Introduction to Outrigger Paddling
Six people raise their paddles together, reaching their bottom arms forward with their top arm straight and strong. On the steersperson’s call, six paddles break the ocean’s surface, burying their blades deep into the water and springing the canoe into motion. Stroke after stroke, they settle into a waltz rhythm and pull their boat across the sea. Whether paddling leisurely into the sunset or hammering down the final stretch of a race, six paddlers move as one unit to propel the canoe forward. From smoothly sailing across Lake Union’s calm waters to reaching for the ocean as the canoe climbs over towering waves in the Kaiwi Channel, this is outrigger canoe paddling.
With ancient origins and thousands of paddlers around the world today, outrigger canoe paddling is a sport with deep history and strong culture. Whether you are a seasoned paddler or would like to get in an outrigger canoe for the first time, here is an introduction to this sport and a few reasons we are passionate about it.
A Brief History of Outrigger Canoe Paddling
The first records of canoes with outriggers or “ama” have been found in Southeast Asia. These canoes were a means of transportation for early citizens of Austronesian countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. From fishing and transportation to long journeys across the Pacific in search of new land, outrigger canoes were a means of livelihood for these communities.
Long before Captain Cook landed on Hawaii’s shores, ancient Polynesians were traversing the Pacific Ocean in voyaging canoes not so different than the ones we paddle today. Experts estimate these types of boats in Hawaii dating back to 200 A.D. These large voyaging canoes were built to hold dozens of people and strong enough to withstand the currents of the open ocean. With nothing but the waves, winds, and stars to direct them, expert navigators used canoes to explore the Pacific.
Over time, long-distance voyaging started to decline in Polynesia. Instead, the ancient Hawaiians crafted smaller canoes for fishing, coastal, and inter-island travel. These types of canoes used for these shorter journeys are the predecessors of the outrigger canoes we see today.
At the onset of the 19th century, missionaries took up residence in Hawaii and European influence swept through the islands. Like surfing, hula, and speaking Hawaiian language, outrigger canoe paddling was a piece of Hawaiian culture that dwindled when European settlers came to Hawaii.
Though missionaries placed taboos on many aspects of Hawaiian culture, the native people were able to keep their traditions going- even through American colonization of the island chain. In the mid-1900s, Hawaiian culture went through a renaissance, bringing ancient canoe navigation techniques, a celebration of hula through the Merrie Monarch Festival, and other aspects of the culture into modern times.
Though no longer a primary means of transportation, outrigger canoe paddling is still a popular sport and strong tradition today. Paddling remains a cornerstone of Polynesian culture with dozens of canoe clubs in Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and beyond. Outrigger canoe paddling is not only popular in Polynesia, but is practiced around the world; with canoe clubs across the U.S. mainland, in Japan, Dubai, and elsewhere, this sport shares Hawaiian and Polynesian culture on a global scale.
Outrigger Canoe Paddling Basics
Because outrigger canoe paddling is a sport with a deep culture and rich tradition, there are a few things to know before getting started. If you are unfamiliar with the sport, here is a quick breakdown of the basics.
Anatomy of a Wa’a: The Outrigger Canoe
Called “wa’a” (pronounced Va-a) in the Hawaiian language, outrigger canoes get their English name from their outrigger or “ama” as they are called in most Polynesian cultures. The body of the canoe is long and narrow, with a rounded point at the front and back of the canoe. Outrigger canoes can be for one, two, three, four, or six people, respectively called OC1, OC2 and so on for however many seats the canoe has. Many canoe clubs use Hawaiian words to describe various parts of the canoe. A few terms to know include:
Ama: The outrigger that keeps the canoe afloat
‘Akea: An outrigger canoe’s hull
‘Iako: The plank that connects the ama to the canoe
Manu: The front most part of the canoe
Wa’a kaukahi: Single-hulled canoe
Wa’a kaulua: Double-hulled canoe
Six Seats, One Team
Like a soccer team has forwards and a goalie, each paddler has their own role in the canoe. While many outrigger canoe clubs teach their paddlers to sit in any seat, many paddlers will favor one seat in the canoe. A brief overview of each paddler’s role includes:
Seat One/Stroker: A stroker’s job is to set the pace for the rest of the canoe.
Seat Two: Paddlers in seat two must have excellent timing. As the first paddler on the opposite side of the canoe from the stroker, this paddler backs up seat one in setting the canoe’s pace.
Seat Three: Seat three is one of the power seats in the canoe, and typically calls. changes (though sometimes set two or four will call changes depending on the club).
Seat Four: Seat four is also a power seat that drives the boat forward.
Seat Five: Another strong paddler, seat five is the final power seat in the canoe’s engine. This paddler is also typically at the ready to back up the steersman if needed.
Seat Six/Steersperson: Seat six steers the boat and calls the shots in outrigger canoe paddling. This person’s job is to keep the canoe on course and keep the crew paddling together.
