Arthur Schwartz has always been drawn to the water. A former competitive kayaker with two consecutive wins in the “Bay-to-Bay” race, his passion for paddling naturally led him to outrigger canoeing. While walking at Liberty Station with his wife, Arthur repeatedly noticed the Kanaka Landing sign and the outrigger boats, sparking his curiosity. A chance encounter with Jim Beck set him on his journey, and he’s been part of the club for the past three years.

For Arthur, paddling is more than just a sport—it’s a feeling of freedom, of being truly alive. He thrives on the challenge, tracking every stroke with a metric-driven mindset. There’s nothing like the wind and waves in his face to remind him of the thrill of the moment. And when the workout is over, he relishes the satisfaction of giving it his all. But beyond the physicality, Arthur treasures the camaraderie. Morning coffee meetups with his fellow AM paddlers and the banter in the boat are just as rewarding as the races themselves.

Speaking of races, one of his most unforgettable moments was competing at ADR (Another Dam Race), where his crew faced a challenge—using a mismatched ama that led to not one, but two hulis (capsizes). While the race didn’t go as planned, the memories and laughter from that day made it all worth it.

Arthur’s favorite spots in the canoe are seat 4, where he powers through with intensity, and seat 1, where he enjoys setting the boat’s pace. He has participated in several SCORA races and ADR events, constantly pushing himself to improve.

Arthur and his wife are avid global travelers off the water, often exploring the world in their Sprinter van and hiking through breathtaking landscapes. His love for adventure even has him contemplating life in New Zealand, a place he’d gladly return to. In addition to his passion for paddling and travel, he dedicates time to volunteering for a foster care organization in San Diego, giving back to the community in meaningful ways.

For Arthur, the best part of the club isn’t just the sport—it’s the people. Being surrounded by active, like-minded individuals in the “last quarter” of life brings him joy and a strong sense of community. His advice to new paddlers? Come out, have fun, learn from the experienced paddlers, and always stay encouraged.

Bill Harpur has been paddling outrigger canoes for six years after a friend introduced him to the sport. He quickly fell in love with the strenuous workout and the camaraderie of being out on the water with friends. His favorite seat in the canoe is Seat 2, where he takes pride in staying in sync with Seat 1 to help set the crew’s timing and make safe changes based on water conditions. Bill has competed in many races and enjoys the challenges and teamwork that come with them.

Outside of paddling, Bill leads an active and creative life. He enjoys rollerblading, surfing, practicing yoga, and playing the ukulele. He’s also been singing in a church choir for 25 years. A dedicated practitioner of Transcendental Meditation for over 52 years, Bill has spent decades advocating for its benefits, including its potential to reduce violence through group practice — a concept supported by over 20 peer-reviewed studies.

If allowed to paddle anywhere, Bill would choose the Mediterranean Greek Islands to experience their rich history from the water. He values the friendships and teamwork within the club and encourages new paddlers to “have fun!”

I’m a native of San Diegan; I grew up in East County. My parents were born, lived, and died here.

I studied at San Diego State as my family had before me. As San Diegans do, I learned to surf, kayak, and stand-up paddle.

I left home after college to deal 21 and craps at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, and then I was off to sea with Princess Cruises. I felt as at home on the ocean as I had on dry land. I attributed that to my roots in San Diego.

My mom taught, and my auntie and older sister taught, too. I came home to teach middle school kids. It was an honor, joy, and challenge—we all remember our lives as adolescents! My district gave me the opportunity to be a Distinguished Teacher in Residence at Cal State, San Marcos, for two years. There, I was a teacher of teachers, which was also an honor, joy, and challenge!

I’ve discovered that my roots in the ocean go deeper than San Diego. My grandmother met my grandfather at the University of Hawaii; Grandpa Ingalls was born on an atoll in the Pacific. Apparently, my great-great-grandmother was a Tahitian who ruled the island of Huahini. My great-great-grandfather was a French fur trader, sailor, and adventurer who fell in love with the sea, an island, and a woman surrounded by water.

