May 2025 Newsletter
President’s Message
Aloha team!
We had a great all-members meeting and I wanted to share a few exciting updates with you:
✨ Our Malolo has a name!
Please welcome Kamanawai — meaning “the sacred and spiritual water that gives us strength when we paddle.” A beautiful reminder of the mana we share every time we launch together.
📅 Canoe Blessing Ceremony
Saturday, May 10 at 5:00pm at the Aquatic Center. Team members and their families are invited, along with some community VIPs. Sign up on TeamSnap to help with light set-up/tear down and bring something for the potluck!
☀ Morning practices will now begin at 8:15 AM. Set your alarms and get ready to greet the water with fresh energy!
💌 Fundraising update:
We’re shifting away from hosting a big event and leaning into outreach. If you’re passionate about helping us grow our paddling ʻohana, let us know!
🏊 Swim tests will soon be required by the Aquatic Center—stay tuned for details.
🌊 Huli drills are happening this month. Let’s get ready to flip, laugh, and learn together!
👕 New team gear is on the way—thanks to everyone who placed an order!
I’ll be out of the country until September, but I’m with you in spirit. For anything that comes up, your Reps—Diane Hill (Mornings), Erin Davis (Evenings), and our amazing VP Nicole Barden—are here to support you.
Paddle strong, stay connected, and take care of each other.
I’ll miss you all.
With aloha,
River
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members
Kelly Townsend
Dena Chubbic
Jill Barnes
Ian Chan
Liz Radsliff (welcome BACK!)
Jonathon Brunson
Alan Galbraith
Renee Schroeder Lacoste
What’s Ahead?
✅ 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 Erin shares why dynamic warm-ups are the secret sauce to safer, stronger paddling.
✅ Meet Your Teammates – Can you guess this month’s featured paddler?
✅ Culture Corner – Get the scoop on this year’s epic luau.
🗓 May Events
5/3 – The Strum Shop’s Free Ukulele Strum-Along
5/10 – Capital Outrigger Canoe Blessing
5/17 – Rig Run (Race), Santa Barbara
5/17 – Halau Na Maka Olali Luau 2025
5/19 – Board Meeting
5/22 – 30th Annual Dragon Boat Festival Celebration
5/24 – Memorial Day Hoe Waʻa Long Distance Race
5/31 – FREE Learn to Paddle Day (Volunteers: sign up on TeamSnap)
📩 Reminder: Submit agenda items for the May 19 board meeting by May 12 to capitaloutrigger@gmail.com
🎉 May Birthdays
Thanks to Dale Hoffman-Floerke & Cathy Stomsvik for tracking these!
🎈 Erin Davis – 5/4
🎈 Sharon Thompson – 5/5
🎈 Marcie Davis – 5/6
🎈 Judy Bates – 5/7
🎈 Nick Birondo – 5/10
🎈 Ian Chan – 5/12
🎈 Ron Pierce – 5/12
🎈 Nick Sanders – 5/12
🎈 Rob Patterson – 5/12
🎈 Allen Wolfenden – 5/18
🎈 Michael Taylor – 5/20
🎈 Vicky Chen – 5/26
🎈 Rob Sanger – 5/27
🎈 Jon Akana – 5/31
🏁 Race Updates
Haven’t gotten your race card yet? Sign up here: capitaloutrigger.com/race-card-sign-up
This month’s races:
5/17 – Rig Run, Santa Barbara
5/24 – Memorial Day Hoe Waʻa Long Distance Race
Questions? Reach out to your Race Rep: Norina Florendo.
😊 Volunteer Opportunities
Help welcome new paddlers and grow our outrigger ʻohana! Whether you’re helping at Learn to Paddle classes or Kid’s Camp, your time makes a big splash.
Upcoming Learn to Paddle Classes:
5/31 – Free class, 10 AM–12 PM
6/14 – Paid class, 11 AM–2 PM
7/26 – 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
8/16 – 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
9/27 – 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
10/18 – 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Kid’s Camp is coming in June—stay tuned for details!
🏋️ Coach’s Corner
Why Dynamic Warm-Ups Matter – from Coach Erin
Dynamic warm-ups use controlled, movement-based exercises to boost circulation, prep your muscles, and help prevent injury.
Static stretches? Save them for after. Dynamic movement is where it’s at before paddling!
Just 5–7 minutes of this pre-practice ritual can improve coordination and range of motion and make your paddling smoother and safer.
🚫 Dragon Bites – Ouch!
Contributed by Diane Hill
“Dragon kisses” (aka butt blisters) are no joke! Paddlechica shares great tips to prevent and treat these common paddling woes.
Read here: paddlechica.com/butt-blisters
👋 Meet Your Teammates
with Robin Kurotori
This month’s mystery paddler grew up in Hawaiʻi, finally tried paddling when they moved back there, then joined Capital Outrigger after relocating to Sacramento in 2023.
Some of their favorite experiences:
Paddling Alcatraz and Angel Island
Maui Strong 15.6-mile iron race
2023 State Men’s Novice Championship (they won by inches!)
Last year’s Monterey race (their first in an unlimited—and they huli’d!)
Fun facts:
Worked as a backcountry kayak guide in Prince William Sound
Born with one kidney
Once streaked across an NFL field at 1am 😳
Most proud accomplishment? Winning over their spouse 🥰
Mystery Teammate revealed: Webster Ross!
Want to be featured? Reach out to Robin at rkurotori@gmail.com.
🌺 Culture Corner
Contributed by Cathy Stomsvik
Luau 2025 is Going to Be Epic!
Get your lei, your raffle tickets, and your appetite—this year’s luau is bigger and better at the Rocklin Event Center.
Doors open: 4:30 PM
Bar/snacks: 4:30 PM
Dinner: 5:30 PM
Show: 7:00 PM
Tickets: Get Yours Here
Want to Contribute?
📝 Share Your Knowledge in Our Newsletter!
Got a story, cultural insight, or paddling wisdom to share? Upload your article here: Submit
👋 Be Featured in “Get to Know Your Teammates”
Fill out a few fun questions here: Get Featured
