BACK TO SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT: WHAT OHANA DID THIS SUMMER
So many Ohana members did so much! The Tuesday and weekend Race and Fitness League sessions offered so many opportunities to learn and practice lots of different paddling techniques for touring and racing. Ohana members were graced by coaching from experts like Chris C., Annie, LeeAnn, Mike W., Karen, Michael R, and Shirley.
Training Results - PaddleSplash Medal Haul
All that training to improve speed and stamina paid off with multiple Ohana podium finishes at PaddleSplash 2024 at Lake Natoma, July 27-28. Ohana members came and conquered in the 2-mile, 5-mile, 8- mile, and First Timers races.
Shirley and Helen
Mike Wang
Rita and Cindy
Michael Richards
Kristine and Seychelle
Barbara, Karen, Helen, Kristine
Filipe and Rob
[For the record, Dr. Babs was repping Louie's 2-mile medal, who has yet to pick it up!]
Apparently, all that Ohana domination was too much for the rest of the field and the haters came out during the Relay Races. Ohana teams started out following the rules (honest)! only to have various haters disrupt their natural pathways to victory.
Exhibit A: Hater on Paddleboard Getting in the Way
Ohana was undaunted and did what they had to do. Exhibit B: Jo K. Turning Them Tables
Jo done took that board and left the hater treading water in the background. Annie inexplicably paddled out to help him. Huh!
Not pictured was Alex's swim out to knock Mike Wang off his board for . . . reasons. If his goal was to make us all laugh uproariously, he succeeded! At least when Levi swam out, he knocked down a non-Ohana competitor!
Ohana is not just all work and fending off haters - community was built over dinner, too!
Not Done Winning
Shirley Heinnemann is a coach by day, and a winning racer by . . . another day! Not content to smoke the field at PaddleSplash, Shirley took her conquering ways across the country to the USA SUP National Championships at Hilton Head, SC, and clinched first place in the Master's Division of the Technical Race on September 8. She's gonna need a bigger trophy case!!
Touring - Hard Half Alameda Islander
Racing wasn't the only thing Ohana did this summer. Endurance was also tested on the Alameda "Hard Half" (the longer part - over 9 miles, from Mike's to Grand Street Marina) paddle on Saturday, August 10. The weather was cooperative, and the group enjoyed the journey.
More Touring - Brannan Island
Led by Camp Counselors Jo and Joey K, Ohana members headed to Brannan Island for a first-of-its kind Ohana campout. Seven Mile Slough was the locale of this tour, led by Eric (who owned the local SUP shop).
No reports of cannibalism followed the campout (low bar, to be fair), so it sounds like this is the first of many subsequent summer trips. Be sure to join next year!
BACK TO SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT: WHAT OHANA WILL DO THIS FALL
Mike's Paddle, Ohana's founding father, recently announced it will be closing as a business after 10 amazing years of serving paddlers and creating community. Be sure to make time for Mike's Going Out of Business Sale on the last weekend in September, the 28th and 29th (please note this date correction from Mike's email). After November 1, any remaining inventory will be available only online until December 31. The paddlers below beat the rush and made a run on Starboard boards recently - join them and support Mike in clearing out his inventory! Let those sale prices overwhelm whatever resistance you might have to new boards and/or accessories!!
New boards!
Once you have spent all your Christmas gift money on paddle-related toys for yourself, be sure to show Mike himself more appreciation and gratitude on Saturday, October 12, for his 10 Year Celebration Party. A social paddle starts at 10am and will be followed by snacks and drinks. Dr. Babs will sadly be out of town but will be present in spirit as Ohana gathers to honor all of Mike's efforts over the years and to demand that he keeps his promise to actually be around more often to paddle and surf once he finishes his naps! We love you, Mike, and look forward to a new future with you!
Witches on Water, Saturday, October 26
Find your witch costume and circle October 26 on the calendar for a fun paddle with fellow witches and warlocks. Details to follow. A perfect time to show off your newly-purchased board/gear from Mike's!
Ongoing Ohana Events
- Tuesday Race and Fitness League
The Ohana RFL 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. Note the earlier arrival time (5:00pm) and start time (5:30pm). for the fall. Please sign up on TeamSnap.
Calendar of Upcoming Events!
Tuesday Race and Fitness League
Arrive at 5:00pm; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Sea Trek Alameda
1120 Ballena Blvd., #200, Alameda, 94501
Please sign up on TeamSnap
Mike's Paddle Going Out of Business Sale
Saturday & Sunday, September 28-29
Mike's Paddle
Mike's Paddle 10 Year Celebration
Saturday, October 12; 10am paddle
Snacks and drinks to follow
42nd Annual Sea Trek Regatta - Sausalito
Saturday, October 19
Registration Now Open - Sea Trek website
Witches on Water
Saturday, October 26
Sea Trek Alameda
Details to follow