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

Southern California Beach Cleanups / 'Ohana Giveback Day

Join OluKai and the best surf shops in Southern California to give back to the local community, beautify our beaches, and protect the environment. Breakfast and refreshments will be served and volunteers will be entered to win prizes including OluKai sandals, T-shirts, beach towels, and more!










Beach Cleanup at Hermosa Beach @ Pier St
Presented by OluKai and Jack's Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Hermosa Beach @ Pier Street

Beach Cleanup at Seal Beach
Presented by OluKai and Harbour Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Harbour Surfboards
329 Main St, Seal Beach

Beach Cleanup at Blackies/Newport Pier
Presented by OluKai and SEED People's Market
July 8, 2011 / 11am-3pm
Meet at Blackies/Newport Pier

Beach Cleanup at Main Beach Laguna
Presented by OluKai and Hobie Surf Shop
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Hobie Surf Shop
249 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach

Beach Cleanup at San Clemente Pier & T-Street
Presented by OluKai and Hobie Surf Shop
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at San Clemente Pier

Beach Cleanup at Swami's
Presented by OluKai and Hansen's Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Swami's

There is a strong tradition of giving back in Hawaiian culture. Each year we share this spirit across the nation on our 'Ohana Giveback Day. On July 8, OluKai employees, representatives, and retail partners across the nation, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, will spend the day giving back in their local communities.

Linda Wolven Wins A Trip for Two to Maui!!

Congratulations to Linda Wolven, winner of OluKai’s Passage to Maui promotion, whose winning entry was made at Snyder Shoes in Ludington, Michigan.

This will be Linda’s first trip to Hawaii and her first trip on a plane…ever! She and her husband will be treated to 2 complementary round-trip tickets to Kahului, Maui and 3 nights hotel accommodations. While on Maui, they will get a fun, friendly and very local, all-access island tour provided by OluKai's Hawaii Ambassador, Matthew Murasko. The couple will also receive complimentary pairs of OluKai Premium Footwear of their choice.

From thousands of entries only 1 could win!
This year's winner was randomly chosen by last year's winning territory representative.

The Passage to Maui promotion ran throughout the month of May in over 550 participating OluKai retailers. Customers were given the chance to enter to win a grand prize trip to the island of Maui, Hawaii. 16,850 entries were received, with the winner chosen by random drawing on June 23, 2011.

Inaugural Father’s Day 4K and 1 Mile Stand Up Paddle Rez Race Draws a Crowd to the Boulder Reservoir

This past Father’s Day, OluKai teamed up with Boulder Running Company for their inaugural Father’s Day 4K and 1 mile Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race. The event drew some of the top runners and paddlers in the area.

The 4K run was an all-out race to the finish with 1st place going to Aaron Carrizales and 2nd place to David Roche. The two runners finished within a second of one another. Laurie Walker was the fastest woman. And our own Jason Freise took the first place honors for the SUP race!

It was a great, family-focused event with Father/Son and Father/Daughter divisions in the run. Participants and their families were treated to a Father’s Day Hawaiian BBQ dinner, as well as a sampling of traditional Hawaiian music and dancing.

100% of the proceeds from the 4K/SUP race went to directly benefit Orphans of AIDS Foundation and the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation EXPAND program.

Complete results are posted at http://boulderroadrunners.org/results/index.html

A big mahalo to Boulder Running Company for putting on a fantastic event!