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Original Painting by Waakane
No
actual evidence of how the development of the outrigger concept exists. What we
know seems based on the pretext that the most logical and therefore less
intellectually challenging solutions manifested first, followed later by the
more advanced concepts.
The log formed the basis of the earliest water craft. With the development of
tools, notably the adze (a timber shafted tool with axe like head fashioned from
clam shell or sharpened rock) logs were subsequently dug-out. Some cultures,
such as the American Northwest Indians, combined this with the use of fire to
hollow the log out.
Earliest evidence of this maritime development can be traced back to Papua New
Guinea, however within Africa this practice was also widely practiced amongst
ocean and river peoples. Hollowed out, the log thus became a canoe which
provided protection from the elements and provision for storage. However it had
limited stability in rough and choppy waters and a series of experiments were
initiated to improve this.
It is assumed that the lashing of two canoes together, using separate timber
crossbeams would have been the initial method adopted to create a raft like
construction or double hulled canoe, which went on to be pioneered and reach a
zenith in the hands of the Polynesians and their voyaging canoes.
The conception of an outrigger as a means of increasing stability is an advanced
maritime architectural concept and it is supposed that the creation of the
double outrigger canoe (an outrigger attachment rigged out on both sides of a
single canoe) was the next stage in this development.
Because of its advanced concept, the last of the methodologies used it is
concluded, was the development of the single outrigger, the popular paddle craft
used extensively for outrigger canoe racing today.
Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Contemporary outrigger canoe paddling has its origins in the Hawaiian Islands,
though there is evidence that it existed in other parts of Polynesia, including
Samoa and French Polynesia.
All that we know about outrigger canoe racing stems from the Hawaiian
Islands. However records taken by early European explores confirm that canoe
racing was indeed practiced in island regions of the Pacific where the canoe was
used as the principal mode of transportation. Outrigger canoe racing in Tonga
for example was very popular even during the 1830's.
Whilst it was also practiced in Tahiti it was not undertaken with any great
regularity. During the 1880's with the founding of the July 14th Bastille
celebrations, canoe racing became a regular event, but it was the only time at
which racing was practiced. It was not until after 1976 that outrigger canoe
racing began to become a regular year round sport. However, the Tahitians have
made up for lost time, being now considered the people to beat, refining the
sport to a fine art, absorbing it into their culture with great enthusiasm.
For the ancient Hawaiians, the outrigger canoe was a natural extension of their
everyday life and so to it was for their recreation. Whether canoe surfing or
racing, the canoe was used in play to hone the skills of the paddlers and
steersman as a means of ensuring survival on the ocean. Beyond this, canoe
racing itself formed the basis of entertainment for the general population. Much
pride was gained in a canoe race victory, for the village and the chief.
Gambling added spice to the event, putting at stake land and possessions.
Unfortunately for the playful Hawaiians, the sport was outlawed soon after 1820
by an act of divine intervention with the arrival of the Boston Missionaries.
Racing Origins
Outrigger Racing
The native Hawaiian
spirit was immersed in an ocean way of life and a sense of playfulness. The
ocean was their lifeblood and playground and their physical needs were being
denied what came so naturally to them by the imposition established by the
missionaries. This denied their true identity as Polynesians.
In 1875 when King David Kalakaua a great lover of water sports came to reign, he
instigated the rebirth of canoe paddle and sailing races, surfing and Hawaiian
song and dance. The Hawaiians needed little encouragement and in 1908 the first
formal outrigger canoe club was founded, the Outrigger Canoe Club of Hawaii by a
small group of Haole (European) businessman followed by the Hui Nalu (Surfing
Club), formerly chartered by a group of Hawaiian surfers to promote surfing and
swimming. By 1910 these two clubs began pitting their canoe crews against one
another and so canoe racing was reborn.
Racing Origins
Outrigger canoe racing
though taken seriously was still very much randomly practiced and it was not
until 1922 that the first fully fledged regatta was staged. Not until 1940 was
it decided that outrigger canoe racing needed to have formalized rules and
regulations to avoid some of the disagreements which began to arise as the sport
took on greater status and importance. In 1950 the Hawaiian Canoe Racing and
Surfing Association was founded later changing its name to the Hawaiian Canoe
Racing Association (HCRA) to govern and set rulings for organized outrigger
canoe racing throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Today, there
are now over 60 clubs and 10,000 active outrigger paddlers throughout the
Hawaiian Islands. The sport is recognized as the Island's most popular sport,
however their is some discontent among members at the lack of support that it is
given through government funding. The sport is an intrinsic part of Hawaiian
culture though of course many of European origin, participate in a sport which
for many is a lifestyle and a lifetime dedication.
Outrigger canoe racing
has now spread from its contemporary origins in Hawaii, to all parts of the
Pacific, throughout Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia. Participating countries
and regions include;
Australia,
American Samoa,
California,
Canada, Cook Islands,
Easter Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, (
Maui,
Oahu) Hong Kong,
Marianas Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand,
Oregon,
Tahiti,
Tonga, Wallis Futuna,
Washington State,
Western Samoa and beyond this to South Africa, Britain, France and Italy with
teams and individuals now paddling in international races from Hungary, Austria
and Sweden.
In addition to this, several native American Indian groups participate,
including the Stahlo Nation and a group under the banner of the Native
Participation Committee in Canada. Outrigger canoe racing is rapidly expanding
to become a truly global sport.
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