all, I encourage every member to take full advantage of the Club’s offerings. Enjoy yourself, connect with fellow members, and embrace all the benefits that your Outrigger Canoe Club provides. As we embark on this new season, I wish all our athletes success on and off the water. Let us continue to support each other, enjoy our shared traditions, and look forward to an unforgettable summer at the Outrigger Canoe Club. Aloha always,
well-being of every member and guest. This achievement would not have been possible without the outstanding dedication and hard work of Tyler Roukema and his team. Their tireless efforts, resilience, and commitment to the Club’s well-being were on full display during the two weeks of challenging and hazardous weather. A few employees even spent the night ensuring that the water pumps kept running. When you have the opportunity, please commend and thank our staff for everything they did during this period. As we look ahead, I am excited to announce a special event to mark the start of our competitive paddling season. On June 5, OCC will host our traditional canoe blessing ceremony at the Club. This gathering will celebrate our paddlers, honor our heritage, and set a positive tone to kick off the season. I encourage everyone interested to attend and share in this meaningful occasion. Our calendar is filled with wonderful events and activities this summer. On July 4, we will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with OCC holding the annual Macfarlane Regatta, followed that evening by a great celebration at the Club. I urge all members to come together as our collective community and enjoy the spirit of Independence Day. Personally, the Macfarlane Regatta is the one that matters the most to me, and I hope for all OCC crews to have excellent races and take home many medals and the trophy. The competitive paddling season is shaping up to be both exciting and memorable. With large turnouts last year, I hope for the same this year and urge anyone interested in paddling to show up. The sailing canoe season is gearing up for an excellent schedule of
Chris Laird president Outrigger Canoe Club
May/June 2026 | AMA 3
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting