June 2025 Newsletter
President’s Message
Aloha team!
I’m writing to you this month from Bangkok, Thailand—half a world away, but still thinking of our Capital Outrigger ʻohana. Whether I’m watching longboats glide along the Chao Phraya River or wandering the busy markets, I’m reminded of how paddling connects us across oceans and cultures.
Back home, I know the summer season is in full swing—with regattas, community events, and lots of time on the water. This month’s newsletter is packed with updates, celebrations, and ways to get involved, whether you’re racing, volunteering, or just cheering from the shoreline.
I hope you enjoy reading about upcoming events, meet one of our inspiring teammates, and take a moment to soak in the Culture Corner—it’s full of meaningful stories and beautiful details that ground us in why we paddle and who we paddle for.
Stay strong, stay curious, and I’ll see you back on the water soon.
With aloha,
River
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members:
Bill Wagner
Jeff Moore
Diane Reeder
Sara Swan
Ron Morehouse
What’s Ahead?
Keep reading for:
✅ Upcoming Events – Workshops, race practice start dates, Learn to Paddle days, and more!
✅ Race Updates – NCOCA waivers, race cards, and season planning.
✅ Coach’s Corner – Coach Megan & Diane Hill share Cross-Training Tips.
✅ Meet Your Teammates – Can you guess this month’s featured paddler?
✅ Culture Corner – Ever wonder why Hawaii’s flag has the Union Jack or what side your flower should go on? We’ve got answers.
🗓 June Events
6/13/25 – Concert: Kūpaoa and Mark Yamanaka (Potluck 6 pm • Concert 7 pm • Suggested donation: $35 • Contact Beth)
6/14/25 – Sprint Regatta #1, Encinal Boat Ramp, Alameda, CA
6/14/25 – Learn to Paddle Class (Sign up to volunteer on TeamSnap)
6/21/25 – Sprint Regatta #2, Foster City Lagoon
6/28/25 – Sprint Regatta #3, 693 Del Monte Ave
Reminder: Submit agenda items for the June 17th Board Meeting by June 10th to capitaloutrigger@gmail.com.
🎉 June Birthdays
Kim Buchanan — June 6
Sharon Davis — June 7
Denali Chubbic — June 9
Jim Hill — June 9
Johnny Vieira — June 11
Serra Mueller — June 12
Jeanne Harris Caldwell Van Dahlen — June 13
🏁 Race Updates
If you haven’t yet gotten your race card, sign up here:
https://www.capitaloutrigger.com/race-card-sign-up
This month’s races:
6/14/25 – Sprint Regatta #1, Encinal Boat Ramp, Alameda, CA
6/21/25 – Sprint Regatta #2, Foster City Lagoon
6/28/25 – Sprint Regatta #3, 693 Del Monte Ave
We’ve also got TWO crews competing in the Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Race 2025 in August! Questions? Reach out to your Race Rep: Norina Florendo or Coach Ahna.
😊 Volunteer Opportunities
We’re always looking for friendly faces to welcome new paddlers and grow our outrigger ʻohana! Whether you’re guiding folks at a Learn to Paddle class or supporting our summer Kid’s Camp, your time makes a big splash.
Paid Learn to Paddle Classes:
June 14 – Sat • 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
July 26 – Sat • 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
Aug 16 – Sat • 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sept 27 – Sat • 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Oct 18 – Sat • 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Kid’s Camp coming in June—stay tuned for dates!
Coach’s Corner
Why Cross-Training Matters for Paddlers
Contributed by Coach Megan & Diane Hill
Cross-training combines aerobic activities (running, biking, swimming), strength workouts, stretching, yoga, and mobility work to support your paddling goals.
What Is Cross-Training?
It’s any activity outside paddling that builds the stamina, strength, and flexibility you need on the water.
Main Benefits:
Prevents overuse injuries by challenging different muscle groups
Boosts total-body efficiency for more powerful strokes
Improves cardiovascular fitness, core strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility
Top Cross-Training Options:
Swimming: Mimics paddling movement and breath control
Running/Cycling: Builds aerobic capacity and lower-body strength
Strength Training: Focus on core, back, shoulders, glutes, and legs
Yoga/Pilates: Enhances flexibility, balance, and recovery
Don’t Forget Recovery!
Quality sleep
Proper hydration
Balanced nutrition
Active recovery days
Massage or bodywork
Your club membership includes access to the Aquatic Center gym and facilities—use them! Coach Erin is available to help you train effectively and safely.
👋 Meet Your Teammates
“Being the shy person that I am (NOT), I introduced myself to a group of paddlers known as Capital Outrigger. As an athlete and nature lover, I was curious about adding another sport to my repertoire. Two days later, I was on the water!”
In line with NOT being shy, our paddler remembers a time when they noticed a coed outrigger on the water in Santa Barbara harbor with only five paddlers. They called out, “I paddle in Sacramento!” and got picked up for a six-mile ocean paddle at sunset by complete strangers. Great things happen when you open yourself up to the possibilities!
When asked if they had a favorite race or event, they pointed to Sugar Run:
“…although I hesitate to call it a favorite. I learned about Type 2 fun. It was by far the most gnarly race to date!”
One of the most adventurous things this member has done was paragliding in New Zealand. They also have great memories of parent-sibling Camino trips hosted by Catholic Charities in 2017–2019. Their first flight ever was a spur-of-the-moment trip from NY to Hawaii at age 17:
“A coworker’s travel partner bailed last-minute and I had the opportunity to take her place. It was quite the experience.”
If you’re not convinced of their accomplished past, keep reading. They’ve had a varied career as an R.N. in adult and pediatric ICUs, psychiatric units, as a Kaiser Advice Nurse, and in Occupational Health at Intel; raised two kids; nurtured a 43-year marriage; trained with the Leukemia Society; became a marathoner at 40, then mentored others for nine years—completing 50 marathons to date; were selected to carry the Olympic Torch and the Special Olympics Torch; were asked by Barb Recchia to review Barb’s Race (an all-women’s cancer-fundraising half-Ironman) for a triathlon book; became an Ironman; ran the Boston Marathon for a mental health charity; had photos selected for PBS KVIE, Crocker Art Museum, and Jesuit High School auctions; volunteered with Fleet Feet Sacramento Trail Runners; and served as an Honor Flight Guardian—twice!
Wow! I’m exhausted just typing all of that! They’re clearly not done. This year, they’ll continue to improve strength and fitness—physical, mental, and spiritual. Sounds like a great goal!
Like many of our members, this month’s mystery teammate is happy to be part of Capital Outrigger:
“What a wonderfully supportive group of athletes, of all ages and abilities, that love to learn and share and celebrate life.”
Have you guessed our June Mystery Teammate? It is none other than Diane Hill!
Want to Contribute?
📝 Share Your Knowledge in Our Newsletter!
We’re looking for members to contribute articles about Hawaiian culture, paddling history, or anything you think would inspire and inform our ʻohana. Upload your article here or email it to capitaloutrigger@gmail.com.
👋 Help Us Build Connections!
We’re introducing a “Get to Know Your Teammates” section in our newsletter. Want to be featured? Just answer a few fun questions here and share as much (or as little) as you’d like. Let’s celebrate the amazing individuals who make up our ʻohana!
