The Kanu's

The Boats

The modern race version of the craft is construction of
fibreglass and timber.  The Boats weigh 160kg and
measure over 45 feet long.  The most obvious characteristic is the ama (the outrigger pontoon), which provides a high degree of stability without imposing significant drag.   

Outriggers excel at long distance open-ocean paddling due to their ability to ride on large open swells.  More recently, the traditional six-person boat (OC-6) has been joined by the single and double person versions (OC-1 and OC-2).

Outrigger Canoe Racing

Racing consists of sprint and marathon races, both in six person canoes (OC-6) and solo canoes (OC-1).  Sprints are held over 250m – 2000m courses.  Marathon racing is broken into short course events for novice paddlers 6-10Km’s in distance for the more experienced usually over 15 – 40 km in the open ocean. 

Outrigger canoe racing is a relatively new competitive sport.  Probably the first step to it becoming an organised sport was the formation of the Outrigger Canoe Club of Hawaii in 1908.