Welcome New Members!
Welcome to the new members of the Ohana Paddle Club! We are stoked to share the Ohana spirit with you on the water. All members - you can check out the status of events on our website or use the TeamSnap app on your cell phone. You can sign up for events using TeamSnap.
We publish this newsletter as a resource for Ohana Paddle Club Members, so that everyone might stay up to date on upcoming training, trips and events. Please share with us on WhatsApp any suggestions about events we might include, issues we might cover or to share that “perfect” photo of a club event that you think we might want to use in an upcoming edition. We are looking forward to an action packed season!
Tuesday Evening's Fitness and Race League (FRL) Practice Covered Many Skills!
Tuesday evening FRL practice was a busy one! First, paddlers worked on determining how far down to put their lower hand when paddling and then taping that spot on their paddle so they can remember where to put their hand. Then, they taped the neck of their paddle so they could be reminded to get their entire blade into the water. Then, they observed, and discussed, each other's stance and stroke. And then, they practiced doing long jumps on the dock and then discussed how those body movements related to what you can do on your board to get more speed. Whew! After that, they all paddled into the waves and wind, then rode the waves back in, again and again! Apparently, there were also Double Slaloms going on behind the Sea Wall, where paddlers where practicing their turns. Clearly, a great time was had by all!
Join Us Tuesday Evening, Sept. 12th, 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.
Our Level Up Clinics (LUCs) Are Back and are Free For Ohana Club Members!!!
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 new LUCs series starts on Thursday, September 7th, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Subsequent LUC sessions will be on Sept. 14th, 21st and 28th. Please arrive at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm start time.
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!
The Alameda Islander is Scheduled for Saturday, September 9th!
The Alameda Islander is this Saturday! We are working on getting the final logistics in place. If you are thinking about doing any part of the event, please sign up on TeamSnap as soon as possible so we can include you in our planning. In order to finalize the logistics, we have set a deadline for people to sign up for this event. The deadline is today, Wednesday, September 6th at 6:00 pm
We also have a new start time. We are arriving at Mike's Dock at 8:00am and leaving at 8:30am. We have selected the best time for catching the flood tide down to Bay Farm Bridge, then the slack tide around East End of the Island and then catching the ebb tide up the Estuary. The wind forecast is for 5 - 10mph winds. Let's hope Mother Nature cooperates!
We will have a Google Meet call with everyone who has signed up for the event on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00pm, to go over the final logistics for the day of the race. The Google Meet link is https://meet.google.com/wus-nvfe-xfq. We will be working out items such as, "how many paddlers are doing a Half-Islander and what support they will need at Grand Marina," etc.
There are three options for this challenge! In order to optimize our use of the tides and wind, we will be going counter-clockwise around Alameda Island. Here are the three route options:
The One-Third-Islander (5 miles) east out of Mike’s, towards the Bay Farm Bridge, under the Bay Farm Bridge into the San Leandro Bay to go around the East End of the Island, make a left into the estuary and then take out at the Tidewater Boating Center.
The Half-Islander (total 7 miles) continues down the estuary from the Tidewater Boating Center to take out at the Grand Street Marina Boat Ramp.
The Full-Islander (total 16.5 miles) continues from the Grand Street Boat Ramp, down the estuary to the West End of the Island, around the Old Naval Base to the Rock Wall, take a left at the Rock Wall and paddle along the Rock Wall back to Mike's.
Those doing the Full-Islander will take a break at Grand Street Marina to eat a snack and use the facilities. Then, back on the water for the Hard Half!
Something to note is that, unlike in previous years, we WILL NOT have on-the-water boat support for this circumnavigation. Because of this, it is critical for us to assess both our paddling skills and endurance levels prior to participating, and to set a realistic goal in terms of which route we plan to do that day. As we all know, wind conditions can drive up the difficulty of this trip. Let's hope the wind is as forecasted. We can only wait and see!
That said, the One-Third-Islander is a great opportunity for folks who have already paddled 3 to 4 miles in one trip and want to push themselves to try 5 miles! We will be going with the flood from Mike's to the Tidewater Boating Center and, since we are leaving so early, wind will hopefully be minimal. We'll ask that folks in this (Tidewater) group get a paddle buddy who shares your same goal so that you can stick together! In order to stay on track with the tides, paddlers doing the Half and Full Islander will NOT be stopping at Tidewater, so One-Third-Islander paddlers should also be prepared to run their own board shuttles. (Great trip experience!) Please sign up on TeamSnap.
A Float Plan will be available on TeamSnap soon.
Join Us For a Social Paddle to the Bay Farm Bridge and Back on Sunday, September 10th!
Want a new challenge? Join Coach Chris C. for a Social Paddle to the Bay Farm Bridge and then back to Mike's Dock! This is a 6.5 - 7 mile paddle along the Crown Beach Coast Line. It will take approximately 90 - 120 minutes to complete the route.
This is one of my personal favorite paddle routes! It is beautiful and fun and often overlooked as morning paddle destination. It is a great opportunity for folks who have paddled 3 - 4 mile trips and want to challenge themselves to go a bit further.
The wind is forecasted to be less than 10 knots of wind, hopefully less, and no rain. These conditions are important as Coach Chris will be spending time working with you on your navigation skills.
Skill Assessment - This Part is Very Important. Action Required!
Even though this paddle will be held with conditions under 10 knots of wind, new members should be comfortable paddling in L1 conditions. However, since new members may not know how to describe their skill level to the club, it is important that a skills assessment is done prior to the paddle. This information needs to be provided to Chris Churilo no later than the end of the day, September 9th, 2023. Also, please signup on TeamSnap.
Do You Want to Learn How to SUP SURF???
Here is some exciting news! Coach Shirley will be teaching the Level 4 Intro to SUP Surf this Sunday, September 10th, from 1pm to 4pm (12:30 pm arrival). "Initial learning on-land and in the protected bay will prepare you for SUP surfing in ocean conditions. We'll take you from the physics of waves, a breakdown of who we share the surf with, all the way to trying some new paddling skills!"
Coach Shirley says, "I hope to see/meet you there!" Join in and learn something totally new!
This is a class taught through Mike's paddle, so you must contact the office at (415) 295-2925 to make a reservation. It is not offered as a free event through the Ohana Paddle Club.
Are You Interested in Paddling Around Alcatraz Island on September 23rd?
Paddling around Alcatraz Island is a beautiful, exciting and fun experience! It is important to plan the trip around forecasted tides and the tide looks good for a clockwise trip around Alcatraz Island on September 23rd. It should be a lovely trip!
We will be starting from, and returning to, San Francisco Aquatic Park. Right now, we anticipate that we will be leaving Aquatic Park at 8:30 am (7:50am arrival time), but will be posting a "Save the date - details to follow" update soon. 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 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!
Alameda Islander - Sat. September 9th
One-Third, Half Islander and Full Islander
Mike's Dock
7:30am - 1:00pm (arrival time 7:00am)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Sunday Morning FRL Practice - Sun. September 17th
Coach David Wells
Mike's Dock
9:30am - 11:30am (arrival time 9:00am)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Alcatraz Island - Sat. September 23rd
Leader - Annie Myers
Leave from Aquatic Park, San Francisco
8:30am (arrival time 7:50am)
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.