California’s first U.S. Outrigger Championships

NEWPORT BEACH—Pictured is the Newport team for the first outrigger race that took place on September 20, 1959. Bud Hohl, historical committee member for Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA), provided context for the photos. The photo was highlighted during SCORA’s 50th anniversary celebration of Hawaiian canoe paddling during 2009.

Hohl said, “We researched that event from past articles, interviewed living participants, and [studied] a 16 mm film of the first event that had no sound and very few credits. If you Google 1959 Catalina outrigger race you will see and hear about that inaugural event. The research and enhancement took three months … As for follow-up history, I have [written] that in several articles.”

Visit catalinacrossing.org/history to learn the full story.

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