Pacific Paddler February 2015 - (Page 30)

CANADIAN OUTRIGGER RACING Outrigger paddling in Canada has grown and changed over the past two decades. From a handful of crews in the west to about 40 clubs, including First Nations and university-based groups, located from ports on the Pacific to the Great Lakes and cities along rivers and lakes in landlocked provinces like Alberta and Ontario. Dragon boaters, flatwater kayakers, rowers and marathon canoeists use the craft to train, with many crossing over to race outrigger competitively. Canadian crews have increasingly represented in legendary change and iron races in Hawaii and other international venues like Cook Islands and Australia with some excellent results. The first ever World Sprints in Canada were held in Calgary in 2012, which generated a sprint series. Great growth has taken place in clinics and races for small boats, particularly those involving running downwind. As in the greater outrigger world, Canada's dynasties are waxing and waning. In the 2014 CORA Cup OC6 iron race series, Fairway Gorge of Victoria on Vancouver Island, took the open and senior master women and men's honours, wrestling dominance from False Creek of Vancouver. Legendary FCRCC still came out on top for most points per club, fielding crews in almost all divisions. More age categories are filling in, but to come to full maturity our ohana requires reproduction at the junior level. Victoria's Youth Paddling Club is the new kid on the block, joining the efforts of the successful junior programs of Lotus and Penticton clubs. A Comox club member just bought a new Pegasus for his 12-year-old daughter, already with two years of SUP racing under her tiny belt. The last race of 2014, Fairway Gorge's WetDashe, a "Movember" charity race for mixed crews, points to this maturity and directions of the sport. This year's race raised more money 30 PACIFIC PADDLER than ever, over $6,000.00 for men's health. The seasoned crew from Comox won the long distance, 24 km total with eight loops of a 3 km course. Taking the shorter distance event of 12 km by storm was a novice team of fitness trainers from the FEBRUARY 2015 gym at Fairway Gorge - most had never paddled in their lives. The WetDashe showcases the creativity of Canadian outrigger and "cold water ohana." The dock changes multiply the number of people racing

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler February 2015

Kanaka Ikaika
One of the best events in the Cook Islands
Vaka Eiva Challenge
Ikaika's Kids In Training
Cold Pack Classic
Canadian Outrigger Racing
Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association
Keola O Ke Kai
Prevent Neck Injuries
Facebook Friends' Pics

Pacific Paddler February 2015