An outrigger crew is a combination of six individuals thinking together, pulling together, and supporting each other, all connected by a single canoe. It is the perfect technique and timing of the paddles through the water, not necessarily the physical strength of members, which truly makes the canoe fly! A team environment, friendship, sportsmanship, health and fitness are some of the other fantastic reasons why this sport is so popular.
Team Survivor's outrigger canoe program is held in affiliation with Sail Sand Point and Kristen Schriver.
For more information, contact Monica in the Team Survivor Northwest office at (206)732-8350 or pm@teamsurvivornw.org
The Outrigger Canoe:
The history of outrigger canoeing originates with a voyaging canoe that once connected oceanic populations through transport. Outrigger canoe paddling was critical to the survival and transmigration of cultures. Today outrigger canoes connect people and cultures as a recreational activity and competitive sport. Paddlers will come to understand the unique quality of the sport that maintains a strong cultural identity and community spirit.
Contemporary outrigger canoes are approximately 40 feet long, about 1 foot 4 inches wide at either end and up to two foot wide in the middle. Seating up to six crewmembers, the canoe is made of fiberglass and weighs around 40 pounds. The stabilizing framework consists of two spreader bars called Iakos that are attached to the canoe hull by means of traditional lashing techniques using cordage. The two Iakos then attach at the outer end to a float called an Ama.
Program Description: At the beginning of the season, you'll try different seats in the canoe so you have an understanding of how different each position can be. This gives you empathy for the person responsible for that position and also allows you to find the place in the canoe where you feel most comfortable. You'll also get the chance to paddle in different canoes with different people. Mix it up and have fun! And remember, winter paddling is more about the experience of paddling than training for any particular race or event.
Within each workout we will pay attention to form and details. Many of you are comfortable paddling from having participated in outrigger in the past or have paddled Dragon Boat. If you are new, no worries! You will have plenty of people to learn from. Also, don't worry about your fitness levels at the beginning of the season. Just paddle at a level you are comfortable with. You will eventually adapt and be able to put more into each practice.
Some notes on canoe etiquette: no one coaches but your coaches (and sometimes the steersperson). Coaches pay attention to paddlers the best they can, and they're pretty good at seeing what's going on. If you think someone is struggling with timing, or their stroke is a little off and you think they could use some help, please tell your coach and they can take a look. Please try to avoid telling other crewmembers how to paddle. There's no doubt about it - everyone will be doing there very best!
We encourage you to visit the Sail Sandpoint website at www.sailsandpoint.org to learn more about outrigger canoeing and Team Survivor outrigger program. Go to the outrigger heading and then click on the Team Survivor Northwest link on the side of the page.
Responsibilities: When you come to practice please try to be on time - 8:00 am sharp. You are all responsible for getting boats on the water in a timely manner and making sure the canoes are equipped with safety equipment: bail buckets, life jackets, etc. If you are continually late you cause the rest of your crew to do all the chores - this gets old after a while.
When you arrive at practice take the covers off the canoes, bail out any water if needed, have paddles placed on the seat where you will sit, water bottles & dry bags in the canoe, get the dolly out, and stretch if you need to. We’ll try to save our weekly catch up chitchat until after practice.
What to bring with you: With regards to clothing: dress in layers! You will be cold in the morning but will warm up quickly once you start moving. For example: wear a pair of leggings as an underlayer with a wind-block type pants and several layers on top that you can remove once you've warmed up.
The most important item to remember is your footwear. You will all be walking in the water. You will need some neoprene/dry suit type of shoes. Tall gardening boots with a warm pair of wool socks would also do! It's also ok if you pack a towel and dry pair of shoes to change into while in the canoe.
Gloves are a good idea when paddling in the winter. The best thing is a pair of bike/cross-country ski gloves that have that sticky surface on the palms & fingers. You won' be able to hold onto the paddle with a pair of neoprene gloves (too thick) or a pair of fleece gloves (too slippery). Bring a hat if you'd like - a fuzzy ski hat will do the trick. It also wouldn't hurt to pack a thermos of something warm to drink afterwards. Once out of the canoe, you will cool down FAST. Bring a dry pair of clothes that you can change into afterward.
Directions to Sail Sand Point: Sail Sand Point is located about five miles north of the University of Washington on the western shore of Lake Washington.
The entrance to SSP is off of Sand Point Way NE at 74th Street.
Traveling North on I-5 Just past the City and just before the University of Washington, take Hwy 520 East. Off of Hwy 520 take the first exit, Montlake, and turn left and proceed North on Montlake. Staying in your right hand lane, the road will curve around past the University Village. Go through the large 5-way intersection and the road becomes Sand Point Way NE. Continue past Children's Hospital, Magnuson Park (at 65th), and turn right at 74th.
Traveling South on I-5 Take the 145th Street NE exit (#175). Turn left at the ramp and head East on 145th St. Turn right onto 15th Ave NE. Turn left onto NE 125th Street. NE 125th turns into Sand Point Way NE. Follow to 74th.
Further south? From 99, take the 80/85th street exit, stay to the left and make sure you take the 80th St. fork. Then immidiately get in your right hand lane, and turn right on Banner Way. Proceed thru the 4 way intersection and the road becomes 75th. Follow 75th and turn right on 35th, then left on 70th, at the bottom of the hill trun left on Sand Point Way NE, then right at 74th. The only three access roads from the west side onto Sand Point Way NE in this area are 95th, 70th, and 65th.
Once at 74th Just after the entrance guard station, make a hard left turn and go north, paralleling Sand Point Way. (There are usually Sail Sand Point signs, but sometimes these get moved) Go under the overpass and you will see the water. Outrigger programs are held off to your right (around the large building). You will see our container, blue canopy, and canoes.
