Outrigger Canoeing

Description

An outrigger crew is a combination of six individuals thinking together, pulling together, and supporting each other, all connected by a single canoe. It is the perfect technique and timing of the paddles through the water, not necessarily the physical strength of members, which truly makes the canoe fly! A team environment, friendship, sportsmanship, health and fitness are some of the other fantastic reasons why this sport is so popular.

Team Survivor offers its outrigger canoe program in cooperation with Sail Sand Point. Programs are held in the Fall and Winter.

This program will be on Saturdays at 8:00am and begin in October; register early as space is limited! Contact Monica in the Team Survivor Northwest office at (206)732-8350 or pm@teamsurvivornw.org
The Outrigger Canoe:
The history of outrigger canoeing originates with a voyaging canoe that once connected oceanic populations through transport. Outrigger canoe paddling was critical to the survival and transmigration of cultures. Today outrigger canoes connect people and cultures as a recreational activity and competitive sport. Paddlers will come to understand the unique quality of the sport that maintains a strong cultural identity and community spirit.

Contemporary outrigger canoes are approximately 40 feet long, about 1 foot 4 inches wide at either end and up to two foot wide in the middle. Seating up to six crewmembers, the canoe is made of fiberglass and weighs around 40 pounds. The stabilizing framework consists of two spreader bars called Iakos that are attached to the canoe hull by means of traditional lashing techniques using cordage. The two Iakos then attach at the outer end to a float called an Ama.

Program Description:
At the beginning of the season, you'll try different seats in the canoe so you have an understanding of how different each position can be. This gives you empathy for the person responsible for that position and also allows you to find the place in the canoe where you feel most comfortable. You'll also get the chance to paddle in different canoes with different people. Mix it up and have fun! And remember, winter paddling is more about the experience of paddling than training for any particular race or event.

Within each workout we will pay attention to form and details. Many of you are comfortable paddling from having participated in outrigger in the past or have paddled Dragon Boat. If you are new, no worries! You will have plenty of people to learn from. Also, don't worry about your fitness levels at the beginning of the season. Just paddle at a level you are comfortable with. You will eventually adapt and be able to put more into each practice.

Some notes on canoe etiquette: no one coaches but your coaches (and sometimes the steersperson). Coaches pay attention to paddlers the best they can, and they're pretty good at seeing what's going on. If you think someone is struggling with timing, or their stroke is a little off and you think they could use some help, please tell your coach and they can take a look. Please try to avoid telling other crewmembers how to paddle. There's no doubt about it - everyone will be doing there very best!

We encourage you to visit the Sail Sandpoint website at www.sailsandpoint.org to learn more about outrigger canoeing and Team Survivor outrigger program. Go to the outrigger heading and then click on the Team Survivor Northwest link on the side of the page.

Schedule

This class was last taught October 04, 2008 to October 04, 2008

• Sat 8:00a.m.-9:00a.m.

Pricing Details

No cost listed. Contact the instructor for prices and rates.

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