My roots led me to Kanaka in July of 2024. Paddling taps into my heritage of ancient Tahitian paddlers crossing vast oceans. The Kanaka community embodies the things about paddling I love: camaraderie, conditioning, community, and competition.

I’m honored to be a member of Kanaka!

Aloha Kanaka.  This is my second tenure as KOCC VP, and I’m happy to be back!

2023 is my 15^th year as a Kanaka and as an outrigger paddler.  Club founder, Mikey Berrill, sponsored me in 2009, at the start of Kanaka’s first year. I immediately fell in love with the sport.  One of my life highlights came as a paddler, representing Kanaka at the Queen Liliuokalani race in 2012.   Truly a grand adventure!  I’ve paddled with KOCC in all the SCORA venues, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Avila. Plus, Another Dam Race, TEMPE, Salton Sea, and now Havasu.

Outside of Kanaka, I’ve spent the last 45 years as an organizational consultant and founder of Organization Systems International (OSI) founder.  I started work as a proud 1969 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy.  After earning my commission and B.S., I served my obligatory five years as an officer in the US Coast Guard and Navy.   I served with both the Coast Guard and the Navy in Viet Nam and with the Navy in the Mideast.  After transitioning to reserve officer status, I earned my M.S. in Industrial / Organizational Psychology from SDSU.  I began my consulting career with a multi-national conglomerate, The Wickes Companies, in their HQ HR Department.  I left Wickes in 1980 to form OSI.  I retired from the US Coast Guard Reserve as a Captain in 1993.

I’ve been married for 43 years to the wonderful Gail Walraven (recognized by KOCC as a Club Champion!), and we’ve raised three boys, Kellen, Dustin, and Case.   I’m originally from the Midwest; I was born in the U.P. of Michigan (making me a Yooper), and my family is from Green Bay (yes, I’m a Packer fan and owner).

After 38 years overlooking San Diego Bay, in early 2024, inspired by a long-standing club paddler, I joined Kanaka, finally experiencing the beauty and energy of San Diego Bay, but now from the water!

Initially a cardio-fitness exercise, paddling has transformed into a year-round adventure exploring the ocean, outrigger racing, competition, and camaraderie. Teaming up with this group of Kupunas* —seasoned outrigger paddlers aged 50 to 80, I’m learning to embrace the Aloha Spirit and traditions of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing.

I’m progressively mastering the art of synchronous paddling “Six-As-One”, and have witnessed a thousand moods of the bay, with powerful rolling swells playing tag with seabirds, sea lions, and dolphin pairs. The sight of a gray whale breaching with her calf, juxtaposed with a vast fleet of sea craft, aircraft, submarines, and colossal port-bound aircraft carriers, is truly amazing. But I also enjoy the simple pleasure of silent, sparkling sunrise paddles which have brought a new mental clarity along with an unexpected bond with my teammates. Even now, witnessing a young newcomer’s enthusiasm during a Kanaka community paddle event brings back my own excitement of paddling for the first time.

And my advice for beginners – even when they say, “…it’s not a race.” …it’s a race!

Since I started paddling, I’m back to my college weight, have a low resting heart rate, a high VO2 max, and have gained newfound personal confidence—all while becoming part of a welcoming and inspirational community.

“Stay Strong, Kupunas!”

*Hawaiian for “Revered Elders”

Jim has been part of the outrigger canoeing community for 9 years. He first got into the sport as a new strength endurance challenge, building on his experience as the primary sail grinder for a 73-foot sloop in open ocean yacht racing.

Jim’s favorite seat is Seat 4, where he can focus on tracking the crew’s timing and helping to keep the team in sync. He describes the feeling of “when six is 1” as one of the most rewarding parts of paddling. One of his standout paddling memories is a 9-man long race out of Oceanside, where the racing conditions and an incredible coach in the chase boat made it unforgettable.

Off the water, Jim stays active with F45 functional movement workouts that combine resistance, cardio, and hybrid fitness training. He thrives on the fitness, competition, and camaraderie that paddling brings. His advice for new paddlers? “Have a mindset that you will be a stronger contributor today than yesterday.”

