Last Saturday was the final sprint regatta in the NCOCA (Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association) sprint season. After a slow start and a somewhat fractious middle to our season, the novice women's team put together it's best showing yet with a sub 3:00 minute 500 meter performance (our first) and a solid 3rd place finish (separated from 1st by mere seconds). 
(Novice women SFOCC and 3rd place blingity bling)
It was all hugs and congratulations as we produced our first truly cohesive result. Taking 3rd was the bonus - the feeling that we'd finally all come together in unison in our last sprint race attempt was the crowning glory.
(Val and Steph amassing a lot of OC1 hardware)
The rest of the day was equally rewarding, if not exceedingly long, with SFOCC placing well in almost all of our races, but more importantly taking the titles in the completely unofficial and purely for fun "double hull" and "flying the ama" categories.
(Joe and Dean playing ukeleles)
In double hull, we lashed two boats together, pulled in 12 mostly novice paddlers and went out to annihilate the competition in a straight 250 meter sprint. Mostly though it was about trying to turn, instigate water fights and make funny remarks as if we were 12 kids on a school bus.
(Flying the ama - 1st attempt)
The ama-flying contest was about getting the ama up and floating it above the water - how high, how long. Takes a good amount of balance to keep from completely flipping over (huli-ing) and in the end, every team ended up in the water. But not before SFOCC logged a couple of gems with Joe in the stroker seat performing a few bust-a-moves that would nab bragging rights for SF as winner of the ama contest in being the "most entertaining."
(Flying the ama - 3rd attempt, to the point of no return)
It was a great end to the season with everyone in good spirits, relaxed, having fun. A lot of the teams dressed in costumes whether matching wizard hats, press-on sideburns, speedos or a group of 6 dressed as the Village People. Someone forgot to send us the memo but we will SO represent next year! I hope we didn't lose to wizard hats but I can't remember now.
(Mike and I getting down to the uke strumming from Joe and Dean)
On to long distance season! First race is Alcatraz this weekend - although for novice we're stuck to a shorter course along Chrissy Field. Back to the rough waters we know, love/hate and practice in every week. Loving the paddling.
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