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Encyclopedia > Outrigger Canoe Racing

Outrigger Canoe Racing is a team paddling sport which utilises the outrigger canoe. The sport is also known as Wa'a racing in some parts of the Pacific and Waka Ama (Māori) in New Zealand. The length of the race can be up 500 meters in short sprint events, 8 kilometres for "short course" events, 16 to 18 kilometres for "long course" events, and 42 kilometres for marathon events. The standard crew complement is six to nine, depending on the type of race and canoe. As a standard outrigger canoe contains six seats, crew changovers during longer races involve exit and entry to the canoe directly from the water while the canoe is underway. The longer races are typically conducted in the open ocean. For activities involving paddles, see canoeing. ... Outrigger canoe at El Nido, Philippines The outrigger canoe (Tagalog: bangka; Maori: waka; Hawaiian: waa) is a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. ... View of the Pacific Ocean from Oregon. ... Māori or Te Reo Māori, commonly shortened to Te Reo (literally the language) is an official language of New Zealand. ... A race is a competition of speed. ... A crew comprises a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. ...

Image:OutriggerRace.jpg
Two Outrigger teams competing. The steerer and paddlers can be clearly seen.

Contents

History

  1. Polynesian Voyaging Society
  2. Pacific Rim countries

Outrigger canoe racing has grown to become a very popular paddling sport, with numerous sporting and social clubs located around the world. Sporting clubs are also often involved with dragon boat racing. Map of the Pacific Rim and List of the Pacific Rim Nations  It should be possible to replace this fair use image with a freely licensed one. ... A dragon boat at the Stanley Dragon Boat Festival, Hong Kong A Dragon boat (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin: lóngzhōu, lóngchuán) is a very long and narrow human powered boat used in the team paddling sport of Dragon boat racing, which may also be known as... A race is a competition of speed. ...


Paddling roles

During an outrigger race the paddlers sit in line, facing toward the prow of the canoe (ie. forward, in the direction of travel, unlike rowing). The steerer (or steersman) sits at the very back of the canoe and as the name indicates, is primarily responsible for steering, and the stroke (or stroker) sits at the very front of the boat, and is responsible for setting the pace of the paddle strokes. The first two positions may also be involved in certain steering manoeuvers. Rowing in the Amstel River by a student rowing club. ... Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. ...


Steerers

A good steerer is able to maintain the straight attitude of the canoe throughout the course of a race, and also keep the boat and the crew safe in rough sea conditions. The steerer uses a steering paddle which is larger than a standard outrigger paddle, and steers by "poking" on the left or right side of the canoe. A steerer also skippers the canoe and instructs all other the paddlers as necessary. The word straight may refer to: the quality or state of extending in one direction without turns, bends or curves; or being without influence or interruption. ...


As an outrigger is a long narrow canoe with the steerer placed at the very end, the steerer must give instructions sufficiently loudly and clearly for the entire crew to hear. From a water safety perspective the steerer should also be amongst the most experienced crew members, and be knowledgeable with the waterways and weather conditions, relevant maritime rules and other safety considerations such as the use of personal floatation devices, and the weight distribution of paddlers. Warning signs, such as this one, can improve safety awareness. ...


Paddlers

Stronger paddlers are typically placed in the middle of the canoe, while paddlers with the most endurance tend to be placed at the front, as the lead paddler sets the pace for the crew. All other paddlers synchronize their strokes to the paddler in front of them (whom they can directly see). Paddlers at the front may also be instructed to "uni" (a coordinated, hard turn) or "huki" so as to help steer the canoe during sharp or sudden manoeuvers.


Adaptive (Disabled) Paddlers

Outrigger Canoeing is a sport accessible to all. The International Va'a Federation (IVF) have included adaptive events in the World Sprints and the sport is growing in popularity amongst disabled athletes. Countries known to participate in Adaptive Outrigger include Hawaii, Italy, U.S.A, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.


Modifications can easily be added to seats or paddles enabling athletes with a wide range of disabilities to participate in the same canoe and/or race!


Associations

The International Va'a Federation (IVF) is the international governing body for outrigger canoe racing, which has done nothing to promote the sport but have 1 race called the "World Sprints" every 2 years someplace in the pacific.


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Hawaiian Canoe (404 words)
The stabilizing framework attached to the canoe hull across canoe spreader bars by means of traditional lashing techniques using cordage, consists of two iako or spars, at the outer end of which the ama or float is attached.
Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania's use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles, journeying in double hulled voyaging canoes.
Canoe racing became an important part of island life, as much pride and prestige was placed on victory.
Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing (420 words)
Outrigger canoe racing, or "paddling" as it is referred to by Hawaii locals, is a sport with origins in the Hawaiian Islands and enjoyed worldwide.
Ancient Hawaiians used the outrigger canoe for both survival and recreation, the latter providing opportunities for paddlers and steersmen to hone their skills in the open sea.
Canoe racing was a popular sport and means of entertainment for the Hawaiians, and sometimes involved gambling with land and possessions providing the contest stakes.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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