World record holding outrigger paddle boarder Aimee Spector in her spare time is a special needs teacher and counselor at Redondo Union High School.  For the past 21 years she has competed in the Catalina Crossing, missing just once to give birth to her son.  Later this year she will be featured as one of three women South Bay paddlers in a professional documentary called "Year on the Water," produced by filmakers Dan Brocket and Tony Peck.  “The film covers a lot more than just the racing, we cover all of the challenges and triumphs in the lives of both of our main subjects, although the film is about all women paddlers,” Brockett said. “Outrigger racing is a very time consuming sport that requires a lot of these women’s time and effort to be competitive.”   Her world record was set in 2017 in a a race from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida.    A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Spector is a member of the Lanikila Outrigger Canoe Club.

"We happen to be one of the largest clubs in Southern California with 12 canoes but even so it can be challenging to get everyone in a canoe on practice day!" Spector said.  "We practice rain or shine pretty much, unless there is truly a storm, and as long as the wind isn’t gale force. Our team has recreational paddlers who just like training but not competing, junior paddlers when school is out ages 8-17, and our oldest paddler is 78. It’s a great place to meet like minded athletes and ocean people, to participate as a family, and to compete at a very high level. Although it’s an ‘amateur’ sport we all take it pretty seriously! Most of us train throughout the year, and cross train at various sports to stay fit for paddling."

(Note:  Aimee's talk wil be videod today for a television documentary about her and two other world class athletes in her sport.  A large turnout is expected.  We suggest arriving early.) 

The progam will be introduced by our own woman on water, outrigger paddler Suzy Zimmerman.  Bring a guest!