Teams of Liberty 2009

The teams of the 2009 Liberty World Outrigger Competition represent some of the most accomplished clubs from across the globe. Men and women from many diverse backgrounds will meet in New York City on Saturday, June 27, 2009 to share one common goal: to be the fastest outrigger crew to paddle around the Statue of Liberty.

(Teams listed in order of receipt of registration)

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Cayuga Outrigger Canoe Club

	Hometown: Ithaca, New York Club Established: 2008 Visit Cayuga Outrigger Website
	Team Name: Cayuga OCC Competing in: Mens Open Division

Cayuga Outrigger Canoe Club was formed in August 2008 to bring the sport of outrigger canoe paddling to the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We’ve grown quickly to approximately 20 members in less than a year and are looking forward to racing with everyone during the ECORA races this summer. If you’re ever in the Ithaca area, please join us for a paddle on the beautiful Cayuga Lake!

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Boston Outrigger Racing Association

	Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts Club Established: 2001 Visit Boston Outrigger Website
	Team Name: Boston Outrigger Competing in: Mixed Open Division

Boston Outrigger is home to men and women of diverse age and cultures, dedicated to family and the aloha spirit, whom all love being on the water. We are located at Waikiki Beach, Salem, MA on the north shore of greater Boston.

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National Capitol Area Outrigger

	Hometown: Washington, DC Club Established: 1995 Visit NCA Outrigger Website
	Team Name: NCA Competing in: Mixed Open Division

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Washington Canoe Club

	Hometown: Washington, DC Club Established: 1999 Visit Washington Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: WCC Competing in: Womens Open, Mens Open and Mixed OpenDivisions

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Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club

	Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Club Established: 2003 Visit Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: Philly Competing in: Womens Open Division

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New York Outrigger

	Hometown: New York, New York Club Established: 1996 Visit New York Outrigger Website
	Team Name: NYO Competing in: Women Sr. Masters and Open, Mens Open and Mixed Open Divisions

New York Outrigger has helped educate thousands of New Yorkers to be safe and confident paddlers while reaching millions of others through high-profile media coverage. Based in Chelsea since 1996, New York Outrigger continues its community mission of providing affordable recreational and cultural opportunities in New York’s waterways through the sport of outrigger canoeing. We offer excitement and esprit de corps while always being safety conscious.

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Namolokama O’ Hanalei Canoe Club

	Hometown: Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii Club Established: 2003
	Team Name: Namolokama Competing in: Mixed Open Division

Our club was founded with the vision to promote and teach the ancient and continuing art of outrigger canoe paddling. Named after the central mountain backdrop and waterfall of Hanalei valley, the name means “like tightly braided hair” which is the essence of what our club is about. We are pulled together by the spirit of the canoe. A canoe is blind to color and race, it teaches us to be the same, to blend together, pull together. No prejudice… everyone gets a seat, a paddle and we all pull at the same time.

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New Hope Canoe Club

	Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii Club Established: 1999 Visit New Hope Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: New Hope-Ekahi and New Hope-Elua Competing in: Mixed Open Division

New Hope Canoe Club Ministry began in 1999 with a mission, to “Reaching the world paddling HIS canoe with ALOHA that glorifies GOD!” We welcome all ages and levels of paddlers. Our sponsor is New Hope Christian Fellowship Church, www.enewhope.org. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, Senior Pastor, also enjoys the sport of paddling. The two crews entering the Liberty Challenge is also looking forward to performing at the Pa’ina (celebration gathering) Luau scheduled after the race.

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Onake Canoe Club

	Hometown: Kahnawake, Quebec Club Established: 1972 Visit Onake Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: Kahnawà:ke Kontikáwes and Onake River Runners Competing in: Womens Open and Masters Division

The Onake Paddling Club began in 1972 with the idea of providing canoeing opportunities to all Kahnawakeró:non (Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke). The Club began primarily as a flat-water canoe club and over the years has expanded to include: dragonboat, marathon, outrigger and recreational paddling. Onake paddlers have succeeded in all disciplines, winning and placing in every aspect of the sport all over Canada and the States. In 2008, 20 paddlers participated in the Queen Lili’uokalani Outrigger Race in Kona, Hawaii – following the trip, the interest in ‘outrigger’ paddling increased amongst the paddlers at Onake.

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Kai Aniani Canoe Club

	Hometown: Clearwater Beach, FL Club Established: 2006
	Team Name: Kai Aniani Competing in: Mens Open Division

Kai Aniani (meaning Clearwater in Hawaiian) was established with the goal of paddling in the Gulf of Mexico on outrigger canoes. Today we have a strong Ladies, Men and Mixed program. Our goal is to focus on a friendly and competitive spirit. We have two Mirage canoes and we plan on adding more canoes in the future. Our Club is blessed with a great location on beautiful Sand Key with easy access to protected and open water providing good year round excellent paddling conditions.

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Waikiki Yacht Club

	Hometown: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii Club Established: 1944 Visit Waikiki Yacht Club Website
	Team Name: Hawaiian Blend Competing in: Mixed Open Division

Our crew is actually a mixed crew of 4 different clubs. 3 from Waikiki Yacht Club, the others from North Shore Canoe Club, Kamehameha Canoe Club, and Healani Canoe Club. We’ve all become friends (Ohana) through paddling. Some of us did the Liberty World Outrigger Competition together in 2007 and the others did the Rio Vaa race in Brazil in 2008. We thought we’d combine (blend) ourselves again for the New York race this year–that’s how we came up with the team name–Hawaiian Blend.

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Wai Nui O Kanaka Canoe Club

	Hometown: Oakville, Ontario Club Established: Visit Wai Nui O Kanaka Website
	Team Name: Wai Nui Competing in: Mixed Open Division

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Windward Kai Canoe Club

	Hometown: Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Club Established: 1973 Visit Windward Kai Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: Windward Kai Competing in: Mixed Open Division

Windward Kai Canoe Club is affiliated with the Hui Waa Canoe Racing Association and is located in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. The club President is Pali Palikiko and the Head Coach is Derrell Demello.

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Manu’iwa Outrigger Canoe Club

	Hometown: Milford, Connecticut Club Established:
	Team Name: Manu’iwa Competing in: Womens Masters, Mens Senior Masters, Mens Masters, and Mens Open Divisions

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Niumalu Canoe Club

	Hometown: Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii Club Established: 1996 Visit Niumalu Canoe Club Website
	Team Name: NuiYork w/New York Outrigger Competing in: Mixed Open Division

Niumalu Canoe Club was founded by Peter and Teo Chow as a vehicle to perpetuate the culture of Hawaiian canoe paddling on Kauai. Paddling is a tradition in the Chow family which they eagerly share with any and all paddlers committed to learning and living the life of an outrigger canoe paddler. Niumalu is open to men, women and keiki who wish to challenge themselves mind, body and spirit.

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