Ohana Domination
This weekend saw all the hard work Ohana Club members put in over many practices pay off in the 2023 Battle in the Bay in Sausalito, as several OPC members paddled their way to the podium on Saturday. Big congrats to Chris Spenser, Felipe Duque, Louie Tsai, Jen Dyment, Annie Myers, and Jen Fuller for showing folks how it’s done! Across the country, Mike Wang was doing his own thing at the 2023 ICF SUP World Cup in Sarasota, FL. After enlightening everyone with his insightful commentary on the 5K, Mike qualified for the men's 800 meter technical final on Sunday against a field much younger than himself. After hearing about Saturday’s strong West Coast showing by Ohana, Mike – mindful of how sensitive many non-Californians are to California domination (aka “haters”) – decided to take mercy on the souls of his competitors and paddled sweep for the final itself. No one needed his assistance, fortunately, and he was able to focus on completing the race.
And here is a photo of Mike with pro Fiona Wilde. Fiona won the women's 800 meter technical final race on Sunday. I’m not saying there is a connection between Fiona taking a picture with Mike and Fiona winning her race, but I’m NOT not saying his very presence inspired her to winning heights . . . Mike just has it like that! And we are all the better for his presence in our lives!
Tuesday's FRL Focused on Fancy Footwork!
No drizzles this week as Coach Kristine focused on fancy footwork! Coach Kristine first had us practice on the dock, pretending to be on our boards with an imaginary line going lengthwise down the middle. We put the toes of our front foot at an angle near the "handle" and then stepped back so the heel of the back foot was along the "line." The we kept stepping back, keeping toes and heels touching the "line" all the way to ensure even pressure on the board. This was easy! No problem transferring this to a board on the actual water! (well, some of us more than others). Coach Kristine also added the helpful tip of bracing (both slapping down or up) while stepping back in case something throws you off balance. This tip works! Ask me how I know! We then paddled into the lagoon under warm and clear skies and practiced going up and down our board in order to increase our comfort levels in moving about the board in preparation for pivot turns. Then a paddle around the island near sunset followed for another beautiful night of paddling. Thanks for the tips, Coach Kristine!
Join Us on Tuesday Evening, Oct. 24, 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!
Cool Clothes for Cool Weather Paddling (this advice is evergreen)
It's beautiful now, but cooler weather is coming. Cold temps are no reason to avoid the water, though, and Coach Jo K. has some advice on how to prepare for cold weather paddling. One word: Layers, layers, layers. One word so nice she said it thrice.
Jo finds that a farmer wet suit (no sleeves, long legs), wool long-sleeve shirt, booties, a beanie, and a splash jacket gets her through fall/winter paddling. When it's really cold, she'll add full-fingered gloves. Farmer wet suits are typically sold in 2/3 millimeter thickness, while full suits (long arms, long legs) come in varying thickness. If you are thinking of a bay crossing or surfing, then a full suit of 4/5 millimeter thickness should be sufficient for the Bay Area.
Late fall conditions are perfect for Coach Jen Fuller's trick of a long-sleeved wool shirt. Karen turned us onto 32-degree shirts from Costco, which are not wool but have some of the same properties (at a very reasonable price). Avoid cotton for your layers at all costs! Unless you like being cold and uncomfortable, in which case go for it!
What Jo really likes for winter is the NRS splash jacket. She finds the splash jacket keeps her warm (with appropriate layers underneath) and protects her from the wind after she falls in (always a given!). She keeps her splash jacket under her board bungies until she needs it. Jo also keeps her tootsies warm with booties, and suggests wearing wool socks underneath for comfort, warmth, and to make post-paddle beer taste better (ask Rob about this one). Zoey always wears footwear when she paddles as she likes having something to protect her feet if she needs to kick off the pipe when helping someone who gets too close or launching in a mucky area (talking to you, Red Rock!) Booties or footwear are a good investment for all weather.
Coach Jo's last and best tip for staying warm during the cool seasons: paddle! Create some body heat by moving your body!
And speaking of fall paddle clothing . . . don't forget the Witches on Water Paddle on October 29 (see below). Get your costumes together now!
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 Practice - 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.
Tuesday FRL Practice - October 24th
Mike's Dock
Coach TBD
5:30pm - 7:00pm (arrive 5:00pm)
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.
Tuesday FRL Practice - October 31st [LAST Tuesday FRL Practice for 2023]
Mike's Dock
Coach TBD
5:30pm - 7:00pm (arrive 5:00pm)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Saturday FRL Practice - November 18th [LAST FRL Practice for 2023]
Mike's Dock
Coach Mike
9:30am - 11:30am (arrive 9:00am)
Please sign up on TeamSnap.