Like many canoe clubs, Team Arizona has humble beginnings.
Coach Allen
Team Arizona began with the vision of one man. Coach Allen Abad started paddling in the mid 1960’s with Leeward Kai Canoe Club. Much like today, the club was family oriented where all members came together to paddle and help the club. In 1968, Coach Allen left Hawaii to serve in the Navy. After serving four years, Coach Allen moved to San Diego where he met other local people from Hawaii and in 1976, San Diego’s first canoe club was established. It started as a recreational club, allowing locals to enjoy what they missed from back home. A few years later, Coach Allen moved to Arizona where he later founded Team Arizona Outrigger Canoe Club (TAZ) in 2004. In 2009, after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer, Coach Allen passed away. Team Arizona proudly paddles in loving memory of Coach Allen and strives to honor his memory and teachings whether we are in or out of the canoe together..
Our Mission
to promote the Hawaiian culture through competitive and recreational outrigger canoe paddling
for youth (keikis), family (ohana), and the community
Our Philosopies
- Hōʻihi – Respect: Treat people, places, and things like they are special.
- Pono – Integrity : Choose right over wrong.
- Haʻahaʻa – Humility: Be humble, and a good sport.
- Ohohia – Enthusiasm: Be happy in everything you do.
- Na‘auao – Knowledge: Learn, share, and have an open mind.
- Ho’aloha – Friendship: Make friends for life.
- Alakaʻi – Leadership: Guide, teach, encourage, enjoy.
- Moʻomeheu – Culture: Promote competitive and recreational outrigger canoe paddling.
Board of Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Social-Media
Head Coach