Registration now Open for the Tempe Town Lake Outrigger Canoe Association’s 9th Annual Regatta

TEMPE, Ariz. - March 27, 2014 - PRLog -- AT THE HEART OF TEMPE you will find its prized possession: Tempe Town Lake. Year round the lake is home to triathlons, sailing, fishing, rowing, outrigger canoes, dragonboats, and most recently standup paddleboards (SUPs).

April 12, 2014 will be the Outrigger Canoe Association’s (TTLOCA’s) 9th Annual Regatta at Tempe Town Lake and this year the association is debuting its first SUP division to complement the existing OC divisions. The Hawaiian-inspired Regatta will celebrate the Aloha spirit all day long with various race categories, food, music, games, dancing, demonstrations, raffles, and an after-party for the whole family. The event will take place in the grass park areas on the north shore near the lake marina and boat ramps.

The Regatta wants to promote paddle sports and the lake to paddlers from near and far. The mission of the TTLOCA, explained Race Director John Selman, is to "share this great training space with team and individual Outriggers, SUPs, Dragonboats, surf-skis and kayaks. We have lots of cross-participation, particularly between SUP and Outrigger. Those who paddle Outrigger with a team know how SUP can add to an individual’s training, while paddling with others in an Outrigger helps the SUP paddler’s technique and timing.”

“Before he passed away, Tempe Town Lake’s first boating coordinator, Joseph 'Okie' O’Connor, stressed that events like the Outrigger Regatta, while competitive, should also be inclusive," Selman continued.  "Paddlers stress that our clubs exist to spread Aloha through the sport of paddling!   While winning is fun, we always paddle together as an ohana (family) first.”

So how does an outrigger canoe association find the experience to organize a stand up paddleboard division? The answer is easy; ask the Valley’s only paddleboard shop No Snow Stand Up Paddleboards to help!  “Developing a SUP race scene here is a dream come true and we couldn’t be more honored to team up with TTLOCA to unite paddle communities," said shop owner Court Fetter. "No ocean required, just a team of great folks that love the water!”

To sign up register online or print and mail in your forms at www.ttloca.com. For more information call 480-807-6787 or emailnosnowsup@gmail.com