Check out our new reduced shipping rates and faster deliveries

Menu
KIALOA
0
  • Shop
    • Dragon Boat
      • Dragon Boat
    • Outrigger
      • Hybrid Paddles
      • Composite Paddles
      • Steering Paddles
      • Paddle Bags & Covers
      • Learn More About Outrigger
    • Stand Up Paddle
      • All Water Paddles
      • Race Paddles
      • Surf Paddles
      • Women's Paddles
      • Whitewater Paddles
    • Closeouts
      • Featured Brands
    • About
    • Talk Story
    • Info
    • Dealer Locator
    • 1-360-793-0140
    • Login

    Check out our new reduced shipping rates and faster deliveries

    • 1-360-793-0140
    0

    Your Cart is Empty

    Continue Shopping

      • $0.00 Subtotal
      • Please allow up to 5 days for us to ship certain paddle models. Call 360-793-0140 for more information. International customers: The receiver is responsible for all costs associated with tariffs, duties, and brokerage fees.

      • Login
      • Shop
        • Dragon Boat
          • Dragon Boat
        • Outrigger
          • Hybrid Paddles
          • Composite Paddles
          • Steering Paddles
          • Paddle Bags & Covers
          • Learn More About Outrigger
        • Stand Up Paddle
          • All Water Paddles
          • Race Paddles
          • Surf Paddles
          • Women's Paddles
          • Whitewater Paddles
        • Closeouts
          • Featured Brands
        • About
        KIALOA KIALOA
        • Talk Story
        • Info
        • Dealer Locator
        • Dragon Boat
        • Dragon Boat
        • Outrigger
        • Hybrid Paddles
        • Composite Paddles
        • Steering Paddles
        • Paddle Bags & Covers
        • Learn More About Outrigger
        • Stand Up Paddle
        • All Water Paddles
        • Race Paddles
        • Surf Paddles
        • Women's Paddles
        • Whitewater Paddles
        • Closeouts
          • Featured Brands
          • PADDLES
          • Outrigger
          • SUP
          • Dragon Boat
          • Closeout & Sale Items
          • GEAR
          • Paddle Bags / Covers
          • Life Jackets (PFDs)
          • Replacement Parts
          • Accessories
          • APPAREL
          • KIALOA T-Shirts & Hoodies
          • Hats
          • Vaikobi
          • CLOSEOUTS/BLEMS
            • GIFT CARDS
              • COLLECTIONS
              • New Outrigger Paddle- Leahi
              • New Graphic-Kaimana Hila Gold
              • Best Sellers
              • Vaikobi
              • PADDLES
                • Outrigger
                • SUP
                • Dragon Boat
                • Closeout & Sale Items
              • GEAR
                • Paddle Bags / Covers
                • Life Jackets (PFDs)
                • Replacement Parts
                • Accessories
              • APPAREL
                • KIALOA T-Shirts & Hoodies
                • Hats
                • Vaikobi
              • CLOSEOUTS/BLEMS
                • GIFT CARDS
                  • COLLECTIONS
                    • New Outrigger Paddle- Leahi
                    • New Graphic-Kaimana Hila Gold
                    • Best Sellers
                    • Vaikobi
                  • STORIES & EVENTS
                  • News
                  • Travel & Adventure
                  • Events
                  • Environmental
                  • Ambassadors
                  • Hawaii
                  • Keiki
                  • Wahine
                  • DESIGN & INNOVATION
                  • In the Shop with Dave
                  • Products
                  • Inspiration
                  • TRAINING & TECHNIQUE
                  • Health & Nutrition
                  • Cross Training
                  • Outrigger
                  • SUP
                  • Dragon
                  • Surf
                  • Canoe & Kayak
                  • Surfski
                  • Safety

                  Talkstory with the Fotis

                  • STORIES & EVENTS
                    • News
                    • Travel & Adventure
                    • Events
                    • Environmental
                    • Ambassadors
                    • Hawaii
                    • Keiki
                    • Wahine
                  • DESIGN & INNOVATION
                    • In the Shop with Dave
                    • Products
                    • Inspiration
                  • TRAINING & TECHNIQUE
                    • Health & Nutrition
                    • Cross Training
                    • Outrigger
                    • SUP
                    • Dragon
                    • Surf
                    • Canoe & Kayak
                    • Surfski
                    • Safety
                  • Talkstory with the Fotis

                  • ABOUT US

                    • OUTRIGGER & DRAGON BOAT CLUBS

                      • ABOUT US
                        • OUTRIGGER & DRAGON BOAT CLUBS
                          • CUSTOMER SERVICE
                          • Contact Us
                          • Warranty & Repair
                          • Returns & Exchanges
                          • FAQs
                          • Find a Dealer
                          • Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
                          • Pro Sales
                          • PRODUCT INFO
                          • How to Choose Outrigger
                          • How to Assemble the Leahi
                          • How to Choose Dragon
                          • How to Choose SUP
                          • How to videos
                          • How to Care For Your KIALOA Paddle