Jim started paddling with Kanaka in January 2023 after discovering outrigger canoeing while kayaking with his daughter in Mission Bay. They saw an outrigger race happening, and Jim thought it looked like a fun, team-oriented activity. His daughter Holly found Kanaka for him, and his first experience was winter paddling with a welcoming and supportive group willing to teach him the ropes.

Jim enjoys paddling because it keeps him outdoors, surrounded by open space, beautiful scenery, and wildlife. He appreciates the routine and the meditative quality of paddling — finding it far superior to going to a gym. His favorite seats in the canoe are Seat 1, where he focuses on setting a comfortable but strong rhythm, and Seat 4, where he concentrates on timing, form, and strength while following the paddlers in front of him. Jim has already competed in two exhilarating races, both in Mission Bay.

Now retired, Jim remains involved with the Network Professional Association, where he has been active since 1993, guiding others in their careers. He and his wife, Barbara, love traveling and have explored the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia — with plans for more adventures. Jim is also a professional vocal musician and enjoys performing well-crafted choral music. A 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, he profoundly appreciates community and service. His passion for botany and landscape design remains strong, and he enjoys applying that knowledge whenever he can.

If he could paddle anywhere in the world, Jim would choose temperate waters with warm weather — perhaps the South Seas or the scenic coastlines of Greece — where he could fully enjoy the simplicity and beauty of paddling. Jim values the supportive atmosphere at Kanaka and encourages new paddlers to spend time learning the stroke, as it makes paddling more enjoyable and less tiring.

John Fisher grew up in Point Loma, where his love for the water began with sailing. While growing up, John even taught sailing to kids at the Aquatic Center. His journey into outrigger canoeing started in November 2024 when he noticed Kanaka’s canoes launching near his home. After guest paddling for a few months, he officially joined the club in early 2025.

John loves the teamwork, camaraderie, and challenge of paddling. He enjoys the physical and mental stamina required and appreciates how being on the water helps him unwind from the grave and often heavy nature of his professional work. His favorite seat is Seat 5, where he benefits from Mia’s real-time coaching as he hones his paddling skills. One of his most memorable moments so far was seeing a pod of dolphins glide past the canoe.

Outside of paddling, John is a dedicated aloe, agave, and cactus collector. He spends hours in his garden creating a beautiful, drought-friendly space. A native San Diegan, he’s been married for over 32 years and has one son, who’s getting married soon and works as a mechanical engineer in San Diego.

If he could paddle anywhere John would choose Hawaii for its rich paddling culture, warm water, and deep history. He loves the welcoming atmosphere of Kanaka and advises new paddlers to come with an open mind, be willing to learn, and see feedback as a form of caring and support.

I have been paddling at Kanaka OCC for 12+ years.   I was introduced to Kanaka OCC by a friend, and he pointed me to contacts there: Steve Phillips and John Weir. I was raised in Mission Beach, so the ocean has always been my go-to place. In my youth, I swam competitively, and that ability got me a job with the state of California as a lifeguard working on San Diego’s North County beaches. I competed in ocean festivals doing long-distance swimming, run /swim/runs, surf-ski, paddle board, and surf-dory.

After guarding, I became an elementary teacher for San Diego Unified, where I recently retired. In 2023, I purchased an OC-1 from a friend, and I paddle that three times a week and the OC-6 three times a week.

I leave with the following words written on my paddle:

Ahonui – Patience

Mana – Power

Ha’aheo – Pride

It takes patience to find the glide, power to propel the canoe to greatness, and pride to feel that you have done your very best.

Mo discovered her love for outrigger canoeing in January 2024 after a chance encounter at Liberty Station led her to a guest paddle with the Kanaka club — and she’s been hooked ever since. Her favorite seat is Seat 2, where she calls the changeover, helping to keep the crew in sync with the ocean’s rhythm. She’s already competed in two San Diego SCORA races and thrives on the adrenaline of race day.

