WHY I CARRY OUTRIGGER ZONE CANOES
My first time on a stand-up paddleboard was love at first stroke. Standing tall, gliding across the water, peering down into the depths—pure magic. So when outrigger canoes arrived at my shop, I dismissed them with one glance: "I'll never sit down and paddle!"
Then Johnny Puakea showed up. He was promoting the new Ehukai and completely dissected my paddle technique. Humbling as it was, his advice instantly improved my speed. He claimed outrigger paddling would enhance my SUP technique too. Though skeptical, my world champion ambitions won out—if paddling a canoe could help, I was in. I bought an Ehukai "just in case." That decision changed everything.
In 2016, I broke my foot practicing SUP beach starts. Stand-up paddling was impossible for months, but that neglected canoe in my garage became my salvation. That summer, my performance breakthroughs were remarkable.
A year later, I moved to California, embraced outrigger fully, joined a local club, and competed in every winter series event possible. For something I'd sworn off, I was doing it constantly—and excelling.
I finally understood what Johnny meant: outrigger gave me space to breathe, relax, feel the water, and perfect my stroke. I was moving faster with half the effort. Outrigger didn't just increase my speed—it transformed me into a better all-around paddler.
Since then, I've immersed myself in outrigger. I've won all three stages of Hawaii's prestigious Koa Nui, the Gorge Downwind Champs, claimed silver in V1 sprints, and gold with the USA Women's Elite team at the IVF World Championships. I love the glide and the competitive chase—the va'a racing world is exceptional.
Throughout this journey, I've paddled countless boats. As my life shifted from "jet-set athlete" to "mom, coach, and mentor," selling the boats I believed in felt natural. I've trusted them with my career—and tested their limits. Once, I backed into a tree with my canoe on the roof rack. The tree died. The canoe emerged without a scratch. Another time, a truck hit my boat in a marina parking lot, breaking my racks clean off—yet the canoe remained unscathed. That Ehukai still holds a place in my lineup today.
I'm honored to paddle Puakea's Cantare for training and racing, and equally proud to represent Outrigger Zone's full line of Kai Wa'a canoes and surfskis. These boats rank among the fastest, lightest, and strongest on the market—and I get to share them through Paddle Barn.
Paddle Barn exceeds being just a shop. As both athlete and coach (and accidental durability tester), I know quality and fit transform your experience on water. To spare you years of trial and error, I've curated my favorite brands here—trusted performers ready to carry you faster and farther with complete confidence. I'm committed to helping paddlers find their perfect craft.
