Category: Featured

Outrigger canoe paddling, training and staying healthy.

California 100 – Going the Ultradistance

Priscilla McKenney

Below is an article I wrote, published in Sea Kayaker Magazine in October 2013. This 100 mile paddle race,  will be hosted again in 2019 under a new name, the California River Quest. For me, the past five years have been a huge learning curve in training for paddle endurance races. The keys to improvement and progress are to be consistent, set goals and keep it fun. Introduction The California 100, California’s first paddle sport ultramarathon, is a 100-mile paddling race on the Sacramento River from Redding to a takeout…

Motivation Tips for an Active Life

Priscilla McKenney

Today, a good friend who wants to be more active, asked me, “how do you stay motivated with training?”I responded with this reflection. Five years ago, you would not have found me rising by 5:30am to get an early morning work out before going to work. I would do it later in the day and sometimes skip it because I was too tired after work. Now I do get up early and prioritize my workout that I regard as self care. Currently, almost everyday, I start my day with either…

Girl Scout Adventures-Bold Not Bossy-part 1

Priscilla McKenney

My Girl Scouts are bad-ass backpackers who are motivated, skilled and a high functional group. I met my Scouts at the Chilnuaina Falls trailhead to begin an eight day trip to Chain Lakes, an alpine basin located in the SW corner of Yosemite National Park in July. This Backpack Interest Group is a year round, girl led and volunteer adult supported backpacking program. Once a month, throughout the year, they go backpacking to build their outdoor skills and fitness, preparing them for their summer expedition, “The Miler”. Every summer, I…

An Epic Odyssey- part 2

Priscilla McKenney

The morning I had been waiting for, the Ka’iwi Channel Relay, a 40 mile outrigger canoe race, crossing from Molokai to Oahu, had arrived. This relay race is paddled in a one person outrigger canoe where you switch out with your partner every 30-45 minutes, requiring an escort boat. The Ka’iwi channel is notorious for its reputation of being one of the toughest ocean channel crossings in the world because of its strong winds, currents and large swells. Situated in the middle of the Pacific ocean, with exposure to thousands of…

Ocean Inspired-Training Tips

Priscilla McKenney

In less than two weeks, I will be in the final hours of preparation for a long awaited race day in Hawaii.  This will be my second time to participate in The Pailolo Channel crossing race, a 26 miles, solo outrigger canoe competition that begins on the Northwest shores of Maui, crosses the Pailolo (“Crazy Fisherman”) Channel, to finish in the harbor of Molokai. A week later, with my buddy, James, we will compete in a 41 miles relay across the Kai’wi channel, paddling a solo canoe and switching out…