The Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club led a flotilla of several dozen paddlers in an ocean cleanup on Labor Day morning. The ocean cleanup was the product of a joint initiative between Lanakila, the Southern California Toyota dealers, the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, and the Eco Warrior Foundation. Paddlers met at the Lanakila club site at 7:30 Monday morning for a brief organizational meeting before taking to the waters of King Harbor in Redondo Beach. Once all the canoes and participating paddle craft were launched, paddlers split into three groups, each responsible for a different section of the harbor.
At 9:00, all three groups converged at the harbor mouth and formed a giant flotilla which slowly made its way to the north side of the Hermosa Beach pier. Camera drones whizzed overhead as beach goers looked on while the dozens of outrigger canoes, surfskis, paddleboards, and SUPs massed offshore.
Trash collected by the group was placed in specially designated bags provided by the Eco Warrior Foundation and ferried ashore in the lead Lanakila canoe. The flotilla of paddlers then slowly turned back south towards Redondo Beach and enjoyed the pristine summer paddling conditions as they made their way back to the harbor.
About the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club
The Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club is a competitive racing club based in King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California. The OC-6 racing season commences in May and continues through to early September. The season concludes with a challenging race between Newport Beach and Avalon on Catalina Island. Women’s teams and some co-ed crews race from Newport Beach to Avalon Harbor on a Saturday. The following day, the men’s teams and the remaining co-ed crews race the canoes back to Newport Beach.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first Catalina Channel crossing. The event takes place this weekend, September 7 – September 8 2019, and will be marked by a range festivities each evening.
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