Outrigger Canoe Racing In The Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Association (PNWORCA) is the organization that brings together canoe clubs in our region. Dedicated to perpetuating outrigger canoe racing in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, PNWORCA brings paddlers from this area together to build community and share Hawaiian culture through canoe paddling and racing.
Established in 1996, SOCC is one of nine PNWORCA clubs in Washington. Whether you are an experienced paddler or new to the sport, our club welcomes you to join our crew or do a trial membership at any point during the season. SOCC is made up of men and women of all ages who participate in recreational and competitive paddling. We paddle year-round and compete in sprint and long-distance races throughout the Pacific Northwest during the spring and summer. To learn more about our keiki (child) or adult programs, our canoes, or to join a practice, contact us today. We hope to see you on the water!
Our Outrigger Canoes
At Seattle Outrigger, we treat our outrigger canoes like a member of the family. Today, there is a great cost associated with sourcing and maintaining a canoe. Historically, the process of making a canoe was intricate, lengthy, and very arduous. So these beautiful wa’a are our pride and joy. We treat them with the utmost respect.
Our current canoes
SOCC currently has three OC-6 canoes:
Our newest canoe is an ultralight Malolo racing canoe made by Puakea Designs. It is named “Mālana,” which loosely translated, describes her characteristics: “light in weight, an important hoku (star) in navigation, sought after characteristic of a wa’a – planing”
“Ke Kōlea” is our unlimited wa’a, and is named for the golden plover. This migratory bird spends time in both Hawai’i and Alaska. These champions of distance are comfortable in warm and cold climates, just our canoe. It is a Bradley Lightning that was made by Ryan Pogue in Canada.
Our oldest canoe is a Bradley Striker and is named “Alohinalu”. Translated, her name means, “sparkling wave.” The canoe is in great shape, serves as our main “spec” regatta wa’a, and will be a member of the ‘ohana for many years to come. The folks at Bradley Canoes sure know how to build them!
Our extended canoe family
These canoes are no longer with us and yet they are still paddled by other clubs in the Northwest!
One of our first canoes is an older model Bradley named “Elua Kekoa”. It currently resides in Bellingham, WA, and belongs to Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddler (BBOP).
Our second oldest canoe is a Force Five named “Po’anuenue”. She is a terrific wave canoe, and was a favorite canoe to race the Gorge, as she seems to ride those swells better than any other. The “Dark Rainbow” is currently owned by Columbia River Outrigger Canoe Club (CROCC) in Portland, OR.
OC-1 and OC-2:
We have an Huki “V2” OC-2 canoe and an Arrow OC-1 available for club use at the beach. Our experienced paddlers can take these small canoes out when they have performed a huli drill and paid an extra fee. During the fall and winter, OC-1 and OC-2 paddlers are required to wear a life vest and in the summer they need to bring one along on the canoe to satisfy Coast Guard rules.
If you’d like to learn more about outrigger canoe paddling, you can read about the sport on our site, you can drop by to visit us during practice, or you can contact us with any questions. We have a membership base that paddles year round and during the summer months, we have a fun keiki program that teaches the PNW youth about teamwork, paddling, and the Hawaiian Culture.
Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club Membership
Outrigger Canoe Paddling is a way of life. It interweaves its way into your life and provides a way to keep you mentally healthy and in shape physically. Our modern lifestyles can get busy, so participating in a physically challenging, mentally stimulating, and spiritually uplifting sport can do wonders for your body and soul. Consider a Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club membership your ticket to a healthy lifestyle and your connection to Hawaii right here in Seattle!
New paddlers are always welcome! Simply reach out to info@seattleoutrigger.com to learn more.
Practices Times
The workouts run for 2 to 2.5 hours and occasionally longer on some Saturday mornings for competition crews.
All Year Round
Monday: practice begins at 5:45 pm
Wednesday: practice begins at 5:45 pm
Saturday: practice begins at 8:45 am. Note that cancellations may occur based on Be aware that on race Saturdays, there may not be a practice.
Spring and Summers “Novice Thursdays“
Thursday: 5:45 pm. New and novice paddlers are always welcome to SOCC. As our schedule and resources permit, we will host a regular Novice Thursday practice. Dates and availability may vary, so please contact us at info@seattleoutrigger.com! We offer an option of a trial period of 4 practices or one month, whichever comes first. After this, we ask that you become a member if you want to continue to practice with us.
Location
We are located at Waterway 18, at 2300 N. Northlake Way, on Seattle’s Lake Union, about 1/4 mile northeast of Gasworks Park.
Racing
Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club welcomes all recreational and competitive paddlers, and those interested in competing will find strong crews. For information on competitive racing with SOCC, see our Competitive Racing page.
Membership Fees for 2024
All dues listed below are based on memberships starting from January through September. Dues are prorated only after the race season is concluded in September and is equal to the fee x the portion of the calendar year remaining. Membership fees help to cover operational expenses of the club including land use of Waterway 18, maintenance on canoes and equipment.
