*SPOTLIGHT*

A Spotlight on Newport’s Own – Offshore Outrigger Canoe Club

BEN USAHA & WILLIE STEPHENSON

-       A Pair of Paddlers – Ben Usaha is 23 years old.  Willie Stephenson is 70.  Ben is a recent economics graduate from UCI.  Willie is a retired iron worker.  Ben was born in San Diego while Willie hails from Chicago. 

At first glance, it appears as if Ben and Willie have little in common.  However, both men share a passion for outrigger canoe racing. And both are members of The Offshore Outrigger Canoe Club, (O.O.C.C.). O.O.C.C. is one of the oldest outrigger canoe racing teams in Southern California.  They compete in races from May to September, from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.  This year in addition to competing in the California racing series they also sent 20 plus paddlers to the prestigious Kona Outrigger race in Hawaii.

Willie is a veteran of canoe racing.  He completed his first Newport to Catalina race before Ben was even born. Actually he began racing before Ben’s parents were born.  He has been in hundreds of races, both here and in Hawaii.  After 50 years of canoeing, he still has a boyish enthusiasm for the sport.

If you ask him “Why?” he smiles as he answers, “I love the anticipation at the start of each race, being physically and mentally involved during the race, and the exhausted feeling of accomplishment at race’s end.”

Last year was Ben’s novice year in paddling.  “I love the adrenaline rush of sitting seat one as we hit a 5 foot wave and then surfing the down swell”, says Ben as he describes why he participates.  “It’s very rewarding to tell people you paddled a canoe from Newport to Catalina”, he adds.

Talking with Willie and Ben about paddling is one of life’s sweet pleasures.  Both men love all that paddling brings them.  Being on the ocean, the competition, the exercise and the camaraderie of belonging to a team are what it’s all about. 

Submitted by Allen Schade