Joined OCC: December 20, 1963
Elected to Winged “O”: September 18, 1993
When Bill Bright first became active at the Outrigger Canoe Club, his only thoughts were to participate in the water sports that he loved and had missed while attending high school on the Big Island and college in Vermont.
Once back in Hawaii, he didn’t lose any time. He has been an avid canoe paddler and kayaker since 1974, as well as Club Captain, coach and member of the Canoe Racing and Kayak committees.
Elected to membership in the Outrigger in 1963, he started paddling for the Club in 1974 and paddled his first Molokai race that year. He was a member of the winning OCC Molokai crews in 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984 and 1986, and was on the winning masters crews in 1990, 1992 and 1993. He also paddled on the open crews in the Molokai in 1997, 1997, 1978, 1981, 1985 and 1989, and was on the second place Masters crews in 1988 and 1991. He paddled on a total of 21 Molokai crews.
During regatta season, Bill has paddled on novice, upper division and masters crews. He won 13 OHCRA championships and 14 HCRA championships.
Bill is a founding member of the OCC Kayak Committee. He served as chair in 1985, 1986 and 1987, and more years as a member. He was a regular competitor in kayak races, placing regularly in the open and masters division. He’s competed in the Molokai kayak race.
Bill has also been a member of the Canoe Racing Committee several different times.
When Bill served as Club Captain in 1990-1991, he took over where previous Club Captain Ron Li had started in defining the role of the Club Captain, streamlining procedures and simplifying the athletic budget. He won high praise from the Board and Club management for his professionalism and accomplishments. During his tenure as Club Captain he revitalized the junior volleyball program, and the Surfing and Canoe Surfing Committees.
Bill has been a coach on many canoe racing teams, including youth teams.
He has served on and chaired the Admissions & Membership Committee.