Contact Information
Website: www.sbocc.org
Email: sboutriggercc@gmail.com
Facebook: Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club
Instagram: Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
How did your club get started? When?
SBOCC was founded in 1981 by Trygve Duryea, who was previously active with the Balboa Canoe Club in Orange Country before moving to Santa Barbara. Duryea was able to lease a canoe built by Lorin Harrison, founder of Dana Outrigger Canoe Club. His enthusiasm proved infectious and a small group of would-be paddling enthusiasts, most notably a group of waitresses from local-favorite spot, Joe’s Cafe, joined his cause to form a local club.
A leased canoe was not a long-term solution. In 1982, Duryea noticed a canoe sitting in the harbor parking lot, impounded by the city of Santa Barbara. The canoe had been abandoned, possibly by another 70s era club. The city had planned on destroying it, but Duryea made arrangements for SBOCC to take ownership and began repairing it.
From its humble beginnings 44 years ago, SBOCC now operates a fleet of 9 canoes and has over 100 members who paddle along our coast, hosting and participating in competitions locally and internationally. Racing achievements include First, Second, and Third place finishes in Southern California, Top 10 finishes in the Molokai to Oahu World Championships, First Place in the Co-Ed division at the US Championships from Newport Beach to Catalina Island.
What is the goal/mission of this club?
The purpose and goals of Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club (SBOCC) are to
foster national and international outrigger canoe competition and to generate public interest and support for these activities. SBOCC is dedicated to providing its members with opportunities to race, competing at all levels of competition; from local regional races to world championships in junior, open, master and senior masters divisions.
Consistent with its commitment to encourage and preserve outrigger canoe racing and to promote international Ho’okuku (competition), SBOCC actively organizes and promotes athletic and educational events and training in this traditional Hawaiian ocean sport for the benefit of the organization’s members and the local community.
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