Get On The Water
FIND YOUR
SEAT.
Outrigger racing is one of the fastest growing paddle sports in the country — and we're right in the middle of it.
Video: @cmck_creative
2026 Race season is underway. Full membership is closed — but you can still join PKO for the off-season and be first in line for 2027.
THREE FOR FREE
TRY IT
BEFORE
YOU COMMIT.
Most people who try outrigger racing wonder why they waited so long. So before you sign up, come paddle with us; three times, no cost, no commitment, no gear needed.
Three for Free runs typically in February in Morro Bay, right before our race season kicks off in May. It's the perfect way to determine if outrigger racing is your thing, and whether PKO is your crew.
Make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for updates.
Get On The Water
We'll put you in a canoe, teach you the basics, and let the sport sell itself.
SHOW UP
No experience needed. Just bring sunscreen, water, and clothes you can get wet in. We'll provide the paddles, life jackets, and canoe. You might even get to help haul a boat — welcome to the Ohana.
DECIDE
After three paddles you'll know. If you're in, register and join the Ohana!
THREE FOR FREE
HOW WE TRAIN
THREE FOR FREE
NOVICE PROGRAM
New to outrigger? The novice program is built for you. Dedicated coaching, your own training crew, and novice-division races where you compete against other first and second-year paddlers. Begins mid-January / early February.
You'll train alongside veteran paddlers but in your own dedicated crew — learning technique, race strategy, and what it means to paddle as a team before stepping up to open competition.
3+ YEARS
VETERAN RACING
Experienced paddlers compete in open veteran divisions — men's, women's, and mixed crews racing against clubs from up and down the California Coast.
Veterans train in dedicated men's and women's crews during race season, coming together for mixed practices and iron races throughout the year.
OCTOBER-MARCH • ALL LEVELS
OFF-SEASON PADDLING
When the SCORA race season ends we keep paddling. We stay in Avila Beach through October, then move to the sheltered waters of Morro Bay when the winter weather rolls in — typically November through March.
All levels paddle together in the off-season — a looser, more social vibe that keeps you fit and race-ready. It's also when Three for Free runs, typically starting mid-January, making it the perfect entry point for new paddlers before race season begins.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Show Up.
Get Hooked.
Show up curious. Leave obsessed. It happens more often than you'd think.
PRACTICES
Evenings after work and weekend mornings throughout race season. Come when you can. Show up consistently and you'll earn your seat on race day.
RACE SEASON
We race up and down the California coast from May through July — Santa Barbara to San Diego. About eight races per season, each one better than the last.
OFF-SEASON
We don't stop when the season ends. Avila Beach through October, then Morro Bay through February. Lower key, all levels together, still on the water.
WE DON'T JUST PADDLE TOGETHER.
Pale Kai isn't just a place to train. It's a crew that sticks around after practice, the group chat that never sleeps, and the people who show up when it matters. Seasonal BBQs, Pecho Rock celebration in the fall, the occasional "who wants to grab a drink after practice?" — this is what we mean when we say Ohana. We show up for each other, grow with each other, and we're not shy about enjoying each other's company.
We show up for each other on and off the water in true ohana fashion. That means we all pitch in to care for the boats after practice, hauling gear to races, making sure we're all fed on race day, and keeping our little corner of Avila Beach clean. Nobody's keeping score, but everybody pitches in. That's what makes this place ours.
We're not shy about enjoying each other's company either. It's that kind of club.
We Get It. Life Happens.
We love committed paddlers — but we also know that work, family, and school don't pause for race season. There's always a spot for you at PKO. Just know that showing up to practice is how you earn your seat in the boat on race day.
MEMBERSHIP
SIMPLE,
STRAIGHTFORWARD
FULL MEMBER
$390 - Race season & off-season (March through February)
A full season of competitive outrigger racing on the Central Coast. Your membership covers coaching and workouts from March through September, SCORA iron race entry fees, canoe and equipment use, race jerseys for first-year novices, and access to off-season paddling October through February. Less than $2 a day for a sport, a coach, and a crew.
STUDENT MEMBER
$200 - Per season · Full-time students under 25
Everything in full membership at half the price. Available to full-time students under 25 enrolled in 12 or more credits, or working a qualifying co-op, internship, or apprenticeship. Cal Poly paddlers, this one's for you.
