Canoe Alley
OCC Hosts Inaugural Elite College Volleyball Camp By Armen Zakarian
➳ The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) has announced a new Hawai‘i license plate honoring the legendary Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. This deeply meaningful project was made possible through the leadership of Billy Pratt—Director, Past President, and OCC Club Captain—and Executive Director Sarah Fairchild, in partnership with state legislators, muralist Kamea Hadar, fellow member Zak Noyle, Malama Pono, and the water sports community that supported this endeavor. Authorized by legislation signed by Gov- ernor Josh Green in 2024, the plate acts as a living tribute to Duke’s impact as an Olym- pic swimming champion, pioneering surfer, lifesaver, and cultural ambassador of aloha. The plate’s artwork, generously gifted by Kamea Hadar, captures Duke’s warm and infectious smile. The license plates are expected to be available in December at a cost of $40.50. Of that, $25 will directly support drowning pre- vention and swimming initiatives champi- oned by ODKF. These funds will help address a critical issue in Hawai‘i, where drowning remains the leading cause of death for chil- dren ages 1–15 and resident drowning rates rank among the nation’s highest. More than a license plate, this project is a moving tribute to Duke’s incredible legacy— honoring our Olympic athlete and father of surfing while perpetuating the aloha spirit he shared with the world. Celebrating Duke Kahanamoku: A License Plate of Legacy and Purpose By Billy Pratt
Across two days, athletes participated in high-intensity training sessions designed to mirror the rigor of a collegiate practice. Beyond the court, campers also engaged in a dy- namic recruiting Q&A session moderated by Outrigger Boy's Volleyball Director Armen Za- karian. The discussion covered everything from academic stan- dards and recruiting timelines to strategies for standing out in front of college coaches and crafting impactful outreach emails. The Outrigger Canoe Club is deeply grateful to Coach Mac- Rae and Coach Prager for shar- ing their expertise and passion with the local volleyball com- munity. With the success of this inaugural event, the Club looks forward to making the Elite Col- lege Volleyball Camp a corner- stone of its player development pathway for years to come.
➳ This past September, the Outrigger Canoe Club proudly hosted its first-ever Elite College Volleyball Camp, bringing together some of the nation’s top collegiate coaching talent and Hawai‘i’s next generation of athletes. Open to both male and female high school players, the camp provided a rare opportunity for island athletes to experience the pace, precision, and expectations of college- level volleyball. The weekend featured two distinguished guest coaches: Associate Head Coach Nick MacRae of defending NCAA Champion Long Beach State University, and Associate Head Coach Rory Prager of the Uni- versity of Southern California, a perennial top-five powerhouse. Both programs share deep ties to Hawai‘i, consistently recruit- ing and developing players from the islands who go on to thrive on the national stage.
28 AMA | novemBer/december 2025
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