What is an
Outrigger Canoe?
An
outrigger canoe is a traditional Hawaiian canoe, measuring 13.8 metres in
length, with a smaller ‘outrigger’ (ama) for stability.
The canoe accommodates 6 paddlers, each of which paddle with a
single-bladed paddle, with control of the canoe being left to the paddler in
the 6th seat (steerer) who uses their blade in a similar
fashion to a rudder to control direction of the canoe.
A six-person canoe is referred to as an OC6.
Outrigger
canoes also come in one-person (OC1) and two-person (OC2) styles.
History
of Outrigger Canoeing
Outrigger
canoe paddling has its origins in the development and spread of the coastal
culture of the
Pacific rim
region about 30,000 years ago, with canoes playing an integral role in the
survival and transmigration of ancient cultures.
It
was many thousands of years before outrigger canoe racing became a competitive
sport and maritime advancement saw the canoe evolve to the sleek racing boats
of today. The first canoe race,
initially for men, was in the
Hawaiian Islands
in
Waikiki
in 1917.
The
Australian Story
Outrigger
canoe racing is a relatively young sport in
Australia
.
Seventy years after
Hawaii
’s first
Outrigger Canoe Club was formed, the first club in
Australia
was
formed in 1978 on the Gold Coast. The
first regatta in
Australia
was
held in 1981 and the national body, Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing
Association (AOCRA) was formed in 1988.
The
sport has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years with the development of clubs in
other states of
Australia
,
expanding the sport’s power base and spiritual home in northern
Queensland
and the
Whitsunday region to make it a more “national sport”.
In
1990 there were 11 clubs in
Australia
and
today there are over 50 clubs. Racing
takes on two forms, marathons and sprints, both in six person canoe and solo
canoes.
What
about the Races?
Sprint
races are held over 500-3000 metres, whilst marathon races vary between 5 and
30 kilometres. For races over
30km, the six person canoes are allowed to have 9 crew with any 3 alternating
by way of changeovers. This is
where paddlers fall out of the canoe and are replaced by waiting paddlers in
the water who grab the side of the canoe and pull themselves into the craft to
commence paddling.
Age
divisions include junior divisions from
10
to 18 years old, Open Men and Women, Master Men and Women over 35, Senior
Master Men and Women over 45 and Golden Master Men and Women over 55.
Outrigging
Regattas
Because
of the vast size of the country there are various racing Zones conducting their
own competitions within
Australia
.
Each zone conducts approximately 6 Grand Prix regattas over a six month
period with the AOCRA Australian Championships being held during these Zone
seasons.
Additional
to this, various other major events are held annually, including the
prestigious and challenging 35km Hamilton Cup held in the beautiful Whitsunday
Islands and the 37km Gold Coast Cup between Coolangatta and Southport.
What
does Outrigger Canoeing offer Individuals?
Friendships,
health, fitness, an affinity with an aquatics environment and a cultural
education will be fostered, along with a deeper sense of self, obtained by
meeting the very special demands that outrigger canoe racing and paddling makes
on the paddler.