Established in 2011, the Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers Club (BBOP or the “Club”) has become a mainstay for helping our local communities get out on the water on a regular basis.  The varied recreational and competitive interests among club members represents a unique and unified whole that distinguish BBOP from other clubs.  BBOP values and encourages the involvement of community members of all abilities to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest waters within our team-centered organization.

 

Our primary mission is to maintain and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through the promotion of competitive and recreational outrigger canoe paddling for adults, youth and families in Whatcom and Skagit counties.  As a member of the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association (PNWORCA, BBOP members also compete with and against teams in races held around the world.

 

The strength of BBOP is evident not only on the water, but throughout our community.  BBOP members embody the Hawaiian tradition of “lauliima, which means “many hands working together.”  We volunteer at various events throughout the year, including Earth Day clean up efforts, Bellingham SeaFest, Run-in’ O’ the Green, the Padden Triathlon, Women on the Water, and fundraising events including the annual “Paddle for Food.”  Our service ethic Emanates from our deep sense of responsibility as stewards of the land and the sea, from which we gain so much enjoyment.

 

Paddling in a 6-person outrigger canoe (OC6) provides youth (“Keiki”) and adults with an opportunity to develop and maintain physical fitness, determination, and teamwork skills.  BBOP values and encourages these benefits, while also emphasizing fun, and the importance of ‘Ohana” (“family”).  The extended BBOP family fosters friendship, mutual respect, and acceptance.; our common bond empowers us to move forward (“imua”) with confidence to meet our individual and collective goals.

 

BBOP is a federally recognized 501 © 3 nonprofit and a 100% volunteer-run organization.