Alcatraz Was All That!
Ten Ohana members set out on Saturday morning, Sept. 23, with the goal of circumnavigating Alcatraz. We had a slight detour as we paddled out of Aquatic Park due to numerous competitors returning from swimming around Alcatraz (aka "crazy people"), but once out on the water we enjoyed mild temperatures and even milder waves (initially, anyway). We gathered for a break near the ferry stop and a ferry arrived not soon after; several passengers decided we were as photogenic as the island and we obliged by waving to the paparazzi. We were able to take many of our own photos of the island from our unique vantage point. We encountered a bit of wind and waves -- and a dolphin (or was it a porpoise? As long as it wasn't Jaws we were good!) -- on the way back, while the overhead clouds shielded us from direct sunlight so we could paddle in relative comfort and return in good time. This paddle offers stunning views of the bay and the city - add it to your bucket list!
Tuesday's FRL Practice Was All About Wind!
Given the 15+mph winds, Coach Jo led different exercises (on the dock and on the water) to help paddlers work on how to best handle windy conditions - spoiler alert: the diagonal angle is the easiest! For a nice change of pace, Encinal Beach was the next destination, where some practiced their first-ever beach launches before paddling as far along the rock wall as they could given the conditions. All that troubling wind that made the paddling so challenging earlier was a welcome gift on the return to Mike's as everyone practically coasted back with the rising moon to guide the way.
Join Us on Tuesday Evening, Oct. 3, for the Next FRL Practice.
We leave from Mike's Dock. The practice is from 5:30pm (arrive at 5:00pm) to 7:00 pm. We hope you can make it! Please sign up on TeamSnap. Also, please note that Coach David Wells will return to lead another FRL Practice on Sunday, Oct. 22 at Crissy Field (details below). A don't miss event!
Last Thursday's LUC was out of luck!
Last week's poor air quality due to wildfires claimed another victim last week....
This Week's Last But Not Least LUC Features First-Ever LUC Olympics! There Will Be Prizes!
Want to get more confident on your board? Well, lucky for you, the LUCs are back! You may have heard about the two series of LUCs held earlier this summer. The clinics, which were very successful, were designed so new paddlers could practice their skills and become ready for Ohana Fitness and Race League.
Now, due to popular demand, Ohana Paddle Club is offering another round of LUCs for the month of September! These four classes will fully prepare you for the awesome and beautiful Fall and Winter Paddling in the Bay. Completing a Level 1 Class is the only requisite. The next and last LUC session will be on Sept. 28th. Please arrive at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm start time.
This session features the LUC Olympics - five different events designed to bring together all the skills practices in previous LUCs. FUN will be the highlight of the evening, so join in, even if you haven't been able to attend previous LUC practices.
The LUCs are free to Ohana Members – please sign up on TeamSnap so we know who is attending. For questions, call or text Johanna at 510-220-4641. Rentals are available from Mike's Paddle if you need them. Contact Mike's Paddle to reserve your gear before class.
If you are not an Ohana Paddle Club Member but are interested in attending the LUCs because you are thinking of joining the Club, or, just want to improve your paddling, just call Mike's Paddle and arrange to rent a board for the LUC Session. The cost will be $40 and will also cover the cost of attending the LUC for that session. What an EXCELLENT deal! Come on out and join in on the fun!
Are You Interested in Developing Land-Based Strength and Mobility? Join Us on Sunday, October 1st to Workout With a Visiting Private Trainer.
Have you been paddling with Jo. K. and thought, "Wow! Her balance is a lot better than last year," or "I wish I could be buff like Jo. K.?"
All Jo K's balance and strength gains on the board are not just from paddling, they are also from working out with Fernando Morales, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
Join Fernando, aka, "the Task Commander," for a one hour(ish) land-based workout designed to help improve your paddling. Use the winter season to your advantage by learning some strength and mobility moves on land...and have fun doing it!
Bring a yoga mat type like item, water, and small snack to re-fuel post workout. The Session is from 9:30 am to 10:30am (arrive at 9:15am). Check in at the desk and the Session will be in the Courtyard. Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Challenged by the Wind? Mike's Paddle Offers Great Courses on Learning to Paddle into the Wind!
