THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM
MEET THE
COACHES.
A huge round of applause to our coaches, who selflessly volunteer their time and talent to every paddler at Pale Kai. Coaching is an enormous undertaking that often takes away from their own paddling time — and they show up for it anyway.
While there are standards in technique that PKO adheres to, each coach brings their own style. If you have questions about your crew's training, talk to your coach or the Head Coach directly.
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, 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 2026!
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 2025 season women’s crew racing successes. As the 2026 women’s 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.
Josh Tickenoff
NOVICE COACH
Josh came to the Central Coast four years ago. After a year of "all work and no play", he resolved to get a life. Fortuitously, he met a paddler who shared her passion of paddling with PKO. One Demo Day was all it took; he was hooked.
Josh has competed in numerous races during his tenure with PKO. In addition to the "standard" Southern California 6- and 9-man races, he's participated in the Catalina Crossing, Another Dam Race (ADR), and the Gorge (on a 1-man canoe). He counts ADR and the Gorge among his favorites.
Before discovering outrigger paddling, Josh was primarily an individual sports guy - surfing, skating, snowboarding. "One thing I’ve loved about joining PKO is how it’s challenged me to step into a team and endurance sport. I love how PKO has challenged me to grow. It’s undeniable that we all “trauma bond” in competition."
In addition to paddling, Josh enjoys hiking, camping, light trail jogs ("no marathons for me!"), biking around town, and the many other activities available on the central coast. Josh is a huge fan of trying new things.
Josh considers San Luis Obispo his “Goldilocks Land.” Moving here, he says, was one of the best decisions he’s made in years: “Every day feels like a mini vacation.”
OUR COACHES SHOW UP FOR YOU
Our coaches are volunteers; they give up their own paddling time to plan workouts, develop race strategy, and push every paddler at PKO to get better. That kind of dedication doesn't go unnoticed.
They show up to every practice with one goal: help this club compete at the highest level while making sure every paddler, from their first Demo Day to their tenth race season, feels like they belong on the water. Even when life gets in the way, when they're injured and can't paddle themselves, they're still on the shore, still guiding the crew, still showing up for us.
We're grateful for every one of them.