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Try Outrigger Canoeing

New to Outrigger Canoeing or interested in trying out our club?

There are two ways to start:

  1. Take a Learn to Paddle workshop at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center. Each workshop is 3 hours long and includes two practices with the club.

  2. Schedule a guest paddle with the club. Email us to set one up.

The workshop introduces basic paddling technique, how the canoe works, and the different seats, such as stroke and steering. Minimum age 13.

Next workshop: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Ready to become a member after your workshop or guest paddle? Here is how to join.

Workshop Pricing

  • General Public $55

  • Sac State Alumni $50

  • Affiliate $45

  • Sac State Students $25

Sign Up for a workshop

Capital Outrigger is the official outrigger canoeing program of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center and a member of the Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association (NCOCA).

FAQs

  • Club dues are $50 per year. Because the club is part of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, you also need an Aquatic Center membership to paddle with us. See the full cost, step by step, on our Join the Club page.

    Bonus: The Aquatic Center membership includes the weight room and indoor rowing machines, plus single, tandem, cabo, and yak sit-on-top kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. Surf skis and touring kayaks require a basic class or a private lesson first.

  • We practice several mornings and evenings each week, and times shift with the seasons. See the current Practice Schedule & Calendar for days and times. The calendar on that page pulls directly from TeamSnap, so it always has the exact time of each practice.

  • Bring a paddle to practice. You can borrow paddles from the aquatic center if you don’t own your own. Interested in buying a paddle? Tips are provided on the website resource page.

    Know how to swim. If you don’t know how to swim at least 50 yards, you are required to wear a personal floating device (PFD). Each boat is equipped with PFDs for each passenger.

    Bring water and wear appropriate clothing. Safety is key to enjoying the water.

    Practice is typically 1 1/2 hours, and in that time, weather conditions can change.

    Layering clothing works great as you can quickly heat up or cool down depending on the conditions.

    Water shoes or other slip-resistant footwear is recommended.

    To protect from the sun rays, it is strongly advised to:

    ~wear a hat, UV protection shirt or jacket,

    ~sunglasses and

    ~use sunscreen

    Bring plenty of water or electrolyte mixture.

  • Practices: park at Nimbus Flat State Recreation Area, 1912 Hazel Avenue, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. Parking is $10 per day. If you paddle often, we recommend an Annual Poppy Pass, which significantly reduces parking costs. Poppy Passes and Golden Bear Passes can be purchased at the state park kiosk as you enter Nimbus Flat. Learn more about California State Parks passes.

    Learn to Paddle workshops: these meet at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, 1901 Hazel Avenue, Gold River, CA 95670, not at Nimbus Flat.

  • Yes!

    Our morning group meets for coffee after practice at Peet’s Coffee on Madison and Hazel. Too tired to paddle, but still want to join in? All are welcome!

    8909 Madison Ave, Unit 400
    Fair Oaks, CA 95628

    We also host periodic get-togethers throughout the year, along with all-member meetings to discuss the direction of the group.