Meet the Coaches
A large round of applause to coaches, who selflessly volunteer their time and talent to the paddlers of Pale Kai. This is an enormous undertaking that often takes away from a coach’s own paddling time. While there are standards in technique that Pale Kai adheres to, as in every sport, each coach has their own style of coaching. If you have any questions about your crew’s training, please feel free to discuss it with your coach or with the Head Coach.
Coaches face the difficult decision of determining race crews. Understand that coaches struggle to find a balance of what will provide successful racing results for Pale Kai (as a competitive club) as well as give as many paddlers as possible a chance to compete. In many cases, it takes years for paddlers to find themselves at a competitive level. We encourage paddlers to not be discouraged, but to continue the sport. Sometimes you’ll find that one extra season is a difference in making crew on race day.
Scott Bixler
Head Coach
A California native and Pale Kai Outrigger member for 20 years, Scott has previously held most all club positions including President, Men’s Coach, Women’s Coach and Treasurer. He looks forward to bringing his experiences to the challenges of guiding the men’s and women’s paddling programs and bringing every paddler to the top of their game during our racing season. Aside from competing in all northern and southern California 6 man races, Scott has also competed in multiple Hawaii races including three Molokai Hoe; six Pailolo challenges, and three Queen Liliuokalani races.
Scott Poe
Men’s Coach
Scott began competitive paddling nearly two decades ago with Pale Kai and has enjoyed being on the water with friends and teammates over the years. The competitive aspect of paddling is what initially drew him in but then over the years the constant challenges the ocean presents have kept him coming back for more.
Scott has a good understanding of where the club has been, where it is is, and is looking forward to helping advance the club in this next season. Technique and endurance will be two of the several focal points while focusing on the men's racing program. Scott looks forward to working with all level of paddlers to make their goals come to fruition in 2024!
Sarah Sandstrom
Women’s Coach
Sarah S. began her paddling journey with a passion for standup paddleboard racing in 2013 where she found success in races throughout the Pacific Northwest, organized clinics by top paddlers, and lead clinics for others. Sarah began outrigger paddling in 2014 with Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club as a way to improve her paddling technique and cross-train throughout the year. In 2019 Sarah moved to the Central Coast and joined Pale Kai.
Fast forward to today, Sarah is excited to step in and help Pale Kai build upon the recent 2023 season women’s crew racing successes. As a 2024 women’s co-coach, Sarah looks forward to applying her experience in endurance paddle training to help the team become even stronger and faster, while still supporting fun and positive experience.
Sarah Donahue
Women’s Coach
Sarah D. began her pursuit of water sports in college as a four year member of the University of New Hampshire crew team. While in college her crew won New England Championships and competed many years in the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston. She transferred those skills to outrigger paddling in 2008 while living on the island of Maui. She spent seven years paddling with top crews of Kihei Canoe Club and completed numerous sprint seasons and channel crossings all throughout Hawaii.
Sarah moved to the Central Coast and joined Pale Kai in 2014. Sarah has a deep passion for training, sports psychology and brings a competitive edge. She enjoys the escapism paddling provides after a long day at her full time gig as a middle school counselor. Sarah is excited to co-coach with Sarah S and continue to build the athleticism of our strong women paddlers that Pale Kai is fortunate to have.
Tommy Perez
Novice Coach
"I just love to paddle! 6 man outrigger canoe paddling is the ultimate team sport. It’s rare, but building a crew of dedicated, selfless individuals will leave you with friendships and memories that last forever. All you have to do is just love to paddle and it will love you back." - Tommy
Tommy's love for paddling began "in the womb" and was realized in 2012 after joining Ka Nia'a Outrigger Canoe Club in Santa Barbara. From there he gained the skill sets needed to help their team medal in numerous races. In 2022 Tommy moved to SLO county and joined Pale Kai, immediately integrating with the club by helping amplify PKO's culture of creating a competitive and fun experience.
Wherever Tommy is, he is easy to find...just lookout for the guy on the water with the biggest smile!