Our junior race program is held on Sundays, March 29 – August 29, 2026, and is open to all children (swimming ability is required) ages 12 to 19. Some exceptions may be made for children younger than 12 with prior experience as determined by the Juniors Coordinator below.
The program encourages, teaches, and includes, Hawaiian outrigger canoeing, Hawaiian culture, ocean and land safety, teamwork, physical conditioning, health and wellness, and ocean conservation. Junior paddlers will also have the ability to learn about and participate in some of our non-profit events within our community, such as Shared Adventures Day on the Beach, beach and San Lorenzo river clean up days, and the option to race in Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association (NCOCA) outrigger events (see details of races and events below).
PFD’s (required) and paddles are included.
Fees and Joining
$85 and this includes all practices, education, and race dues for regatta (sprint) events.
Long distance races (3-5 miles) are not included and cost $25 per race per junior paddler.
A limited number of scholarships are available, contact us for details.
Race team jerseys are not included or required. Juniors may decide to purchase a race team jersey for an additional fee or borrow a jersey from adults for race day.
Practices
Practices are held Sundays, 11:30am – 2pm near N dock (275 Lake Ave) at the OSC canoes, Santa Cruz Harbor Crows Nest side (look for the line of outrigger canoes).
For the first practice on Sunday, March 29, parents and Junior paddlers meet at 11:30am together and confirm that the OSC/NCOCA waivers are signed and completed. Additional information will be gathered and shared prior to practice starting at 12pm.
Parents do not participate in practice. Some families like to stay and watch from the upper deck of the Santa Cruz harbor dock, but please note, outrigger is not known for being a spectator-friendly sport. We often go out in the ocean, and if it is foggy or a higher swell, spectators may not be able to see us except for when we enter or exit the harbor.
Races
Race events are long days, typically arriving around 6am to set up the club site, rig canoes, and get ready with Outrigger Santa Cruz women and men race paddlers. Juniors typically race first following a pre-race gathering/ceremony.
Race events are fun filled days. Juniors will learn a lot, and parents and family welcome to join in and learn as well. Paddlers are encouraged to bring food to share with entire club.
Depending on the number of juniors wanting to participate in each race, racers may paddle in a full 6-person OSC crew or in crews with paddlers from other Bay Area clubs. Our goal is to get as many juniors in a race that want to race in that event. The sooner parents or juniors know they want to participate in a race, the better. Let the Juniors Coordinator and coach know, and we will start the process of getting juniors on the ocean and in that event.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, “May Mashup” hosted by O’Kalani, in Alameda at Encinal boat ramp. 3 miles, mash up/creative coed crews to be determined day of. $25 fee (extra) for each junior paddler.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, “Monterey Hoe Wa’a” hosted by Hi’ilani in Monterey at Monterey public beach. 3-5 miles. $25 fee (extra) for each junior paddler.
Saturday, May 30, 2026, “Sprint Regatta #1” hosted by Tamalpais outrigger canoe club and He’e Nalu O Marin outrigger Canoe Club, in Alameda, at Encinal Boat Ramp. (Regattas are short sprints, juniors often get to participate/race in multiple events, kind of like a track and field event)
Saturday, July 25, 2026, “Sanctuary Challenge” hosted by PuPu O Hawaii Outrigger. In Santa Cruz, CA. 3-5 miles. $25 fee (extra) for each junior paddler.
Saturday, August 8, 2026, “Round the Rock-Alcatraz”, hosted by Nalu O Marin, at Crissy Field Beach, East Beach in San Francisco, 3-5 miles. $25 fee (extra) for each junior paddler.
Saturday, August 29, 2026, “Susea Grant Kula Anela” hosted by Tamalpais Outrigger, at Fort Baker Marina, Sausalito, Sommerville Rd. 3-5 miles. $25 fee (extra) for each junior paddler.
Equipment and Clothing
Canoes, paddles, and PFDs are supplied. PFDs are required to be worn.
Prepare to get wet. Wear swim attire, and layer with fleece, neoprene, nylon, and other synthetics. No cotton. Bring a hydration bottle or camelback and a snack (energy bar or similar).
About the Coordinator and Coaches
Rachel A, Juniors Coordinator and Coach
rachel.anticoli@gmail.com (email with questions)
I love outrigger canoeing and sharing that love and stoke with juniors of Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Have been outrigger paddling since 2015, grew up playing and enjoying team sports. I am a pediatric RN, love teaching and sharing health, wellness, culture, mindfulness, safety, and teamwork to all children. CPR Certified.
Justin K, Juniors Coach
Experience and certifications
Justin is a swimming coach for eight and under up to Senior Master levels, life guard and swimming instructor, USA-certified official with SafeSport and concussion certifications, and CPR certified. He was a 4-year college athlete, as well as an athletic trainer for Cal State Northridge, the LA Kings, and local Los Angeles Orthopedic groups.
“Personally, I am a father of three. Two sons, both off in college; one is a scholarship field athlete and the other just completed his first season as a college swimmer. My daughter is the youngest of my three kids. She is a local high school student and swimming competitively for Aptos Cabrillo and Scotts Valley High School.
I love the ocean and having the chance with the Junior outrigger canoe team to pass on that love and understanding of the ocean and the Ohana of outrigger. Outrigger offers the opportunity to have six people work together, and the more in-synch, the more the team will improve and recognize their goals.”
