 Marina del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club (MDROCC) was founded in 1967 by Sandy Kahanamoku and Steven Kekuewa. It was the merger of two previous clubs, Santa Monica Outrigger Canoe Club and Kai Nalu Outrigger Canoe Club. Both Sandy and Steven were the coaches for the club for many years. With the passing of our founders -- Steve in 1997 and Sandy in 2003, we dedicate our effors to preserving their legacy and racing in their honor.
Through the years, we have been proud to claim many "firsts". The first women's team to race the Catalina Channel Crossing in 1972. In order to be allowed to race, these bold women were required to bring both a doctor and a nurse onboard. Their heroism and dedication to the sport ensured a place for women in long distance canoe racing ever since.
 We are also proud to have Calvin Hirahara as a lifetime member of our club. Working with canoe designer Sonny Bradley from Hawaii, Calvin builds all of our canoes as well as the "Bradley" longboats for the entire West Coast. Without them, canoe racing in California as we know it would not exist. |
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The following history of the first years of MDROCC was written by Al Ching, who went on to become a co-founder of Lanakila Canoe Club in Redondo Beach, CA. He also is the maker of Mudbrook paddles . He's still at all the outrigger races and spins a good tale, some of which are up at his website. Actually this is a partial history from my viewpoint. This period is from 1964 to 1970. Originally the club was called Kai Nalu Canoe Club located at the opposite end of the beach where Marina now resides. In 1965 we moved to the present location, which was occupied by a club called the CalaHawaiians, after they fell apart. As the name implied they were made up of Californians and Hawaiians. Earlier clubs tried to build all Hawaiian crews, but it never made a difference and often ended up slower. As a result crews were made up of the club’s best athletes, regardless of race, color or creed. |
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50 Years of Paddling in CA |
by Bud Hohl
Part 1
August 1st 2009, will mark the arrival of 2 koa canoes at Los Angeles harbor 50 years ago. They were to be used by Noah Kalama to train some California boys in the art of Hawaiian canoe paddling.
One of those canoes was the “Nihui” loaned to Toots Minvielle by Hale Au Au Canoe Club. The coach of that club at that time was Sam Kahanamoku, brother of Duke and Louie, who was Toots’ right hand man in organizing the spreading of Hawaiian canoe paddling. The “Nihui” made several trips back and forth to California during our early years.
Kahanamoku brothers
The Hale Au Au Canoe Club was run under the business of Hale Au Au Surfboards at 2411 Kalakaua in Waikiki, which was a beach concession. The mission statement of the club was to “develop and popularize modern water sports…to preserve the natural beauty of Waikiki Beach…protect the safety of the swimmers and other at the beach…and to do everything to enhance the appeal of Waikiki as a first-class resort.” This was taken from a 1957 Hawaiian Canoe Racing Territorial Championship Program..
The “Nihui” is in the 16 mm movie (old home movie for you youngsters), which the SCORA Historical Committee is working on. We’re trying to give the paddlers of today the who, what, when and why of this sport’s beginning here in California. |
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