Ventura Outrigger Challenge

Ventura Outrigger Challenge
Presented by Hokuloa Outrigger

Aloha and Welcome!

Hōkūloa Outrigger Canoe Club proudly welcomes you to the Ventura Outrigger Challenge — A Day of Cultural Connection. Teams from across the region will test their strength, endurance, and unity in the demanding 6-man iron race on the open ocean, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Channel Islands.

Rooted in the traditions of Hawaiʻi, outrigger canoeing is more than competition — it is a living practice that honors the ocean, strengthens community, and perpetuates ancestral knowledge passed from generation to generation. In this spirit, this year’s event will feature cultural experiences that celebrate the waʻa (canoe), the kai (sea), and the enduring legacy of the paddling community.

We invite you to make this more than a race—make it a weekend in Ventura!

Arrive early, settle in, and wake up race-ready with the coast at your doorstep. As the sun sets, gather shoreside and enjoy the music of the Kalama Brothers, whose melodies and stories carry forward the spirit of aloha—bringing us together in reflection, gratitude, and celebration. Extend your stay into Sunday and explore all Ventura has to offer, from the harbor and coastline to unforgettable excursions to the Channel Islands.

With exclusive discounted hotel options available, we encourage you to slow down, stay awhile, and fully experience the rhythm, culture, and beauty of this special weekend.

Join us as we honor the origins of our sport, deepen our connection to its cultural roots, and share in a day that uplifts both competition and community.

We are deeply honored to celebrate 37 years of paddling in Ventura, and extend our heartfelt mahalo to our partner agencies, sponsors, local vendors, volunteers, and the greater Ventura community whose continued support makes this event possible

 

 

Divisions

  • Keiki
    • Girls - 10 & Under
    • Boys - 10 & Under
    • Girls - 12 & Under
    • Boys - 12 & Under
    • Girls - 14 & Under
    • Boys - 14 & Under
    • Girls - 16 & Under
    • Boys - 16 & Under
  • Novice/Short
    • Girls - 19 & Under
    • Boys - 19 & Under
    • Adaptive - Short Course
    • Novice A - Women Spec
    • Novice B - Women Spec
    • Novice A - Women UL
    • Novice B - Women UL
    • Novice A - Men Spec
    • Novice B - Men Spec
    • Novice A - Men UL
    • Novice B - Men UL
    • Novice A - Co-Ed
    • Novice B - Co-Ed
    • Novice A - Co-Ed UL
    • Novice B - Co-Ed UL
    • Women - Short Course - UL
    • Women - Short Course Elite
    • Women - Short Course - 55+
    • Men - Short Course - UL
    • Men - Short Course Elite
    • Men - Short Course - 55+
    • Co-Ed - Short Course - UL
    • Co-Ed - Juniors (Short)
  • Women/Coed
    • Women - 19 & Under
    • Women - Spec
    • Women - Masters UL
    • Women - Senior Masters UL
    • Women - Golden Masters UL
    • Women - Unlimited
    • Co-Ed - Open UL
    • Co-Ed - Masters UL
    • Co-Ed - Sr Masters UL
    • Co-Ed - Golden Masters UL
    • Co-Ed - Juniors (Long)
  • Men
    • Men - 19 & Under
    • Men - Spec
    • Men - Masters UL
    • Men - Senior Masters UL
    • Men - Golden Masters UL
    • Men - Unlimited

Schedule of Events

All times are approximate

7:00 AM Registration, coffee and breakfast vendors open

Merchandise, vendors, silent auction, and raffle tents open
7:20 AM Race blessing and Keiki Race orientation
7:45 AM Keiki Race starts
8:00 AM Novice, Junior, and Short Course steersperson meeting
8:30 AM Novice, Junior, and Short Course Race starts
9:00 AM Open Steersperson meeting
10:00 AM Women and COED Long Course Race
11:00 AM Lunch Opens
11:30 AM Beer Garden Opens – Sponsored by Poseidon Brewing Company
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Lei Making Demonstration by the Hālau Hula O Pualanina` auali`ioha and come to make your own!
12:00 PM Men’s Long Course Race starts
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Hula Dance Demonstration led by Hālau Hula O Pualanina` auali`ioha
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Ukulele music on the beach by Anacapa Ukulele
2:30 PM Awards Ceremony: Awards will be provided to first, second, and third place
3:30 PM Last Raffle prizes and Silent Auction winners announced.
4:30 PM Beer Garden Closes
5:00 PM –

7:00 PM

 Presenting the music of the Kalama Brothers, joined by Hālau Hula O Pualanina`auali`ioha at the Ventura Harbor Village Green, presented in collaboration with the Ventura Port District

Directions

Take Highway 101 to Ventura

Exit Seaward Avenue.

