Kai Ikaika Paddling Club offers year-round competitive and recreational level Outrigger Canoe paddling for adults. Currently, the club only offers paddling opportunities for adults, 18 years and older. We do not offer a Keiki (children’s) program at this time.
New members or those interested in joining the club are invited to participate in a trial period with the club to ensure that both the club and the sport are a good fit. If you are interested in joining the Kai Ikaika Outrigger Canoe program, please read through the following information and then contact us to arrange a time to come out for your first trial practice.
Thank you very much for your interest in our paddling club. We are more than happy to answer any additional questions you may have and invite you to come experience the joy of paddling!
Kai Ikaika Open Practices
Open club outrigger practices are typically held on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm and Sunday mornings at 9:00am, March through November. Our open practice schedule takes a winter break during the months of December, January and February. These times are subject to change and all individuals intersted in paddling must first contact us to arrange a trial paddling period.
Kai Ikaika Club Dock
Our three outrigger canoes are stored at River Place Marina located at 0315 SW Montgomery on the south waterfront in Portland, Oregon. The dock is secured and a gate key is required for entrance. Trial paddlers will need to be escorted by a club member.
Kai Ikaika New/Trial Paddler Information
Program Options
Kai Ikaika Paddling Club offers both competitive and recreational level Outrigger Canoe paddling for adults. More about our programs:
Competitive Outrigger Program
This program focuses on a 6 person crew paddling an outrigger canoe in long distance races of 9 miles up to 20 miles. Competitive level paddlers commit to a rigorous year-round training regimen, participation in small boat (OC1 or OC2) winter training and racing as well as attendance to regularly scheduled crew practices. This discipline focuses on fitness, technique, teamwork, team cohesion and race strategy. Crews can be comprised of all women, all men or a combination of 3 men and 3 women for a mixed crew.Recreational Outrigger Program
Kai Ikaika is glad to offer outrigger paddling opportunities to paddlers of all abilities with at least a beginners knowledge of outrigger or dragon boat paddling. This includes individuals who cannot commit to the rigorous training and commitment expected in the Competitive Program.Competitive Dragon Boat Program
This program focuses on a 20 person crew paddling dragon boats in a sprint race of either 250, 500 or 2000 meter distances. Competitive level paddlers commit to a rigorous training regimen as well as attendance to regular scheduled practices. This discipline focuses on fitness, technique, teamwork, team cohesion and race strategy. While Kai Ikaika began as a dragon boat club, we rarely compete in dragon boat races and focus solely on our outrigger canoe program. We often come together with other paddling Ohana in the Pacific Northwest to form composite crews to compete in local and international events. These opportunities are infrequent and are by invitation only.New/Trial Paddlers
To allow prospective paddlers an opportunity to decide if paddling with Kai Ikaika is something they want to pursue, we happily offer a trial period to all intersted individuals. The trial period includes three guest paddling sessions, once a week for three weeks, during any open club practice time.
During the practice trial period, all trial paddlers will be evaluated by the head coach and senior members on their suitability for the club, both in fitness and personality. Since paddling is a team sport requiring positive attitudes, team work, coach-ability and camaraderie, any new paddler that is considering joining our club are expected to exhibit these behaviors.
Before attending a trial practice session, intersted members must first contact the club to start the official trial process. A guest paddler waiver must be completed by the trial paddler and kept on file at the dock which covers the guest paddler through the club insurance for three paddle sessions. The sport of outrigger paddling is physically demanding both in strength and cardiovascular areas . Newcomers are expected to bring a good level of physical fitness and be capable of swimming or treading water without assistance. Anyone with known injuries or physical limitations should not participate without first consulting a doctor.
After the trial period, prospective members may be invited to join the club. All new members are required to sign a club member waiver (different than the guest paddler waiver) as well as pay prorated dues for the year. All members must also agree to abide by the Kai Ikaika Paddling Club Code of Conduct.
Membership
Kai Ikaika Paddling Club offers paddling opportunities year round and consequently requires annual membership dues from all members regardless of how often they choose to participate or utilize club equipment.
Membership dues are currently $200 per year, per paddler.
All members must pay their dues in full by April 1st. We accept cash, check and PayPal payments. The Kai Ikaika Board of Directors establishes the amount of annual dues and announce them at the annual club meeting held every February. Because we are a small club, we can not offer discounts for multiple paddlers, seniors or part-time paddlers.
Member dues cover paddler insurance, boat and trailer insurance as well as the ownership, maintenance and storage of club owned equipment and dock and moorage fess. Member dues do not cover outrigger race fees, club uniforms, paddles or other related paddling equipment, travel and lodging.