Paddling Bowman Bay

This past Saturday, April 9. 2016 was a gorgeous day in the PNW. So what better way to spend it other than out on the water. My husband, Jason, and I took our OC1s out for a leisurely paddle where we launched from Bowman Bay and headed towards Rosario Beach and then out to and around Deception Island back to Bowman Bay. While we were still in the bay, our friend Tim Collett came out and shot some vid of us paddling with his new Phantom 3.

Mahalo, Si Yu’us Ma’ase and Thank you so much Tim for the vid!!!

Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers

#LuckyWeLiveHere Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers

Photo Cred: Elizabeth Mulligan Hartsoch

The Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers (BBOP) is a group dedicated to perpetuating the sport and culture of outrigger canoe paddling. A group of enthusiastic paddlers met in November 2010 to determine interest in organizing an outrigger club in the Bellingham area. From the group six people volunteered to become the first board of directors and organize the club. Thanks to a large contribution/ long-term loan from Pos-X, our first canoe, built in Canada, arrived in April 2011. Presently BBOP has grown to three canoes that are staged for the majority of the year at the Community Boating Center in Fairhaven.

Our mission is to promote and perpetuate the sport and culture of outrigger canoe paddling in our community and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Photo Cred: Elizabeth Mulligan Hartsoch

One Rhythm…. One Style…. IMUA B.B.O.P!!!

Monday evening Men’s practice

Last night was a rest day for me.. so instead of paddling, I broke out my camera and got some shots of the Men’s practice out on the bay! I have to admit, I am so IN LOVE with this photo!

B.B.R.W.R

Its looking like its starting to be a club tradition to enter a crew to participate in the Bellingham Rough Water Race.

The BBRWR is an event held by the Sound Rowers at the Community Boating Center by Bellingham Bay.  There is a 5.1 mile short course and a 10.2 mile long course.  This year the original race date was scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2016 but due to gale force winds and the concern of safety the race was postponed til the following Saturday, March 19, 2016.

Since the event was being hosted during one of our practice days and at the location where our OC6 club stores our canoes and launches from for every practice, ofcourse we had to participate in the event (even though we were the only OC6 entered). I do have to say though that this is a great practice race for all our new paddlers.

Here are some shots taken from the event by Sound Rowers photographer Michael Lampi.

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B.B.O.P Sunday 3/13/16 New Paddler Practice

Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers first practice for the 2016 season was kicked off with a New Paddler practice on Sunday, March 13, 2016.  It was a great turnout with 15 new paddlers that showed up to try their hand at paddling in a 6 man Outrigger Canoe.  All 3 of the clubs canoes (Kaianu, Lanakila and Hoku) were all out on the water for the first time this year.

Weather conditions were a bit rough with winds blowing in from the north bringing in lots of whitecaps and chop in the water but everyone, including all the new paddlers had a great time!

Below is a quick vid of the morning’s practice.

Is Winter Over Yet?!?!

Are you just like me.. are you ready for Winter to be over and done with already?!?!  I know I sure am!  This island girl needs her warm weather, warm water and sunshine back!

January is coming to an end.. before we know it will be Spring time! Cheeeehu!!!  Let the countdown commence.. there are 6 Sundays til Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers Spring/ Summer practices begin!

For more info about Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers visit our FB page www.facebook.com/BBOPinBellingham or click on www.bboutrigger.org

Goodbye OC6 season.. Hello OC1 Winter Series

The OC6 paddling season is over. Time for Winter Training in my OC1. Coming from a place where the average year round water temp is 84 degrees, this island girl is already looking forward to the 2016 OC6, DB, & SUP race season!!!

2015 PNW Outrigger Water Change Race

This year, our Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers crew, at the last minute, was able to put together a Water Change Out crew for the 2015 PNW Outrigger Water Change Race that was hosted by Sail Sand Point and Kikaha O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club.

The 26 mile course started from Sail Sand point where all crews would head towards and around Mercer Island then head back to Sail Sand point.  For my B.B.O.P crew, it was a first water change race for almost half of my teammates.  They were nervous before the race started but by the end of the race, they were all making plans to compete again next year and also want to do some other change races!  So proud of my crew and very excited to do this race again with them next year!

~ IMUA BBOP!!!!

Kialoa Mekana Double Bend

Tuesday morning, I received my new Mekana Double Bend paddle from Kialoa.  I was excited to use it but had to wait that afternoon for my hubby to get home from work to get it in the water. When I first placed the order I was somewhat hesitant, I love the fact that Kialoa designed the Mekana for the female paddler, but I was unsure of how I felt about and would do with a smaller blade, slimmer shaft and handle and new blade angle. Majority of my other blades are relatively larger and usually my go to paddle is my Hoku, that I absolutely LOVE, but I figure I’d give the Mekana a try to see how it would feel.

Once Jason got home from work and loaded up our OC1s, we headed across the Deception Pass Bridge to one of our favorite spots to launch from, Bowman Bay on Fidalgo Island. The bay was getting west winds and the tide had reached max flood creating some good swells when we first launched out.

As soon as I planted my new blade in the water and completed my first stroke, I immediately could feel a difference and knew that I have found my new fave! Everything felt so much smoother, I was loving my new Mekana. With the thinner blade and new angle, the catch was so clean and so smooth it felt like silk, and as I followed through with my stroke I did not feel like I was working or pulling as hard. The slimmer shaft & handle fit comfortably in my hand, that at times throughout my session out on the water, I honestly thought that Kialoa made this paddle just for and specifically for me, as if they took a mold of my hands and shaped it to fit.

When Jason and I got back on land, he asked me what did I think of my new blade and unlike when I first placed my order, without hesitation I replied “I LOVE IT”. This is definitely a paddle I would recommend for all my fellow paddlers and want to tip my hat off to Kialoa for doing such an amazing job in designing the Mekana Double Bend!

Much Mahalo, a huge Dankulu na Si Yu’us Ma’ase, and Thank you!!!

051715 Sunday Funday

Had a blast spending Sunday afternoon paddling from Bowman Bay to Deception Pass and back with friends.