Patti Lawson has been competing in paddle sports for 14 years, getting her start in marathon canoe before choosing outrigger canoe as her primary focus.   As an 9-year member of False Creek Racing Canoe Club’s successful women’s A-crew she has raced locally and internationally with outstanding results.  Among Patti’s OC-6 accomplishments are a 3^rd place at the U.S. Long Distance Outrigger Championships (Catalina Crossing), 4^th ,6^th and 8th place finishes at Molokai and a 4^th place at Australia’s famous Hamilton Island Regatta.    In addition, she has many OC-1 and OC-2 successes to her name including two 3^rd place finishes in the Catalina Small Boat Crossing, one in OC-1 and the other in OC-2, and winning the CORA cup for mixed OC-2 in 2008. As well as being a passionate paddler, Patti is a committed coach. She spent four years as the head coach of the Lotus Sports Club and the last four years coaching the FCRCC Kupuna program.  In addition, Patti has coached several False Creek crews through change races including the Catalina Crossing.