Paddling in San Diego Bay has become a source of adventure and peace for Mo, whether spotting seals, navigating changing ocean conditions, or soaking in the beauty of a sunset over the Midway. Her most cherished paddling memory is showing her 20-year-old son a race video and hearing, “Wow, mom, you’re out there killin’ it.”

Outside of paddling, Mo works for a non-profit focused on transportation for older adults nationwide. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, seeing plays, walking at Sunset Cliffs, and exploring local communities. A proud Point Loma native, Mo, her husband, and their three children, all of whom graduated from Point Loma High School.

An experienced waterwoman, Mo is a certified diver and has conquered the La Jolla Rough Water Swim multiple times. Her dream is to paddle in Hawaii, feeling the connection to those who’ve gone before while hearing the conch shell at sunset.

Mo loves the welcoming and supportive vibe of the Kanaka club and encourages new paddlers to focus on syncing with the top hand of the person in front of them — advice that’s helped her become a stronger paddler.

Nina discovered outrigger canoeing after seeing the graceful Kanaka boats gliding down the channel—she knew immediately that she wanted to be part of it. She joined the club during the pandemic as a way to connect with people beyond Zoom calls.

Her favorite seat in the canoe is Seat 1, where she loves looking straight ahead at the ocean. It reminds her of sitting on the bowsprit of her family’s trawler as a kid, watching dolphins race alongside the boat. One of her most unforgettable paddling moments was seeing a mother whale and her calf right next to the canoe—a truly magical experience.

Nina’s favorite race was a collaborative event with two other clubs, where she had the chance to paddle with a world champion steerswoman. She encourages new paddlers to dive into racing, saying it’s an incredible way to meet paddlers worldwide.

Outside of paddling, Nina enjoys running and practicing yoga. She’s also passionate about advocating for people with Down syndrome. A fun fact about Nina? She hopes to paddle in New Zealand one day, which she considers one of the loveliest places in the world. Most of all, Nina treasures the camaraderie of the Kanaka club, where she’s surrounded by good people who are staying fit and happy together

Paul has been part of the Kanaka Outrigger Canoe Club since 2019, but his connection to the ocean goes much deeper. A lifelong surfer and ocean lover, paddling was a natural progression for him — an extension of his deep relationship with the water. He first learned about KOCC from some original members in 2008 and eventually found his way to the club, where he’s been a valued member ever since.

PK embraces the unique flow and responsibility of every seat in the canoe, understanding how each position plays a vital role in moving-as-one. One of his most cherished paddling memories is from Christmas Day 2022, when he paddled past Point Loma with a fellow member who has since passed — a reminder of the powerful bonds formed through paddling.

Outside of paddling, PK values time with family and friends and knows the importance of recovery after a great session on the water. Known for his playful sarcasm, he brings humor and heart to the club. His dream paddling destination is Tahiti, where he hopes to immerse himself in a culture deeply connected to the ocean and paddling.

For PK, Kanaka is more than just a club — it’s a source of healing, connection, and a healthy approach to aging. His advice for new paddlers? “Listen carefully, pursue as much knowledge about paddling as possible, and enjoy the awesome people!”

Robert Opliger has been paddling with the Kanaka Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club for a year, after being invited by a friend to give it a try. An ocean person at heart, Robert has spent his life immersed in water sports, including surfing for over 50 years and deep-sea fishing his entire life. Adding outrigger canoeing to his list of ocean passions has deepened his connection to the water and his Hawaiian heritage—his mother was born in Hilo, and much of his family still lives on the Big Island. Paddling connects him to these cultural roots while giving him the thrill of teamwork and the rhythm of a canoe in motion when all six paddlers are in sync.

Robert’s favorite seat in the canoe is Seat 2, where he calls the changeover and helps set the pace with the paddler in Seat 1. He also enjoys Seat 5, where he can focus on providing power and keeping the canoe moving steadily. One of his most memorable experiences was a three-hour paddle from Liberty Station to Coronado on a beautiful Saturday morning. With four canoes out on the water, the team enjoyed ice-cold watermelon at the halfway point before paddling back on an incoming tide. Surfing the wake of an aircraft carrier heading out to sea was an unforgettable highlight.

