Spotlight: Marina del Rey Outrigger

Marina del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club (MDROCC) is a member-run 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with a long and rich history in the ancient Polynesian tradition of outrigger canoeing. Paddling, which was brought to California several decades ago, has developed into a competitive and widely popular sport worldwide, and MDROCC is proud to be a part of the tradition in California. Our club has been based in the Marina for 40 years and is one of the two original founding clubs of KOA (Kalifornia Outrigger Association), which is now Southern California Outrigger Racing Organization (SCORA).

The Marina del Rey team hails from Southern California, where it regularly encounters Great White Sharks, dolphins, baby sting rays and jelly fish. The team consists of folk who have been paddling for 10 to 20 years. Other than paddling, the team enjoys activites including CrossFit, snowboarding, triathalons, dancing–Having fun all the time. The team hosts a race calls the Kahanamoku Klassic, named after its founder and famous Olympic swimming medalist Sandy Kahanamoku. And it is involved with the Marina del Rey waterman community, Heal the Bay, and the Surf Rider Foundation.

Team G’ma Women’s Open Crew:
Lauren Dale, Shelley Taniguchi, Puanani Kalama, Kari Hiraiwa, Jessica Tillson, Amanda Byrne