SUMMER PADDLING MEMBER
$200 - Flat rate · Post-Iron Race season
Missed the start of race season? You can still join PKO. Once the iron season wraps up in late June, we open our summer paddling membership. This is for experienced paddlers and gives you access to the 9-man season, off-season paddling at Avila Beach and Morro Bay, club communications and benefits. It's also the perfect way to experience the club before committing to a full season next year.
COMMON QUESTIONS
you’ve got questions
we’ve got answers
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We love guest paddlers. Reach out to us at guest@palekai.org and we’ll do our best to get you on the water. Availability depends on practice schedules and boat capacity, but we always try to make it work for visiting paddlers.
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Three for Free runs in February before race season kicks off, but that doesn't mean you have to wait. Reach out to us and we'll find a spot for you at practice. Just know that during race season our boats fill up fast; active members and race crews get priority seating, but we'll do our best to get a paddle in your hands.
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Yes - once the iron season wraps up in late June we open our summer paddling membership. You get access to the 9-man season, off-season paddling, and all club benefits. It's also a great way to experience PKO before committing to a full season next year.
Please be aware, this is intended for experienced paddlers only. If you are new to outrigger, we’d love to have you join us when we open up our demo days in February. -
Absolutely! We'd love to have you. Full-time students under 25 enrolled in 12 or more credits qualify for our Student Membership at $200 per season. Same access as full membership, half the price. Come find out why paddling beats the rec center.
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Nope. We provide everything — the canoe, paddles, and PFDs. Just show up with:
Athletic clothes you can get wet in
Sunscreen
A water bottle (no metal bottles in the canoe)
A hat or sunglasses if you need them
We'll handle the rest.
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No assigned seats - seat placement is based on the boat's needs, crew balance, and your developing skills. Coaches make seating decisions based on what's best for the crew as a whole. As you develop your skills and experience, you'll naturally find your place in the boat (and that will likely change around).
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Before paddling without a PFD (life jacket) you'll need to complete a 100 meter swim in the ocean or bay, observed by PKO coaches — just enough to confirm you're safe in the water. You don't need to do it your first time out. Until you pass it you'll paddle with a PFD provided by the club. No pressure, no judgment — just a safety requirement we take seriously.
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Full membership opens before race season each year — typically late winter. Mid-Season membership opens after iron season wraps up in late June. Sign up for our newsletter and we'll let you know when registration is open so you don't miss your window.
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During race season (March–October) we practice out of Avila Beach on California's Central Coast.
In the off-season (November–February) we move to the sheltered waters of Coleman Park in Morro Bay.
Both locations are beautiful — Avila is open ocean, Morro Bay is a calm bay paddle when winter weather rolls in.
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SCORA stands for the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association — the governing body for competitive outrigger canoe racing in Southern California. PKO competes as a SCORA member club, which means we follow their rules, race in their events, and register our paddlers through their system. You'll need a SCORA ID to complete your PKO registration — you can get one free at scora.org/login.
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You don't need to be an elite athlete to try outrigger — but it helps to have a baseline of fitness.
If you can swim 100 meters, handle a moderate workout, and show up ready to learn, you'll be fine. The sport builds your fitness quickly. Most people are surprised by how hard it is and how fast they improve.
READY TO
FIND YOUR SEAT?
Race-season registration opens each year before race season (typically early March). Sign up for our newsletter to get notified when spots open — or if registration is open now, jump straight in.
Mid-season membership is for people who have paddling experience, but weren’t able to join for our race season.
ANNUAL REGISTRATION
HOW TO REGISTER
STEP 1
Create or Update Your SCORA Account
If you already have a SCORA account, please log in to that one and do not create a new one. Update your contact info, sign your SmartWaiver, make note of your SCORA ID, and Skip to Step 2.
If you are new to SCORA and do not have an account yet, go to scora.org and create a free account. Then, make note of your SCORA ID.
Once registered with SCORA, you'll be directed to sign your annual Smartwaiver online. After completing it you'll receive a PDF copy by email — download and save it, the link is only valid for three days.
STEP 2
Complete PKO Registration
Select your membership type from our store and add it to your cart. You'll enter your SCORA ID and other registration details as part of checkout.
Once you finish purchasing your registration, we’ll review and you'll receive more information about the club, practices, and be added to our regular communications.
Want to pay by cash or check instead? Please coordinate with us by emailing join@palekai.org before signing up.