All memberships include the following:
Full access to regular practices held throughout the week.
Access to small boat fleet of club OC1 and OC2s. Safety training and coaches signoff required. *New as of 2024*
Access to SOCC community message board on Slack.
PaddleSport liability insurance
Members Dues (2024)
Standard Membership – $325
Family Membership – $275 per person in family of 2 or more members (family = any 2+ people living together in the same household)
Student Membership – $150 – Must qualify as a full-time student
Keiki/Na Opio (Youth Under 18) Membership – $25
Winter-only Membership – $25 per month from October through February
Need financial support or a special consideration? Just ask a coach or a board member! We at SOCC do not want money to be a deterrent for anyone who wants to go paddling. All requests are kept strictly confidential.
Required Membership Documents
Contact info@seattleoutrigger.com for membership handbook and liability waivers. Along with your annual dues completion of these documents
Our paddling season:
The main paddling season starts in mid-March and runs through the summer until the end of October.
In mid-April, the OC-6 summer races start. SOCC sponsors our own race, Da Grind, in late July/early August at Alki Beach. Most long-distance races are between 6 and 12 miles, with a 26-mile change-out race on Lake Washington in late August. The sprint season runs from May through July, with roughly 5 different weekends of sprints (500 to 1500 meters) in the Seattle and Portland areas. More info is available on the PNWORCA website at www.pnworca.org.
Keiki Paddling With Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club
All smiles between sprint races
Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club (SOCC) is home to one of the largest outrigger canoe paddling programs for keiki (Hawaiian for “children”) in the Pacific Northwest. With over 40 members ages 8 to 18, our keiki paddlers learn the fundamentals of paddling through practicing and racing with our club. Through this program, kids have the opportunity to learn a love of the sport and perpetuate Hawaiian culture in the Pacific Northwest.
About Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Outrigger canoe paddling is an ancient practice dating back to 200 A.D. Originating in Southeast Asia and Polynesia, the sport began as a means of livelihood and transportation. Today, from Honolulu to Dubai and everywhere in between, there are hundreds of canoe clubs around the world. SOCC is a part of the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (PNWORCA), which brings together canoe clubs from Northern Oregon to Vancouver, B.C.
Like crew, kayaking, dragon boating, and other paddle sports, outrigger canoe paddling involves teamwork and collaboration on the water. The outrigger, or “ama” as it is called in most Polynesian cultures, sets our canoes apart from other styles of canoes and kayaks. In our keiki program, kids learn to paddle six-person outrigger canoes in the traditional Hawaiian style: they propel the boat forward with a long, deep stroke switching sides of the canoe every ten to twelve strokes.
Keiki Paddling With Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club
A few members of the keiki team
Whether your child is from a family of paddlers or is brand new to the sport, SOCC welcomes keiki and adult paddlers of all ages and experience levels. This sport teaches kids various skills and is a great way to get your children out and about during the warmer months. SOCC keiki paddlers have a ton of fun on the water while also learning:
Teamwork and collaboration with their fellow paddlers
Paddling technique and fitness
Hawaiian culture, words, and other traditions related to canoe paddling
Stewardship for the water and environment
And more!
Our keiki crews practice Mondays from (time to time) at Waterway 18, North Northlake Way, near Gasworks Park. Children are also welcome to participate in our summer sprint races in June and July, where keiki paddlers race in quarter-mile or half-mile races with an adult steersperson.
To learn more about SOCC’s Keiki Paddling Program, contact us at info@seattleoutrigger.com!
Please consider a donation if you’d like to support our keiki program by hitting the button below:
Links
Manufacturers and Retailers
Looking for a new steering blade or a new OC-1? Check out these manufacturers and retailers. We’ve done business with most of these folks in the past and would highly recommend them.
Paddle Manufacturers
Canoe Manufacturers and Retailers
Canoe Clubs
The sport of outrigger canoe paddling continutes to grow. There are currently 16 canoe clubs in the Pacific Northwest alone:
Washington Outrigger Canoe Clubs
Oregon Clubs
Outrigger websites, magazines, and general information
Paddling Organizations
Sponsors
Guests
Aloha! We welcome guests, whether new paddlers (even if you’ve never tried it before!) or folks from out of town.
Come try out the club with no fee or commitment – we’re sure you’ll have a great time and want to come back.
Thursdays during the summer are the best days to join, but contact us if you have more experience and/or a different day we practice would work better for you.
FAQ
I’m a new paddler or interested in the sport – when should I come to practice?
Thursdays at 5:45 are our ‘novice’ practices – please check the calendar and then Contact Us. The sooner, the better!
Is there a fee to come try out the club?
None, other than a positive attitude.
If you’re interested in joining after a session, then we can talk about membership.
Do I need any gear?
In the summer, just a swimsuit, a water bottle, and ideally sandals that work well in water or shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Don’t forget about sun protection and sunglasses!
Where is it?
We meet at Waterway 18, near Gasworks Park.