Outrigger History

Outrigger Canoeing History

The Outrigger Canoe had its origins over 3,000 years ago as the principal form of transport for the people of Oceania, Polynesia, and numerous other Island cultures.  Traditional outrigger canoes were carved from a single tree-trunk.

The first outrigger canoe seen in Australia by a European was the 3rd day of June 1770 by Lieutenant James Cook as he sailed the “Endeavour” through the Whitsunday Passage on his voyage of discovery.  He noted in his log;

“On one of the islands, we discovered with our glasses,
two men and a women and a canoe with an outrigger”
(Hamilton Cup website 2002)

Today, outrigger canoeing continues as an important cultural activity, while providing competitive and recreational opportunities to sport/outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

Outrigging Traditions / Protocol

The canoe is part of the team, treat it and all team members with respect. You depend on them.

Don't step over the body of the canoe. Always enter and exit the canoe from the left (ama) side.

Only sit in a canoe in the water.

The steersperson is always in command of the canoe.

Common Outrigger Terms

wa'a - canoe

ama - outrigger float

iako - outrigger spars

hoe - a paddle or to paddle

huli - capsize the canoe

paddles set/reach out/ready - a call to lift paddles to the set position, ready to start paddling.

Ho'omakaukau - paddles set.

hit/go/paddle/ho - start paddling

hut - a call to change paddling sides. After a hut one more complete stroke is performed and all paddlers change their paddling side.

paddles up/let her run - a call to stop paddling. Paddles up may also be used by some steerers as a paddles set call.

timing - a call for all paddlers to focus on the timing of their stroke to ensure it follows the seat in front.

J/Draw - a draw stroke by seat 1 or 2 to pull the canoe left or right.

uni - a turning call to seat one to poke their paddle on the right to turn the canoe left.

kahe - a turning call for a J/Draw stroke.

clear - a call usually by seat 1 to the steerer indicating the front of the canoe is clear and it is safe to go left/right.

block - a call usually by seat 1 to the steerer indicating the front of the canoe is not clear.

back paddle - a call to paddle backward to reverse the canoe.