Take Harbor Boulevard toward Ventura Harbor.

Right at Spinnaker Drive.

Race site will be in the last lot at the end of Spinnaker

Parking

Race event parking is prohibited in Harbor retail parking spots. Our ability to retain the race site depends on being good neighbors.

There is no overnight parking in any Harbor lots.

Please note: parking for this year’s event has changed:

Paid Parking:

Free Parking:

  • Street parking is available along Spinnaker Drive (where marked).
  • Lot 2 is the Safe Harbor Ventura Isle’s Lot located at 1363 Spinnaker Drive.
      • It takes 10 minutes to walk from Lot 2 via the inner harbor walkway to the race site.

We recommend that paddlers with large equipment, like pop-ups, drop off their belongings and fellow paddlers at the race site prior to parking.

There is no shuttle, but paddlers are encouraged to car pool.

To view this map in Google: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ocf3r48QoIb8NpQGD8i3-ze8SagUmiIN&usp=sharing

Visiting Crews

Waivers

All paddlers, visitors, guest of clubs or support staff must complete a 2026 SCORA Liability Waiver. No exceptions. Sign waiver here

How to Register/Guest Club Login

Registration Steps/Login

If anyone from your club has participated in a SCORA race in the past, please use your club’s account login and do not create another one and login here.

If new to racing with SCORA register here

Once in your account:

  1. Enter a coach if not already in there. Must enter them as “New”
  2. IF using your own canoes – check borrowed
  3. When it says “select the canoe you will be borrowing”, scroll down to “canoe not listed”, check the box of type, then type the canoe number. No need for color or name.
  4. If borrowing from SCORA – same as #3 but put “unknown” in the canoe number space
  5. Paddler input screen comes up – enter all of your paddlers under “Guest”.
  6. Select  a coach
  7. Hit next and you will be sent to the payment screen. Pay in person or online.

All Pau

Any issues please email caren@scora.org

Trailer Unloading

Follow above directions to Harbor Boulevard.
Continue on Harbor Blvd (about 2.5 miles) to Spinnaker Drive.
Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive until it ends at the dirt lot.

Trailer parking questions contact:
Tatiana Szerwinski 310-422-4512
Yvonne Menard 805-798-2324

Friday, June 12         3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 13        5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Safety Boats

From Harbor Boulevard, turn right onto Schooner Drive.

Schooner Drive will dead-end after one block, turn right on Anchors Way.

Boat launch is immediately on the left off Anchors Way on the northeast side of the harbor

Food

  • Coffee provided by Kate and Jos Coffee will be available throughout the day!
  • Food provided by Lola Betty’s Kitchen, providing authentic, homemade Filipino food!
  • Hawaiian shaved ice provided by Coastal Snow Shaved Ice!

Please follow Zero Waste practices and bring your own plate/utensils and properly use the green waste, recycle, and trash receptacles. Additional food options are available throughout the Harbor.

Beer Garden

  • We are proud to pour Poseidon Brewery’s Best!! Join us from 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Only persons 21 and over may enter the Beer Garden.
  • Don’t forget your ID– You will not be admitted to the beer garden without an ID.

Check it out at http://www.poseidonbrewingco.com

Merchandise

  • 2026 Limited Edition Race Jersey for the Ventura 2026 Outrigger Challenge will be available for presale and sold at the race.
  • 2026 Race hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts are available for presale and sold at the race.

Presale site: https://hokuloa-outrigger.square.site/

Fundraising: Kumano I Ke Ala

  • In addition to fundraising for the Hōkūloa Canoe Club, a portion of the merchandise proceeds will go to Kumano I Ke Ala (Home).
    • Kumano I Ke Ala’s mission: To build and perpetuate a foundation of Aloha `Aina through culturally-based Native Hawaiian education programming to grow self-aware, self-determined, and self-directed critical thinkers for a sustainable Hawai’i.

Support them through your merchandise purchase or make a donation today!

 

Vendors

A variety of goods for sale from vendors including:

    • Fitness Fashions
    • Marilou Shell Charms
    • Vintage Sea Cottage
    • California Cut

Accommodations

  • Other local hotels:
      • Best Western – 805-648-3101
      • Residence Inn (on Seaward) 805-618-2500

For camping, visit: https://www.ventura.org/visitors/campgrounds/

Local Regulations

Alcohol is not allowed on the beach or in the parking areas. Harbor Cove Beach is a dog friendly beach. Keep your dog on leash.