Three years ago, upon arriving on Catalina Island for the first time and not knowing anyone, I looked for a social outlet. I found the Catalina Outrigger Canoe Club. The club itself was also new the year I arrived.
Dan Hunkle, of Avalon Community Services Department is the coordinator of the club. The club includes, practices for both competitive members and recreational members. Dan brings the team together for social events throughout the season with the team races being the clubs main focus.
Races are held on the mainland against other southern California teams. Competition offers novice racers an introduction to the sport with a short course of six miles, while the experienced paddlers race 12 to 20 miles.
As the season has progressed, “Team Catalina” has shown improvement with each competition. In the first race of the season, held in San Diego, the men’s team took home a third-place medallion. The following race, in Marina del Rey, Team Catalina had two co-ed teams winning first place in two separate divisions.
The true goal for most team members is to be chosen for the nine-man team. This season started in July and is the culmination of the team’s efforts to be a competitive force for The Channel Crossing in September. As teams come from around the world to participate in the Channel Crossing this race it is extremely focused and competitive. This final race of the season is a two-day event.
The women leave from the mainland arriving on Avalon and the following day the men paddle their race (using the same canoes) from Avalon back to the mainland.
Now in July with the emphasis being the goal of the Channel Crossing, team practices get more intense. One of which is a paddle from Avalon to Two Harbors. Late in the afternoon, the paddle back can be intimidating with very high swells reminding the team members of the possible conditions during the Channel Crossing.
Not only is strength and self-confidence necessary to be a member of the nine-man team but courage as well. During nine-man races, paddlers jump out of the canoe awaiting pick up by the chase boat while at the same time another paddler has jumped into the water from the chase boat, this swimmer will then maneuver into a swiftly moving canoe as it continues past them. This takes no fear and is only for the strongest of team members.
As our first nine-man approaches, the bruises multiply as gunnel-ups are incorporated into practice. This is the art of getting in and out of the canoe in deep water.
For myself, taking three seasons to have the courage to participate in a novice competition, it might be another two for me to be nine-man season worthy.
