Congratulations to our very own Casey and Charlie White, 2007 recipients of the A.E. Toots Minvielle Memorial Paddle Award.  Cheance Adair, Race Committee Chair presented Casey and Charlie with this beautiful koa wood paddle at the 2007 Catalina Channel Crossing US Championships outrigger canoe race.

The late Toots was the father of the Moloka'i race and brought Hawai'ian canoe racing to California in 1959.  Toots also founded the International Hawai'ian Canoe Racing Association (IHCRA), an organization that brought nations of people together.

The paddle was originally given to him when he was inducted into the Hawai'ian Sports Hall of Fame http://hawaiisportshalloffame.com/xminv.htm.  It was later given to IHCRA who presented the paddle to the Southern California paddling community in the early 90's.  A symbol of dedication and hard work, the A.E. Toots Minvielle Paddle Award recognizes and celebrates members of the paddling community who strive for the continued growth and development of the sport.

Recipients:
1992:  Mindy Clark
1993:  Bill Hamilton
1994:  John Rader
1995:  Sandy Kahanamoku
1996:  Wendy DeWitt
1997:  Bobby Woods
1998:  Uncle Bud Hohl
1999:  Greg Shaghoian
2000:  Clint Matthews
2001:  Cheance Adair
2002:  Billy Whitford
2003:  Rena & Egon Horcajo
2004:  Mike Roberts
2005:  Carol Shick
2006:  Caren Thompson
2007:  Casey & Charlie White