                          Student Award

                          • CUSTOMER SERVICE
                            • Contact Us
                            • Warranty & Repair
                            • Returns & Exchanges
                            • FAQs
                            • Find a Dealer
                            • Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
                            • Pro Sales
                          • PRODUCT INFO
                            • How to Choose Outrigger
                            • How to Assemble the Leahi
                            • How to Choose Dragon
                            • How to Choose SUP
                            • How to videos
                            • How to Care For Your KIALOA Paddle
                          • Student Award

                          How to choose a stand up paddle

                          |||  The History and Culture of Outrigger Paddling|||

                           

                          The History and Culture of Outrigger Paddling

                          Most outrigger racing can trace its roots to the Polynesian cultures of Tahiti and Hawaii. Traditionally outrigger canoe racing took place in a canoe with six paddlers (OC-6 or six man canoes). For the most part racing in the United States is an outgrowth of Hawaii’s open ocean racing scene, with the major events being focused on the open ocean island crossing between Moloka'i and Oahu. These races include the men’s Molokai Hoe and the women’s Na Wahine O Ke Kai.  

                          If racing a canoe across one of the world’s most turbulent channels is too intimidating, there are many other entry level races where you can gain experience. Joining a local outrigger club is a great place to begin learning and practicing the sport of outrigger paddling. Clubs welcome new paddlers and provide structured coaching for those new to the sport. Canoe clubs are the foundation of outrigger paddling and provide not only instruction in the basic techniques used in paddling, but extend a feeling of family or “ohana”, for which Hawaiians are famous.

                          One Man, Two Man, and Rudderless Va'a Outrigger Paddling in the U.S.

                           

                          In the early 1990’s kayak builder John Martin of Hawaiian Designs looked at the rudderless Tahitian flat water canoes (va'a) that had been imported to Hawaii and decided to build a rough water OC-1, or one man outrigger canoe. The Hawaiian outrigger scene was changed forever. Designed to surf the prevailing northeast swells between the islands of Moloka'i and Oahu, the solo canoes were not only fast, but user friendly for first time paddlers. In recent years, the va'a, or rudderless canoe has become more popular with the influence of Tahitian paddlers.  Adding further excitement to the sport, canoe builders are now designing and building "Unlimited Canoes", 6 person carbon fiber racing canoes that are much lighter than the traditional 400 pound fiberglass or KOA canoes.  

                          Beyond the scope of individual or pair racing, the solo, or OC-1 canoe has become an essential training tool for any paddler serious about OC-6 racing. The OC-1 is the optimum tool for learning to paddle efficiently and is an effective tool for quantifying an individual paddler’s performance when making team canoe selections. Additionally, most outrigger associations have a race series specifically for these canoes.There are many excellent OC-1s on the market today, with most of them being manufactured in Hawaii, California or overseas.  OC-1s are light, sleek fun canoes, typically made out of carbon fiber or fiberglass. 

                          Recreational Outrigger Paddling

                           

                          Outrigger paddling is a popular form of fitness training. Benefits include a great upper body workout, as well as cardiovascular endurance. Paddling tends to be “easy” on the body, free from the impact associated with other endurance sports. The use of one man and two man canoes for recreation and surfing is also very common. Many clubs also offer paddlers the opportunity to paddle on a recreational level without the commitment to train for competition.

                          Finding an Outrigger Club Near You

                           

                          If you are lucky enough to be a paddler in the state of Hawaii, finding a club should be as easy as asking a friend or walking to the beach. Since the sport of Outrigger is truly designed for open ocean paddling there are many clubs along the coastlines of the continental US as well. California, the Northwest and Canada have very strong outrigger communities.  Many outrigger clubs have even sprung up around large lakes and rivers.  The Columbia Gorge offers a very unique paddling experience, combining the excitement of wind, waves and current.  You will also find clubs in Minnesota, Arizona, Texas and in many states on the East Coast.  

                          Here are a few associations around the country that will help you find an outrigger club near you.

                           

                          OHCRA Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association is probably the largest outrigger association and governs many of the rules and regulations for racing in the sport
                          PNW ORCA Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association includes clubs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana
                          NCOCANorthern California Outrigger Canoe Association
                          SCORA Southern Clifornia Outrigger Racing Association
                          ECORA East Coast Outriggier Racing Association includes clubs in Ontario, Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, Florida
                          TOCC Texas Outrigger Racing Association
                          CORA Canadian Outrigger Canoe Association includes clubs in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton, Kelowna, Calgary and more.

                          Info

                          Address
                          3300 McMinnville Hwy
                          Sparta TN 38583

                          Find a Store: Dealer Locator

                          Contact

                          Hours: 7am-3:30pm PST

                          Phone: 360.793.0140
                          931.738.6439

                          Email: customerservice@kialoa.com 

                          Newsletter

                          Sign up for the KIALOA newsletter.

                          Careers

                          Apply Here

                          © 2025 KIALOA. Created by Ikaika Creative Agency.