Where is MDROCC located?

Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey. View map.

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Where do I park?

There are several Beaches & Harbors Parking Lots surrounding Mother's Beach. The closest one is Lot 9 located across the street (Palawan Way) from the canoes. This is a pay and display lot (see Beaches & Harbor website for current rates). You can also park for free on Washington Blvd, which is two blocks away.

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What should I bring to practice?

If you are new to paddling, we recommend that you bring the following items:​

• Water
• Sunscreen

• Beachwear/Sportswear and Hat (be ready for a workout that will include a splash or two)

• Dry Change of Clothes (for after)

• Towel

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When do you practice?

During the main season (Mar–Sept), we practice three times per week. Please refer to Programs section for days and times.

 

How much does it cost to join MDROCC?

Dues may vary from year to year and are established by the Board of Directors. Please refer to Membership section for membership pricing.

(PLEASE NOTE: Full Dues must be paid to race ANY 9-Man race. Annual dues cover insurance, purchase and maintenance of equipment, race fees, use of club paddles, race escort boat expenses and a race jersey. Dues are not prorated but can be paid in two installments – at the beginning of the season (mid-March), and before the beginning of the sprint races (June). Dues are the same whether you race or not. Dues cover the period of the season until March of the next year. Dues are not prorated and are not refundable.)

 

Do I need to know how to swim?

Paddling is a water sport. Much of the activity will take place in the open ocean. If you are uncomfortable in the water, you may (will) be asked to wear a life vest.  Check out our Essential Eligibility Criteria page for more info.

 

Can I try it out before joining the club?

Yes, you can come out and try paddling for a couple of practices to see if this is something that you’d be interested in doing.

 

When does the novice season begin?

As a novice paddler joining the team during the racing season, you will learn the basics of outrigger canoe paddling and be coached on technique and how to best train for racing. Novice practices begin in mid-March.  During the off season, October–March, you can join the team as a novice, or first time paddler, to get a feel for the sport before the racing season begins. 

 

Do you have paddles I can borrow?

Yes, we have club paddles that you can borrow for practices and races. We ask club members to take care of the paddles by rinsing and returning them to the storage area after use.

 

Do novice paddlers race against experienced paddlers?

There are separate races for the novices in the Iron and Sprint portions of the racing seasons (see SCORA race schedule). The novice races are usually a fraction of the distance of the open races, and will give you a chance to build your endurance and mental strength, while competing against paddlers of similar experience. This is a fun period, and a great chance to get on the podium, although the competition is still fierce.

The novice paddlers train and race separately until the coaches integrate the novice into the veteran paddling crews. During 9-man season, there are no novice distinctions, and all race together.

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Do I have to race? How are race crews chosen?

Racing is optional, but it is what we train for during the season. Coaches set the racing crew line up based on each paddler's athletic ability, experience and how they blend with other crew members. If you are interested in recreational paddling, you can join us during our off-season.

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What is the "Log In" feature used for on the website?

This feature is currently used for payments made through the website - such as paying dues, rack fees or pre-purchasing Kahanamoku Klassic merchandise.

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