SBOCC HISTORY
SHORT HISTORY OF OUR CLUB
While we can't begin to capture all of the club's history over the years, we aim to document some of the history and stories that have been shared by club members both past and present.
General overview of the club's history...in the making.
CANOE NAMES
Maka koa (616) literally translates to “brave face” – though to us, it means “go forth boldly” or “to be bold and unafraid.”
Keaonani (919) is Maka koa's sister boat and means “beautiful morning light” – both names were given after the Microburst in 2017 that damaged our entire fleet.
Makua Kane Juanie (808) is in honor of John Storrer, a prominent member of our club, coach, and father figure to us all. His contributions to our community are innumerable. "Junaie" is a legend.
Kekoa June (805) is named after Corey and Juliet Simpson's kids Keokoa (son) and June (daughter). Juanie blessed this boat and spoke about the future of our organization -- what it means to invest in youth. So this boat is also to honor keikei who are the future of the club.
Mana Wahine (108) was named in honor of our past. The name means “Strong Women” but strength in this case isn’t just of body, but of spirit. This boat honors the many legendary aunties of SBOCC and the legacy that these women have created.
Kahua Kai means ocean playground
He’e nalu means “to surf”
Waqa (pronounced wonga) is named for a Fijian paddler that used to paddle for the club
STORIES FROM THE PAST
Holly Sherwin
I have been paddling canoes since I was a teenager, but I didn’t even know what an outrigger canoe was back then! I grew up in Pennsylvania, so I paddled big old aluminum Grumman canoes. I then paddled whitewater kayaks and whitewater canoes and when I moved to Florida in the 80’s I discovered surf skis. It wasn’t until I moved to Santa Barbara in 2004, that I found those “funny looking crafts” on the beach and joined SBOCC.
My most memorable race was my first Catalina crossing. I was a novice and I was in a co-ed SBOCC crew. It was a freezing, cold day and our canoe hulied before we even got to the starting line! Back then, we raced the big old 400-pound canoes and by the time we reached Catalina, I was totally wiped out. Somehow we always manage to get ourselves cleaned up after the Catalina race and then would have a nice dinner with the team before falling into bed (or in some cases, hitting the karaoke bar)!
Photo of paddlers in Avalon after race : Holly Sherwin, Carol Roper, Elizabeth Toro, Michelle Rainville, Gina De Los Reyes, Serena Pfister.
One of my most memorable races was the Na Pali race, which takes place in Kauai and is a change race with six men and six women changing every thirty minutes. The coastline was so beautiful and the waves were so huge. I was picked up by a Hawaiian team and we stayed together in a condo in Princeville. It was such an iconic venue and what a cool way to do a change race. We even did a beach start where we all ran down the beach and launched our canoes at the same time. Mayhem and madness…I loved it!
There are many reasons I am attracted to the sport of outrigger paddling. It is in part the chance to be out on the water in all kinds of weather, and all through the year. For sunsets and sunrises, through fog, rain, and bright sunshine days. But really, it is such a gift to be able to gather with other water women (and men) to share in the exhaustion, the exhilaration, and the experience of racing an outrigger canoes. I love the camaraderie, the teamwork, and the unity we all experience when we are out there together.
My advice to new paddlers is to take advantage of the opportunity to paddle year-round and to learn to paddle on the small OC1 canoes. The OC1 is very different from the six-person canoes, but such a way to stay engaged and in shape throughout the year. I only wish I could have talked my son, Alec, into paddling on the team. He used to watch the Rig Run race, and I once took him out on my OC2, but I guess that will have to remain just a dream for now!
Photo of Alec and me
