|
13.1 What length are the distance races?
Race lengths differ with age groups. Some countries and
states do not have distance races for junior divisions for
example. Open divisions and beyond have races which start
at about 8-10km upwards. These can go up to 60km as in the
case of Hawaii's Moloka'i to Oahu race and even up to 80km
in the case of one race held in Tahiti, which can take up
to 7 hours or more.
13.2 What are the major internationally recognised distance
races?
These are growing in number around the Pacific. But the
more established distance races include:
AUSTRALIA: The Hamilton Cup in June of each year, established
1983 and held over 4 days combining sprint races for six
and solo canoes, culminating in a 42km marathon race offering
prize money of AD$6000 for the first crews in open and master
divisions, male and female.
CALIFORNIA: The Catalina Island Race held in September,
established 1959 and held over 2 days. Women race 27 miles
from Newport Beach to Avalon on the island of Catalina and
the men race back the following day over 31 miles.
HAWAII: The womens Na
Wahine O Ke Kei, held in September, established
1979, 41 miles, 66kms, starts from Hale O Lono Harbour on
the island of Moloka'i, finishing at Waikiki on Oahu.
HAWAII: The mens Bankoh
Moloka'i Hoe, held in October of each year, established
1952, 41 miles, 66kms, starts from Hale O Lono Harbour on
the island of Moloka'i, finishing at Waikiki on Oahu.
HAWAII: The Queen
Liliuokalani Race, held at the beginning of September
each year. Established 1971. The largest long distance outrigger
canoe race in the world. Held on the Big Island of Hawaii
in the township of Kailua on the Kona Coast. Women paddle
from Kailua to Honaunau Bay to the South, 18 miles away
and the men paddle back on the same day. Following day has
DC12 races (double canoe) and also solo canoe races. Fantastic
cultural experience.
TAHITI: The Hawaki Nui Race, established 1992. One of the
most interesting events on offer. Held over 116km over three
days, held in the leeward islands, northwest of Tahiti.
Canoes leave from Huahine to Raiatea finishing on the final
day on the island of Bora Bora.
13.3 Are there sometimes more than 6
crew members in a distance race?
Yes. In cases where distance races exceed a certain length,a
factor known as changeovers can be implemented. The basis
behind this is that fatigued paddlers are replaced with
fresh paddlers and this requires that their is a change
of paddler. Races of this nature usually allow for crews
of up to 9 per canoe in the case of mens crews and for womens
crews, up to 10.
13.4 How do they change paddlers during the race?
In theory it's simple. A paddler rolls out of the canoe
and a fresh paddler waiting in the water, grabs the canoe
as it passes, pulls themselves in and takes over paddling.
However, it requires many good qualities of strength, timing,
swimming ability and a degree of nerve. Having a 40 foot
canoe weighing over 1,500lbs being aimed pretty much right
at you, requires nerve. You only get one shot at it.
The art is to enter the canoe with as minimum disturbance
to the canoe's momentum as possible and start paddling as
soon as you can.
13.5 So who decides when to replace paddlers?
A coach will generally have this worked out on a change
chart and will be aboard a support vessel calling the shots.
Generally speaking after the race starts there will be a
period of time in which no change overs may be made, and
this may be as much as 30 minutes. After which, changeovers
can begin and you can change as many as you like at a time,
but generally a maximum of three at any one change over
is made.
Coaches will generally want to rotate paddlers every 15-20
minutes. Tired paddlers climb aboard their support vessel
and then take on fluids and any carbohydrates they may need,
and prepare themselves for their next session. Generally
speaking the canoe will start and finish the race with the
strongest crew combination.
13.6 What difficulties are had in making
up a change chart?
Primarily in keeping the blend of paddlers in the canoe
at any one time such that the canoe travels smoothly. In
this respect keeping those who sit one and two, is crucial
to this blend, as it is these positions which stand to create
the biggest inconsistencies within the canoe. Having a good
gene pool of paddlers to choose from with all around abilities
definitely makes the job easier.
13.7 Does the steerer also change over?
Generally speaking, no. Steerers will paddle iron or without
change, staying put for the duration of the race. This means
they must stay well hydrated and in the case of the longer
races, consume concentrated carbohydrates to keep going
for over 4 hours. Crews generally have one specialist steerer,
so if they do take a break it may be for a short time before
returning to steer. |
Home 
Outrigger History 