OUTRIGGERS
Wasabi Outrigger Program
Our Outrigger program consists of our four OC6’s and our small boat, OC1 and OC2’s.
New paddlers who wish to access the Outrigger Program may try 3 open practices on an OC6 before deciding to join the club. After 3 sessions, new paddlers will need to pay annual membership to continue practicing. Paddlers can continue paddling during the Open Practice times, or can ask to become a member of our various crews. Crews are formed by members of Wasabi and must include a certified steer person. Crews have a variety of focuses--from recreational to competitive, and include all age brackets. All current Wasabi members may access the outrigger program.
Small boats are only accessible to current Wasabi members who have taken the small boat certification and have completed a huli and bridge-to-bridge paddle. If you're interested in finding an open practice, joining a crew, or getting certified, contact the OC Coordinator at wasabioutrigger@gmail.com.
While you will join the team(s) that fit you best and your schedule, you will be a member of Wasabi Paddling Club and entitled to all activities within our Club.
Outrigger Culture
The sport of outrigger canoeing has been practiced for over 5000 years. Polynesians navigated the South Pacific in canoes almost 1000 years before Columbus landed in America. Today, Pacific Islanders still use canoes for inter-island transport. For the Polynesian culture, outrigger canoes are more than just a means of transportation. It is the primary means by which teamwork, sharing and a sense of extended family (ohana) are communicated to one another all centered on the core value of performance through cooperation.
Outrigger canoe racing is popular in Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, England, Europe, Fiji, Hawai’i, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa and the United States. In the U.S., there are clubs in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
--Source: http://
Competition
Community
Camaraderie
Outrigger Practice Schedule
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 OC6 -- INVITE, Ohana (Anne Malkasian) | 9:00-11:00 am | |
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| 1 OC6 INVITE, Kim's Crew (Kim Waldrep) | 9:00-11:00 am | ||||||
| OPEN Small Boats | 9:00 am-11:00 am | ||||||
| 2 OC6 OPEN, Coached OC (Kate Kauffman) | 11:00 am-1:00 pm | ||||||
| 2 OC6 INVITE, Wa'a Mai (Patty Easton) | 11:00 am-1:00 pm | ||||||
| 2 OC6 INVITE, Kapuna (Dennis Hoyer) | 12:30-2:30 pm | 12:30-2:30 pm | |||||
| 2 OC6 INVITE, Burn (Lori Scharlin) | 3:00-5:00 pm |
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| INVITE, SOAR (Lori Laws/Laura Freeman) | 6:00-7:30 pm | ||||||
| 1 OC6 -- INVITE, Ohana (Anne Malkasian) | 6:00-9:00 pm | ||||||
| 1 OC6 INVITE, Wiki Wiki (Lynda Powell) | 6:00-9:00 pm | ||||||
| 2 OC6 OPEN, Coached OC, GRIT (Kate Kauffman) | 6:30-8:30 pm | ||||||
| 1 OC6 INVITE,Team 13 (Jill Metz) | 6:30-8:30 pm | ||||||
| 1 OC6 OPEN Men's Crew (Dan Rohlf) | 7:00-9:00 pm | ||||||
| 1 OC6 INVITE, Triple B's (Alexis Champagne) | 7:00-9:00 pm |
Sprint races are typically held over 500 – 2000 meters. Iron distance races typically are held between 9 –18 miles, while change-out races can be as long as 40 miles.
Small Boat Season
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OC-1 and -2's race during the winter, October-April, to mirror the winter series offered in Hawaii. Paddlers can engage in the local winter series races, which are offered on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, and in various locations in Washington. Races are anywhere from 6-9 miles in length. Small boat racing is an excellent way to improve your personal fitness and competitiveness, while enjoying a close community of paddling ohana.
OC6 Season
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OC6 races occur from April-October, and crews can opt to race locally, regionally, or in national races. Local races happen in the Columbia River as well as various locations throughout Washington. Race distances are from 6-18 miles. Regional or national races offer higher levels of competition and more options of distance, up to 50 miles. Wasabi has sent crews to several races in Hawaii, the Catalina Crossing in California, to New York, and Wasabi members have qualified for the World V-1 sprint regatta.
Certifications
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Wasabi values the safety of our boats and our paddlers, and we expect our paddlers to be knowledgeable and safe when paddling. We require that people using small boats complete the small boat certification, which entails boat construction, carrying, huli, and paddling. Certifications are offered several times per year. Paddlers will need to re-huli every 2 years to keep their certification current.
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Wasabi always welcomes paddlers who wish to learn how to steer OC6's. Our steerspeople are responsible for the boat's safety, and therefore need to complete a certification. To become a certified steer, paddlers will need to have 6+ practices of steering, docking, and navigating; will take a verbal test about general boat safety and logistics; and will lead a crew through a huli drill. Certified steers also should take the Coast Guard boating class. The OC Coordinator will consider waiving parts or all of the certification requirements for expert steers who have a proven record of steering on other teams.
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Wasabi small boats may be used for racing only after the paddler has been certified in transportation and carries liability insurance for travel. Any Wasabi crew may request to use club OC6s in races, and we always welcome people who wish to certify in large boat hauling and transportation.
(OC Coordinator, Kate Kauffman)
