Recruitment Program
April 17, 2026
Annual Recruitment Program
The 2026 Recruitment Program has concluded!
Reach out to join@palekai.org if you have questions.
Novice Year Participation
Novice members are encouraged to participate in our other activities too! Throughout the year club members are invited to participate in:
- Roadside Cleanup (PKO is responsible for a mile stretch of Avila Beach Drive)
- Beach Cleanup and Beautification
- Any and All PKO Events including races, start-of-season and end-of-season celebrations, fundraisers, and more
- Equipment Maintenance
- Community Outreach
- Volunteering
- Others as interest and need arises
Novice Year Overview
January - February: Recruitment
The recruitment season is the time to become acquainted with the sport and culture of outrigger canoe racing while making new friends!
March - April: Race Training 3 times a week
Race training will begin in early March. We generally practice three times a week: Saturday or Sunday mornings at 8:30am and two weeknights at 5:30pm.
Your novice coach will provide the skills training you will need for the upcoming race season.
It is important to practice with your team consistently to develop your technique and timing. You will also form new friendships (for no additional fee!).
All paddlers must be proficient swimmers. Before our competitive season begins, paddlers must pass a water safety test that includes huli drills (recovering from an overturned canoe), treading water, as well as a 100 meter swim test administered by a PKO coach.
May-June: Iron Race Season (6 person crews)
The first official races begin in May. Pale Kai is a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA). We compete with other member clubs in SCORA. Our races take place between San Diego and Santa Barbara. The first five races take place from early May through the end of June or early-July. In the novice division, races are approximately 4 to 5 miles and occur in more protected waters than the veteran divisions. Iron races consist of 6 person crews over a set distance, and novice teams may race under men’s, women’s, or co-ed divisions.
The Iron Season concludes with the championships in San Diego. This highly attended event attracts entrants from all over the state and is a fitting tribute to the outrigger culture. For added fun, novice teams are encouraged to enter the Novice Dance Competition to display their grace and creativity, or just poke fun at themselves in a family friendly environment.
6-Person Iron Race Schedule for 2026:
- Crystal Pier (San Diego): May 2
- Battle of the Breakwater (Long Beach): May 9
- Rig Run (Santa Barbara): May 16
- Kamanahoku Klassic (Marina Del Rey) : June 6
- Ventura Challenge (Ventura): June 13
- Iron Champs (San Diego) : June 27
August-September: 9-Man Season
9-person races involve crews of up to 9 paddlers. While six paddlers paddle the canoe, the remaining paddlers take a break on a chase boat and periodically relieve the paddlers. 9-person races are generally much longer than iron races, ranging from about 18 miles to over 30 miles.
Due to the increased physical demands and skills required to paddle 9-person distances and to perform open water crew changes, there is no guarantee that a first-year paddler will be invited to participate in a 9-person race crew. That said, first-year paddlers who demonstrate sufficient conditioning and proficiency may be invited to compete in the 9-person season. And, of course, all members are welcome to practice year round.
The race season finishes with the US Outrigger Championships Catalina Crossing where women's and some co-ed teams race from Newport to Catalina on Saturday and the men and remaining co-ed teams race back on Sunday.
9-Person Race Schedule for 2026:
- Whitey Harrison 9-Man (Dana Point) : August 8
- Paopao 9-Man (Oceanside): August 22
- Catalina Crossing 9-Man (Newport Beach / Avalon) : September 13 & 14
September-March: Winter Paddling
Winter practices will be subject to daylight and weather restrictions and continue at Avila Beach, until the time changes. A few canoes will then be re-located to Morro Bay for more protected paddling.
By the time your novice season is over, you will have gained some new skills, increased your fitness levels and made a number of new friends.
Next Level: The World Stage
Outrigger canoe racing takes place all over the world! The Olamau Race sees the best outrigger canoe teams compete off the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Ocean knowledge, skill, and perseverance aren’t always enough to succeed, but they can keep you above water. Watch the short below about a Californian team competing in The Olamau Race.