Outrigger History
Outrigger Canoeing in Fiji
Outrigger canoeing is a fun and energising sport and lifestyle! It fits perfectly into our island culture and offers an outdoor activity which develops strong bodies and minds. This is because it is a sport which is physically and mentally demanding. Outrigger canoeing requires a great deal of personal and team commitment and attracts people who possess these qualities coupled with a love for the ocean and its environment.
The modern day sport of Outrigger Canoe racing was founded in Fiji in the early 80’s by former Air Pacific pilot, George Marlow who fell in love with the sport on his frequent flights to Tahiti. He and Tony Philp Senior built the first “Takia” outrigger canoe in a garage in Lami.
The first paddlers to venture out in this canoe were George, Tony, Tiko Eastgate, Walton Morgan, Edward Bower and Colin Philp. These paddlers later became the founding members of the Fiji Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, now known as Fiji Outrigger.
The sport offers an easy learning curve which allows people from all walks of life, gender and age, the opportunity to participate in a safe and exciting team oriented water sport. Solo outrigger canoeing further adds to the attraction by offering a means to compete and train on an individual basis without the restrictions of meeting fixed training times and days.
The Outrigger Canoe
The most significant artifact in the history of the Pacific is the outrigger canoe. Micronesians, Melanesians and Polynesians were craftsmen of a stone-age culture who successfully carried out what is considered a monumental human achievement in the migration and settlement over an awesome expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
The outrigger “ama” (float) is the essential design modification which sets outrigger canoes apart from all others. It evolved through thousands of years of experimentation and it is the most efficient way to stabilize a dug out canoe. Traditionally, the ama has always been fitted onto the left side of the canoe and this remains the same for paddling today.
The Hawaiian outrigger canoe is one of hundreds of outrigger types across the region of Oceania, encompassing Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The ama is attached to the canoe hull by way of two ‘iako’s’ (canoe spreader bars).
Fiji’s own canoe is made primarily of fiberglass and is based on a design by Hawaiian historian and canoe guru, Herb Kane. He based his design on the research carried out on traditional Fijian canoes.
Many traditional skills are associated with the practicing of both the rigging and paddling of outrigger canoes. In relation to rigging, skill and knowledge of lashing techniques and the trim of the ama and iako in relation to the canoe are skills which can take many years of experience to develop. It is this adherence to tradition which makes outrigger canoe racing and paddling unique in a world where many traditions and cultural recognitions have been done away with. As a result of this the sport attracts people seeking not only an outdoor ocean orientated sport, but one which offers deeper cultural and spiritual significance.
History of Outrigger Canoe Racing
Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania's use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles. These people journeyed in double hulled voyaging canoes which still exist today.
Canoe racing became an important part of island life, as much pride and prestige was placed on victory. During the European occupation of many of the islands, specifically in Hawaii in 1820, canoe racing was effectively banned and paddles were replaced with bibles. Later in 1876 King David Kalakaua reinstated the sport. By 1908 the first two outrigger canoe clubs were founded; Outrigger Canoe Club and Hui Nalu.
Hawaii became the birthplace of contemporary outrigger canoe racing, with a governing body being established in 1950 the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. The sport has since spread far and wide to Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, France, England, Italy, South Africa, Guam, Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji and is expanding all the time. There are an estimated 35,000 outrigger canoe paddlers worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing huge growth.
Outrigger canoeing is a fun and energising sport and lifestyle! It fits perfectly into our island culture and offers an outdoor activity which develops strong bodies and minds. This is because it is a sport which is physically and mentally demanding. Outrigger canoeing requires a great deal of personal and team commitment and attracts people who possess these qualities coupled with a love for the ocean and its environment.
The modern day sport of Outrigger Canoe racing was founded in Fiji in the early 80’s by former Air Pacific pilot, George Marlow who fell in love with the sport on his frequent flights to Tahiti. He and Tony Philp Senior built the first “Takia” outrigger canoe in a garage in Lami.
The first paddlers to venture out in this canoe were George, Tony, Tiko Eastgate, Walton Morgan, Edward Bower and Colin Philp. These paddlers later became the founding members of the Fiji Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, now known as Fiji Outrigger.
The sport offers an easy learning curve which allows people from all walks of life, gender and age, the opportunity to participate in a safe and exciting team oriented water sport. Solo outrigger canoeing further adds to the attraction by offering a means to compete and train on an individual basis without the restrictions of meeting fixed training times and days.
The Outrigger Canoe
The most significant artifact in the history of the Pacific is the outrigger canoe. Micronesians, Melanesians and Polynesians were craftsmen of a stone-age culture who successfully carried out what is considered a monumental human achievement in the migration and settlement over an awesome expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
The outrigger “ama” (float) is the essential design modification which sets outrigger canoes apart from all others. It evolved through thousands of years of experimentation and it is the most efficient way to stabilize a dug out canoe. Traditionally, the ama has always been fitted onto the left side of the canoe and this remains the same for paddling today.
The Hawaiian outrigger canoe is one of hundreds of outrigger types across the region of Oceania, encompassing Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The ama is attached to the canoe hull by way of two ‘iako’s’ (canoe spreader bars).
Fiji’s own canoe is made primarily of fiberglass and is based on a design by Hawaiian historian and canoe guru, Herb Kane. He based his design on the research carried out on traditional Fijian canoes.
Many traditional skills are associated with the practicing of both the rigging and paddling of outrigger canoes. In relation to rigging, skill and knowledge of lashing techniques and the trim of the ama and iako in relation to the canoe are skills which can take many years of experience to develop. It is this adherence to tradition which makes outrigger canoe racing and paddling unique in a world where many traditions and cultural recognitions have been done away with. As a result of this the sport attracts people seeking not only an outdoor ocean orientated sport, but one which offers deeper cultural and spiritual significance.
History of Outrigger Canoe Racing
Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania's use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles. These people journeyed in double hulled voyaging canoes which still exist today.
Canoe racing became an important part of island life, as much pride and prestige was placed on victory. During the European occupation of many of the islands, specifically in Hawaii in 1820, canoe racing was effectively banned and paddles were replaced with bibles. Later in 1876 King David Kalakaua reinstated the sport. By 1908 the first two outrigger canoe clubs were founded; Outrigger Canoe Club and Hui Nalu.
Hawaii became the birthplace of contemporary outrigger canoe racing, with a governing body being established in 1950 the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. The sport has since spread far and wide to Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, France, England, Italy, South Africa, Guam, Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji and is expanding all the time. There are an estimated 35,000 outrigger canoe paddlers worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing huge growth.