Tuesday's FRL Practice Enjoyed Lovely Conditions!
The Fitness and Race League's Tuesday paddle took place in lovely fall conditions - no wildfire smoke or tsunami waves! Chris, Leann and Joey helped lead an energizing workout and a paddle back to Mike's with a beautiful sunset as the evening's welcomed guest.
Join Us on Tuesday Evening, Oct. 10, 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 remember 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!
The Last LUC was the First LUC Olympics - Everybody Was a Winner!
The last meeting of LUC for this year was the first LUC Olympics - and they were a blast for all involved! When was the last time you paddled with your board backwards in a sprint race? Or backwards for any reason, for that matter? Played Sharks and Minnows on a paddle board? Spun in a circle via pivot turns as many times as you could in 60 seconds (this event was called "Hurl" for a reason, though nobody actually did, fortunately!)? Did the Hokey Pokey on a board without falling off? Or falling off, even? These Olympic events (and more) kept participants laughing throughout the evening, but they were also practicing/showing off some key skills in the meantime. The best way to learn! Everyone received a "medal" for their energetic participation, while the grateful LUC participants gave Coach Jo K. some lovely flowers as a token of their appreciation for all her hard work and imagination throughout the LUC series. Thanks, Jo K.! Keep an eye out for another LUC series in the future - popular demand will bring it back!
The Land-Based Strength and Mobility Workout was No Joke!
On Sunday morning, about a dozen or so Ohana Paddle Club members joined Fernando Morales, aka The Task Commander, for a strength and conditioning land workout meant to improve improve balance and mobility on water. Jo K. has worked with Fernando and invited him to torture, oops, introduce different types of exercises for Ohana members to adopt that help promote paddling strength and endurance. The impact of those squats, arms, shoulders, back and core work were being felt days later...
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!å
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.