09/23/2026
🙏 OpenWater is extraordinarily fortunate to have such a deep bench of talented steerspeople, and frankly, our paddling ecosystem depends on them! A good steersperson is never just the person holding the paddle in seat six of the outrigger canoe; they’re the quiet force that makes everything possible. Without them, we couldn’t safely host group outrigger paddles, we couldn’t field a men’s or women’s team, and we certainly couldn’t welcome new paddlers into the sport with the confidence, safety, and care that define our community.
Literally, the steersperson keeps the canoe upright, pointed in the right direction, and is responsive to the ocean’s mood. They read currents, wind, and swell patterns; they make split‑second decisions that protect the crew, preserve the canoe, and turn chaos into flow.
Figuratively, they do even more. A steersperson is a stabilizer: someone who sets the tone, builds trust, and keeps the crew aligned. They model calm under pressure, humility in leadership, and the kind of presence that makes people feel safe enough to push themselves. In many ways, they embody the values OpenWater works so hard to cultivate: resilience, teamwork, and purposeful action.
🔥 How This Leadership Connects to OpenWater’s Mission
OpenWater welcomes new participants through Active Mentorship, a six‑month experience that strengthens resilience, builds peer‑driven leadership, and supports long‑term wellbeing for first responders, military personnel, and their families. Participants focus on watercraft skills, recovery techniques, and nutrition, preparing them for a demanding 33‑mile channel crossing. Completion earns them the title Ambassadors of Change who then guide small groups in ongoing training and wellness activities, creating a sustainable, nationwide pipeline of future coaches.
Steerspeople are the natural extension of this pathway. They translate OpenWater’s values into motion on the water.
❤️ Meet the individuals whose expertise, steadiness, and heart make our paddling culture possible.