Let's be honest. Wind and waves are a regular part of weather in Alameda during the summer. It tends to be less windy in the morning and picks up during the day. However, sometimes it can be windy all day. During the summer, most of our paddling outside of the Lagoon is going to include active water, wind and likely waves. So, what can we do about all of the wind and waves? We can learn to enjoy paddling in the wind, and to do it well! Because truly, to fully enjoy all of the amazing paddling we have in the Bay Area, it is necessary to become comfortable on active water.
Mike's Paddle has four level of classes for paddling in the wind. Many of you having taken our Level 1 and 2 Classes, which are prerequisites for the higher level courses. Level 3 is "Into the Wind," Level 4 is "Intro to Downwinding," Level 5 is "Intermediate Downwinding," and Level 6 is "Advanced Downwinding." Taking these classes will definitely help you build your skills.
Also, don't forget to come out and get lots of practice! Look for paddling opportunities on WhatsApp, create your own group of friends or paddle on your own. The more you go out and paddle, the more opportunity you have to practice the skills you have learned in the Level 1 and Level 2 classes, and the better prepared you will be for Levels 3 through 6.
To find out more about these classes, go to Mike's Paddle or chat with Kristine or Alex while you are hanging out at Mike's.
Other Ohana FRL Events - Weekly Tuesday Evening Practices and Monthly Sunday Morning Practices.
The Ohana FRL offers a series of fun training paddles to work on skills and fitness. To elevate all members that attend, we try to stick together as a large group, but sometimes split off into different groups for different skills, paces or to have sessions with a visiting coach. All levels are welcome, but highly recommend taking the Level Up Clinics if you are a newer paddler.
Tuesday Evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm (arrival time: 5:00pm) - Mike’s Dock. Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Sunday Mornings - See upcoming events below or Ohana Paddle Club calendar events for dates and locations. Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Here Is a Note From Our Very Own Mike Wang About the Upcoming USA SUP National Championships, Which Will Be Held in Long Beach, CA, Nov. 9th - 11th!
"Hi y’all! I’m excited to share with you that the USA SUP National Championship will be in Long Beach in Nov 9 - 11. https://usasup.org/NatChamps!
I’m one of the executive board members of this grassroots non-profit now with more than 300 paddlers across all over the nation. This is the first national championship we’re hosting and please don’t let the name scare you. It is open to everyone! The format is very similar to many other races around the country ranging from a 1 mile challenge on inflatable (free and available to all, gear included), 200M sprints, all the way to 5K and 10K races. I’m signed up for the sprint and 5K as I’m still healing from my long-time bicep injury.
Many of our local paddlers are already planning on going. All Mike’s Paddle staff will be there (Mike, Kristine, Levi and Alex), Annie Myers, David Wells, Jie Jiang, and we’re looking for more!
What’s really great about this event is that you are going to meet everyone around the country who are into the same sport. In addition, for us amateurs (fortunately or unfortunately), many national and international pros are not able to attend this year because the ICF Championship is in Thailand just a week after and they have to go train beforehand.
I’m stoked to make this happen for all of the paddlers in the country as well as Ohana Paddle Club. To support logistics for the race, I’m going to rent a big box truck, outfit it with racks and drive it down to Long Beach. The truck will have rental race boards for those who are coming from afar as well as space for you who just want to fly instead of driving.
I have made the following spreadsheet for all rental boards as well as transport boards so that you can contact us to make a reservation. Please text 415-295-2925 and let us know your information and we will send you an invoice for the transport $150 round trip." Here is the link to the spreadsheet.
Other Upcoming Events!
Sunday FRL - Sun. October 22nd
Coach David Wells
St. Francis Yacht Club, 99 Yacht Road, San Francisco 94123
9:00am-11:00am (arrival time 8:30am)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Witches on Water - Sun. October 29th
Annual Costume Aqua Parade
Mike's Dock
9:30am - 11:30am (arrival time 9:00am)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.