Robert competed in two races in 2024: the Crystal Pier OCC Race in Mission Bay and the MDR Kamanahoku OCC Race in Marina del Rey. He has become stronger and more fit through paddling, which complements his active lifestyle. A long-distance runner who has completed 22 marathons, Robert now balances his running (10 to 15 miles per week) with paddling. He also enjoys deep-sea fishing, including an annual 10-day trip down the coast of Baja, hiking, backpacking, weight training, yoga, and traveling with his wife.

A member of Toastmasters International for 39 years, Robert has also taught public speaking at local colleges for 25 years. He loves attending live music events, from rock concerts at Humphreys and the Belly Up Tavern to classical music, opera, and stage productions. As a San Diego Padres season ticket holder, he attends 25 to 30 games each year, along with SDSU men’s basketball games. When he’s not at the ballpark, Robert enjoys gardening, hosting friends for dinner, spending time with family, and visiting the San Diego Zoo.

Robert’s path to paddling wasn’t easy. During his first session with Kanaka, the canoe flipped near Harbor Island in February. He lost an expensive pair of glasses, struggled to climb back into the canoe, and ended up soaking wet and exhausted. After a tough paddle back to Liberty Station, he caught a miserable cold two days later. Despite being tempted to quit, conversations with his friend and another club member convinced him to give it another try. Over the next six months, he gained confidence, improved his paddling technique, lost nearly 20 pounds, and fell in love with the sport.

At 71, Robert values the camaraderie and teamwork that paddling provides. He loves the support, coaching, and friendships he’s found at Kanaka. Looking ahead, his dream is to paddle in Maui, where the warm waters and rich Hawaiian tradition make it a natural destination. He also hopes to paddle in Fiji and Tahiti one day. His advice to new paddlers? Be patient and stick with it—it’s worth it.

Steve joined Kanaka in 2015 and has been an active and dedicated club member for the past nine years. After years of paddling, he decided to take on the challenge of steering, developing a new set of skills and growing confident in guiding the crew and ensuring the boat’s safety. Now a regular in Seat 6, he has gained valuable experience and takes pride in leading the team through the water.

A passionate racer, Steve participates in as many races as possible, loving the camaraderie and the thrill of competition. Traveling to races in different cities is a highlight, especially experiencing the ALOHA spirit shared among teams from near and far.

Outside of paddling, Steve and his wife are avid adventure travelers, often seeking out long-distance hikes, cycling tours, music festivals, and visits to national parks and historic sites. A former high school PE teacher and track coach, his love for fitness and teamwork runs deep.

If he could paddle anywhere in the world, New Zealand would be at the top of the list — not only for the stunning scenery but also for the warmth and friendliness of the people.

Steve’s advice for new paddlers is simple but valuable: Stick with it. Mastering paddling technique takes time and effort, but the reward of racing in the open ocean makes it all worthwhile.

Ted discovered outrigger canoeing while paddleboarding with his wife in the bay. After seeing Kanaka’s outriggers coming into the same landing, he initiated a conversation and was invited to a guest paddle. He was hooked immediately and has now been part of the club for about eight months.

Ted, a lifelong waterman, grew up surfing, bodysurfing, diving, sailing, kayaking, and fishing. He loves the challenge of keeping the canoe moving as one, finding both personal and team growth in the process. While still learning the intricacies of each seat, he’s especially drawn to Seat 2 for the focus it requires. Ted hasn’t raced yet but looks forward to taking that next step.

When he’s not on the water, Ted and his wife love traveling in their campervan, setting off for 2-3 weeks at a time to explore new places. He’s also passionate about snowboarding, hiking, and backpacking whenever he can gather a crew. A fun fact: Ted honed his sense of humor and his ability to throw bear biscuits at the San Diego Zoo in the 1980s as a tour bus driver.

Ted’s dream paddling adventure is an extended trip around the Big Island, camping on islands and tackling challenging crossings. What he loves most about Kanaka is the camaraderie and shared joy of working together as a team. His advice for new paddlers? “Express your humility and practice it—it’s harder than you think, but the hard is the good part.”