2011 Hawaii Junior Lifeguard State Championships

The Big Island of Hawaii hosted this year’s Hawaii Junior Lifeguard State Championships on July 29th at Hapuna Beach, HI. Approximately 200 teens ages 13 to 17, competed in rigorous athletic events designed to showcase the skills they learned from summer training.

The competition included a 1,000 meter run, 200 meter swim, 100 meter run-swim-run, beach flags and six person paddleboard relay. The girls and boys competed in two age groups, 13-14 and 15-17. The Junior Lifeguard Program not only teaches teens water safety, first aid and surf rescue but also gives them lifelong skills in exercise, maintaining a healthy body and increases their self-confidence.

The Kauai Junior Lifeguard team defended their state championship by earning their eighth straight title with 149 points, followed by the Big Island with 104 points, Maui with 75 points and Oahu with 48 points. Before the awards ceremony, youth from the Big Island performed hula and dance in the true spirit of Big Island Aloha.

OluKai is the official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. Each year OluKai outfits all 450 Hawaiian lifeguards in the Kia’i sandal and the Kia’i Trainer, specially designed to handle the guards’ rigorous all-island fitness training demands.

Part of the proceeds from every Kia'i sandal and Kia’i Trainer goes directly to the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard Program. This donation is part of OluKai’s ‘Ohana Giveback Program where the company contributes time, money and resources to support cultural and environmental preservation efforts in Hawaii and beyond.

2011 marks the third year that OluKai has supported the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard Program. This past May 14th at the Third Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a on Maui, OluKai presented the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association with a monitary donation of $16,000 to support Junior Lifeguard Programs on the island of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii.

To learn about the Hawaii Junior Lifeguard Program please visit www.myjuniorguards.com

Monthly Ladies Paddling Series

On Wednesday, July 20th we held our monthly ladies paddling series in partnership with SUPCO in Laguna Beach. The event couldn't have been any better! We had amazing clear sunny skies, calm and glassy ocean conditions and an amazing turnout! Over 40 women came out to paddle, including a handful of returning participants from previous weeks. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many first time participants commenting on how safe they felt in the water and how welcoming and friendly the instructors were.

Check out the photos from the event:



We hope you will come join us at either of our two remaining sessions this summer:

August 17 / 4:30pm-6:30pm
September 21 / 4:30pm-6:30pm

Participation is reserved on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive by 4pm to allow time for sign-up.

About the OluKai 3rd Wednesday Paddling Series:

OluKai has partnered with Stand Up Paddle Company (SUPCO) in Laguna Beach to host complimentary ladies recreational paddle once a month. The goal of the event is to encourage women to experience the ocean in a new way, learn a new skill, and enjoy the company of others.

OluKai reserves 20 boards from SUPCO allowing two 1 hour sessions, for a total capacity of 40 women. Professional instructors from SUPCO lead the lessons, teaching basics on the beach, then one by one helping the women into the water. Instructors in the water paddle with the participants to give pointers or answer any questions. When it is time to paddle in through the surf zone, the instructors help each participant enter the beach safely.

All ability levels are welcomed. Bring your beach basics – towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, water, and a change of dry clothes. We’re excited to paddle with you!

OluKai Supports the 2011 Gorge Outrigger Races

OluKai helped support this years Gorge Outrigger Races, held on July 15-17th in Stevenson, WA.

Paddlers and their families came from all over the west coast to compete in the 2011 Gorge Outrigger Races. Conditions were not ideal to start, with a dead flat river and rain Saturday morning, but by the start of the first race the wind kicked up and the rain stopped. A record of 67 crews, 402 paddlers, raced the 10 mile course off the Stevenson waterfront. The 10 mile course consists of a 2-lap triangle, with both upwind downstream, and downwind upstream conditions, making for a very challenging race.

Sunday morning didn't start off any better than Saturday with rain and no wind but by the start of the small boat and SUP races the rain finally stopped, but unfortunately the wind never showed up. Even with the unwelcoming weather competitors, campers and spectators enjoyed another great race in the Columbia Gorge!

OluKai Giveback Day: 6 beaches, 300+ pounds of trash removed

On Friday July 8, OluKai partnered with six local specialty retailers to clean up several surf beaches in Southern California.

From Hermosa Beach Pier to Swamis in Encinitas, OluKai employees, retailers and community volunteers pitched in to remove 325 pounds of litter and debris during the concurrently scheduled Friday events.

The clean ups were part of OluKai's second Giveback Day, an annual event where our company closes it's offices and encourages staff to get outside and take an active approach to giving back to our local community.

Each clean up was focused on the home breaks of several of our best surf retailers in Southern California. Local volunteers as well as eco-minded vacationers were hosted with breakfast and gifts complimentary of OluKai and the respective specialty retailers.

We thank all of the dedicated volunteers and retailer partners who helped in the effort to keep our beaches clean.

Partner retailers and beaches as well as photos from the events are below:

Jack's Surfboards
Hermosa Beach @ Pier St

Harbour Surfboards
Seal Beach

SEED People's Market
Blackies/Newport Pier

Hobie Surf Shop
Main Beach Laguna

Hobie Surf Shop
San Clemente Pier & T-Street

Hansen's Surfboards
Swami's