Outrigger Canoeing
An outrigger canoe is defined by having the inclusion of a rig known as an outrigger which acts as a counterpoise or balance, rigged out from the side of the canoe. A number of spars (iako), usually 2 but up to as many as 10 depending on the canoe's origin and purpose, are lashed across and to the canoe gunwales, extending outwards for a given distance and truncating with the attachment of a flotation device (ama).
In the case of the single outrigger canoe, only one outrigger attachment is used, extended usually out on the left or port side, whereas a double outrigger canoe has outriggers extending outwards on both sides. Many variations of this system exist according to the waters the canoes were used in, their function, the size of the primary hull and the materials available to the builders and designers.
By far the most popular racing outrigger canoe today is the single outrigger canoe, a six person canoe of between 40-43ft in length, having just 2 spars (iako) and it is this canoe which is the most universally used around the Pacific and beyond.
Outrigger Australia Marquesas Islands approaching Nuka Hiva Island. Photo Steve West
There has been very recently an explosion of interest in solo outrigger canoes which due to their nature are finding mass appeal amongst outrigger paddlers and those who want to gain entry into the sport but perhaps not commit to a team situation. In addition there are in isolated areas, two, three and four person outrigger canoes, which are raced on a regular basis, with Tahiti being the most active in this area. Surfing canoes are also gaining in popularity, with exports from Hawaii to California and France. These have a seating capacity of between 2-4 depending on the size of the canoe which tends to be short (22ft), stubby with plenty of rocker to allow them to fit into and between the waves.
Solo outrigger canoes are not a new concept, having been present throughout all regions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia for well over a thousand years. Used as a means of personal transportation or for the lone fisherman, the solo outrigger canoe was an essential possession of many an islander. First raced and popularised in Tahiti, the solo outrigger canoe was very much a flat water lagoon craft not designed for the rigours of the open ocean. Open decked and built to be extremely light and fast, serious modifications had to be made to the structural integrity of the canoe to make it suitable as an open ocean craft took place in Hawaii during the late 1980s.
Jaws Maui paddled for the first time by Rick Nu'u. Photo Steve West
Today, stand up paddle boarding is finding mass appeal amongst outrigger canoe paddlers due to the similarity of the bio mechanics involved in paddling via the use of an extended outrigger canoe paddle. Ocean skills in paddling in deep ocean water are replicated especially in a following sea.
Racing down the coastline of Tahiti. Photo Steve West