Outrigger canoeing captivates California

Sunset, June, 1994 by Matthew Jaffe, Lora J. Finnegan

Watch summer races, or join a club

EVERY 20 TO 30 minutes during an outrigger race, three of the six paddlers roll out of the speeding canoe and into the middle of the ocean. Their replacements, having just taken to the water from a chase boat, pull themselves into the moving canoe and resume the race. Good crews can complete this maneuver in 4 seconds. Team members will execute this move several times in a race, and will paddle a total of 3 hours in longer competitions.

"If anyone had told me I would be doing all that, I would have thought they were crazy," says Mitch Mathews, who did in fact participate in just such a race only a few months after getting involved with the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club of Redondo Beach. "I was 36, and 40 pounds overweight. Now I've discovered I was a latent jock," he says.

Mathews is not alone in preaching the outrigger gospel. Imported from Hawaii about 30 years ago, canoe racing has become one of California's fastest-growing sports. Clubs encourage beginners of all ages, men and women, to learn the sport. Or you can just go out and watch a race to see what the outrigger scene is all about.

The outrigger stroke is easy to pick up but more intricate than it looks. While the arms are definitely important, the transfer of power comes from the back and abdomen, says Joshua Crayton, Lanakila's men's coach. Physical exertion is important, but technique and concentration are just as critical when six people are trying to coordinate their efforts to propel one of these 45-foot canoes efficiently for hours at a time.

"This is a leverage sport," says Crayton. "It's not one of those he-man things. Paddlers need quite a bit of finesse and a feel for the water." In the process, you do get a tremendous workout for back and stomach muscles, thanks to a motion that rotates the torso around the waist. Beginners start with 2- to 3-mile races to gain experience; veterans square off occasionally in longer races, some in excess of 20 miles.

WHERE TO WATCH: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

June and July's regatta season offers the best viewing because races take place on closed courses instead of the open ocean. (August and September feature nine-man boat races that cover 15 to 32 ocean miles.) Many events feature Hawaiian-style celebrations with music and food. One sure bet for good viewing and onshore activities is the state championships on July 23 at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara.

In Southern California, outrigger clubs operate from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Certain clubs are more laid-back in approach, while others will likely demand a greater time commitment. For information on different clubs and to find out which races in your area are best for spectators, call Kalifornia Outrigger Association (the KOA acronym is a tribute to the wood used in traditional outrigger construction) at (310) 821-6108. Costs for membership and instruction vary.

WHERE TO WATCH: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

There are 17 outrigger canoe clubs in Northern California. Sites of scheduled races include Lake Natoma/Nimbus Flats, near Sacramento (June 4 and 11, and July 30); Del Monte Beach near the public wharf in Monterey (July 16 and 23); Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton (June 25, July 9); Clear Lake State Park (August 6); San Leandro Marina (August 20); Clarks By The Bay, Port of Redwood City (August 27); and Kings Beach State Recreation Area on Lake Tahoe's north shore (September 3 and 4).

Events generally begin at 8:30 A.M. for opening ceremonies, with races usually getting under way about 9. A regatta can last well into the afternoon depending on the number of competitors. There is no charge to watch the races, but park admission fees apply. For more information, call Ke Anuenue Outrigger Club at (510) 651-9143.