Kai Ikaika Paddling Club is a community based tax-exempt 501(c)3 paddling club based in Portland, Oregon. We offer both competitive and recreational level Outrigger paddling opportunities for adult men and women. Kai Ikaika Paddling Club was formed with the spirit of Ohana (meaning Family). We promote the sports of Dragon Boating and Outrigger both nationally and internationally by exemplifying our core values of integrity, growth, passion, community, and balance. We embrace the diversity of our team and support each other in our commitment to develop and grow as individuals and community members.
Kai Ikaika Core Values
Integrity
Sincerity, honesty, loyalty and honoring commitments.
Growth
Reaching full potential. A willingness to accept change and to make change happen.
Passion
Enthusiastically advocating our sport by showing good sportsmanship and Ohana Spirit.
Community
Teamwork and individual participation in giving back to our community, as well as those who support us.
Balance
Supporting a healthy mix of family, friends, business, and personal beliefs. Encouraging health and wellness.
More About Kai Ikaika
Our History
Kai Ikaika (meaning strong water in Hawaiian) Paddling Club is a community based tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The club was formed in 2000 after its’ original members participated as a recreational dragon boat crew at the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races. While we began as dragon boat paddlers, we quickly discovered our love of outrigger canoe racing and by 2007 bought our first outrigger canoe. We race both nationally and internationally and have represented the United States at the 2002 & 2006 World Dragon Boat Club Crew Championships. We are proud to have received medals in every premier event we have entered since 2002, including victories in Vancouver and Victoria, BC as well as up and down the West Coast. While we are a competitive team and strive to win, our focus continues to be on ohana (family) and our passion and love of the sport.
Our Mission
Promote the paddling sports of dragon boating and Polynesian outrigger canoeing. Kai Ikaika is a non‐profit club with 501(c)3 tax exempt status that exists to enhance the quality of life for its’ members and bring awareness of the sport to the community.
Our River
The Willamette River in downtown Portland, Oregon is our home waters and we believe strongly in preserving the environment and protecting the river. We all have a stake in the health of the Willamette River and as such, our club is a member of the Willamette Riverkeeper organizations whose mission is dedicated solely to the protection and restoration of the river. In addition, some of our members are volunteers with the Riverkeeper’s Guardian Program, which seeks to engage citizens and train them to monitor the river for signs of pollution and check water quality.
Our Members
Built on the foundation of Ohana, the Hawaiian word for family, our members consist of couples, family, and individuals with the family at heart. We embrace the diversity of our club (with members from Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Guam, and the Philippines as well as through the U.S.) and support each other in our commitment to develop and grow as individuals and community members. We have over 40 club members and plan on continued and thoughtful growth going forward.
Canoe Fleet
Kai Ikaika currently owns and maintains two Bradley Lightning OC6 canoes purchased in 2008 and one Mirage OC6 canoe purchased in 2011. Our canoes are moored at the Riverplace Marina in downtown Portland. The club’s members also own and maintain their own personal OC1 and OC2 canoes. We rent dragon boats each season from Dragon Sports USA for practice sessions
Club Canoe Names and History
Ka Ulu ‘Ohe
Bradley Lightning OC6 canoe purchased in 2010.
English Translation: Ka (the), Ulu (Grow), ‘Ohe (Bamboo)This canoe was a gift from our founding sponsor, Bamboo Groove, and was bestowed upon the club with blessings for the club to grow and uphold the traditions of outrigger canoe paddling.
Kahikolu
Bradley Lightning OC6 canoe purchased in 2010.
English Translation: E’kahi (the number 1), E’kolu (the number 3)This canoe was a gift from our founding sponsor, Stewart, Sokol and Larkin. The literal translation of the name means three-in-one but can also be used in a scriptural meaning representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For Kai Ikaika, the name represents the three partners at Stewart, Sokol and Larkin (formerly Stewart, Sokol and Gray) and provides spiritual comfort that God is with the va’a.
Ka Makana
Mirage OC6 canoe purchased in 2011.
English Translation: Ka (the), Makana (Gift)This canoe was a second gift from our founding sponsor, Stewart, Sokol and Larkin. It’s name literally translates to a gift – that which is freely bestowed upon one by another; a present; that which is received gratuitously. This canoe represents the love and appreciation to our sponsor, Stewart Sokol and Larkin.
Club Programs
Kai Ikaika Paddling Club offers both competitive and recreational level Outrigger Canoe paddling for adults. Currently, we only offer programs for paddlers 18 years and older and do not have a keiki (childrens) program at this time. More about our programs:
Competitive Outrigger Program
This program focuses on a 6 person crew paddling an outrigger canoe in long distance races of 9 miles up to 20 miles. Competitive level paddlers commit to a rigorous year-round training regimen, participation in small boat (OC1 or OC2) winter training and racing as well as attendance to regularly scheduled crew practices. This discipline focuses on fitness, technique, teamwork, team cohesion and race strategy. Crews can be comprised of all women, all men or a combination of 3 men and 3 women for a mixed crew.Recreational Outrigger Program
Kai Ikaika is glad to offer outrigger paddling opportunities to paddlers of all abilities with at least a beginners knowledge of outrigger or dragon boat paddling. This includes individuals who cannot commit to the rigorous training and commitment expected in the Competitive Program.Competitive Dragon Boat Program
This program focuses on a 20 person crew paddling dragon boats in a sprint race of either 250, 500 or 2000 meter distances. Competitive level paddlers commit to a rigorous training regimen as well as attendance to regular scheduled practices. This discipline focuses on fitness, technique, teamwork, team cohesion and race strategy. While Kai Ikaika began as a dragon boat club, we rarely compete in dragon boat races and focus solely on our outrigger canoe program. We often come together with other paddling Ohana in the Pacific Northwest to form composite crews to compete in local and international events. These opportunities are infrequent and are by invitation only.