About
Dana Outrigger Canoe Club Youth Paddling Programs include outrigger canoe racing, paddling, and canoe surfing. Instruction is provided to help paddlers master the skills required for racing outrigger canoes. All paddlers must be proficient swimmers and in good health.
• Ages: 9–18 years old
• Schedule: Keiki paddlers ages 9–14 and Junior paddlers ages 15–18 begin training in June; open teams practice during the regular season (March through August) Monday through Thursday evenings and on weekends; the novice program begins in February, and Adult Women’s and Men’s programs start training in March
The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club is a competitive outrigger canoe racing club and a non-profit organization with programs for youths, first-time paddlers, and experienced paddlers of all ages. The club has approximately 300 active members, including about 100 kids ages 9 to 19 participating in annual Keiki and Junior Programs, and maintains a fleet of thirteen canoes. The club is a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA) and hosts the Whitey Harrison Classic, a 20-mile, 9-man outrigger race every August that draws over 900 competitors in 19 divisions, ranging in age from 12 to 70, with festivities at Doheny State Beach. The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club was established in 1971, and following a race in 1971, the club was formed in 1972.
Head Coach Rich Long, who also serves as open men’s coach, has been racing outrigger canoes for over 30 years and received his initial instruction from club founder Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison. The leadership team includes Glen Norwood (Keikis Coach), Gary Springer (Juniors Coach), Jenn Humboldt (Novice Head Coach and Vice President), Wayno (Novice Coach), Brandi Baksic (Women’s Coach), Heidi Alonzo (President), Jeff Beals (Board Member), Greg Sayegh (Board Member), Robin Jacobsen (Board Member), Kathy Ruhl (Treasurer), Kekoa Spens (Equipment Manager), Kathy Lujan (Social Media), and Chelsea Mikesell (Social Media). Novice participants are instructed to pre-register by downloading, completing, and printing the Novice Waiver and bringing the printed copy to the beach on their first day paddling.
The club’s stated objective is to encourage, maintain, and perpetuate outrigger canoe racing and the rich Pacific Island culture and traditions that are rooted in this sport. Dana Outrigger works with The Best Day Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project, and The ACCESS Program (Alternative Community and Correctional Schools and Services) to arrange days that get people out on the water. A founding member, Fly Van Swae, described paddling with Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison by saying, “We would go at it, no matter what the weather was. Everybody was stoked, and we would just be catching wave after wave. And, Whitey would be in the back, steering the canoe – hootin' and hollerin' – 'Woo Hoo! Damn, does it get any better than this?!'”
Last updated July 5, 2026.
• Ages: 9–18 years old
• Schedule: Keiki paddlers ages 9–14 and Junior paddlers ages 15–18 begin training in June; open teams practice during the regular season (March through August) Monday through Thursday evenings and on weekends; the novice program begins in February, and Adult Women’s and Men’s programs start training in March
The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club is a competitive outrigger canoe racing club and a non-profit organization with programs for youths, first-time paddlers, and experienced paddlers of all ages. The club has approximately 300 active members, including about 100 kids ages 9 to 19 participating in annual Keiki and Junior Programs, and maintains a fleet of thirteen canoes. The club is a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA) and hosts the Whitey Harrison Classic, a 20-mile, 9-man outrigger race every August that draws over 900 competitors in 19 divisions, ranging in age from 12 to 70, with festivities at Doheny State Beach. The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club was established in 1971, and following a race in 1971, the club was formed in 1972.
Head Coach Rich Long, who also serves as open men’s coach, has been racing outrigger canoes for over 30 years and received his initial instruction from club founder Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison. The leadership team includes Glen Norwood (Keikis Coach), Gary Springer (Juniors Coach), Jenn Humboldt (Novice Head Coach and Vice President), Wayno (Novice Coach), Brandi Baksic (Women’s Coach), Heidi Alonzo (President), Jeff Beals (Board Member), Greg Sayegh (Board Member), Robin Jacobsen (Board Member), Kathy Ruhl (Treasurer), Kekoa Spens (Equipment Manager), Kathy Lujan (Social Media), and Chelsea Mikesell (Social Media). Novice participants are instructed to pre-register by downloading, completing, and printing the Novice Waiver and bringing the printed copy to the beach on their first day paddling.
The club’s stated objective is to encourage, maintain, and perpetuate outrigger canoe racing and the rich Pacific Island culture and traditions that are rooted in this sport. Dana Outrigger works with The Best Day Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project, and The ACCESS Program (Alternative Community and Correctional Schools and Services) to arrange days that get people out on the water. A founding member, Fly Van Swae, described paddling with Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison by saying, “We would go at it, no matter what the weather was. Everybody was stoked, and we would just be catching wave after wave. And, Whitey would be in the back, steering the canoe – hootin' and hollerin' – 'Woo Hoo! Damn, does it get any better than this?!'”
Last updated July 5, 2026.
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