Outrigger canoe

An outrigger canoe ( outrigger boat ) or English outrigger canoe ( abgk. OC ) is a canoe, which only exposed to one on canoe with two (usually wooden ) cross braces ( Iato or iako ) is safe to move associated boom or float on the water.

History

The history of outrigger canoes began about five thousand years ago in the South China Sea. From there, the settlement of more than ten thousand islands began in the southern Pacific Ocean. With the invention of the boom ( Polynesian Ama ) was the hull ( Wa'a ) be constructed so narrow that easily lead to significant speeds could be achieved with high stability.

About two thousand years ago it was the Polynesians who overcame with improved boats long distances over the open sea and thus the farthest corners of the conquered, until they discovered last about a thousand years ago, New Zealand. Also, the 9000 years old and extinct in the period of British colonization Aboriginal tribe of Ngaro in Queensland, Australia, sailed the sea area of the Whitsunday Islands with outrigger canoes. The canoe was the basis for the settlement of the entire South Pacific. The Polynesian designers developed not only to navigate the high seas simple but appropriate type of boat but simultaneously outstanding ability with the help of the stars and smell Islands formally in their area or to locate due to changes in wave formations. Today, fewer and fewer people still dominate this ancient navigational skills.

Sports

This boat is used to in our time in the South Pacific as a commercial vehicle, albeit often equipped with outboard motors. However, the tradition of paddling the canoe on many islands is very well maintained.

The modern outrigger canoe sport developed in French Polynesia ( here they are called Va'a ) and Hawaii, where in 1908 the still existing Outrigger Canoe and Surfboard Club was founded. During the traditional cultural festival " Heiva " beginning of the 19th century were already organized lagoon race in Tahiti and the neighboring Society Islands. From there, the sport spread in its current form over many Polynesian and Melanesian (especially Fiji and New Caledonia) islands of time, as far as America, Australia and Asia and eventually Europe.

In French Polynesia, the Va'a or Pirogue sport, as it is called in the French-speaking world, to compare in importance to football in Germany.

Known race

There, and in Australia on Hamilton Iceland (Queensland ) and Hawaii will be held major international outrigger canoe races between some islands. Hawaiki Nui Va'a The race and the Molokai Hoe race among the most popular outrigger canoe races in the world. Hawaiki Nui Va'a in the French Polynesia, the islands Huahine, Tahaa and Bora Bora combines ( three stages with a race distance of just 130 km) is considered the hardest but at the same time most beautiful race of its kind in Ca. 1200 international athletes go there at the start. No less famous is the Molokai Hoe that connects the Hawaiian island of Molokai to Oahu. With around 1,000 participants and a race distance of over 40 miles of this race is held for over 50 years. The data used for such races outrigger canoes are, with few exceptions (such as the Hawaiian Koa acacia) made ​​no longer as formerly made of wood but of modern composite plastics.

Boat types

There are different types of boats. The Va'a there is traditionally known as V1 ( Va'a Hoe ), V3 ( Va'a Toru ), V6 ( Va'a Ono ), V12 and V16 ( Va'a Tauati - two linked V6/V8 ), from lagoons or shallow water boats to ocean-going outrigger canoe. In addition, there are 2-bed and 4- to. The most commonly used 1 Series and the 6 Series. The 1er usually weighs 10 to 15 kg, and costs (depending on material and workmanship ) 1800-2800 Euro. A 6 is approximately 13.70 m long, has a weight of 130-160 kg and costs with equipment approximately 8,000 to 10,000 euros.

1er and 2er are available with or without a control system. Furthermore differ 1er and 2er by their seating device either in the boat or on the boat (also called Sit on Top 's). In Polynesian area predominantly 1er be used without a control system and based device in the boat. In the United States (especially in Hawaii), however, are mainly 1er and 2er used with rudder and sit- on-top device.

Further development

After the boats have held in Asia, East Africa, Australia, North and South America some time ago catchment, the sport is becoming more popular since the beginning of the 21st century in Europe.

1978 outrigger canoe has been used in Europe for the first time, it crossed with a U.S. team the English Channel for the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Hawaii by Captain James Cook. In 1994, the first time a selection of German canoeists at the Hawaiki Nui Regatta participated, some of these paddlers founded in 2004 the first German outrigger canoe club ( 1.OCC ). In 1999, the outrigger canoe club Ruahatu Va'a taught in the South of France from the first Porquerollaise modeled after the Molokai Hoe. In 2000, a total of 4 teams participated in this race - the first foreign team went there the German team Oro Nui Va'a at the start. In 2007, a total of 24 international teams participating in this race, which is now regarded as one of the main 6 races in Europe.

In 2001 ( also in southern France ) aligned the Orofero Challenge for the first time, a race modeled after the Hawaiki Nui Va'a. The first open European ( European Cup ) was held in October 2003 in Northern France ( Saint -Valery -sur -Somme ). 2007 succeeded the Canoe Club Lower Weser from Bremerhaven, with an outrigger canoe to paddle to Helgoland for the first time from the mainland.

In Europe there are now about 30 clubs that operate this sport, most often in Italy and France, but also in England, Sweden, Belgium and Holland. Also in Germany increases the number of outrigger canoe athletes, and the number of clubs that offer outrigger canoes. The German Canoe Association ( DKV ) and some canoe - state associations have already taken this discipline and make contact. In 2008 there were on the Baltic Sea Rerik first one supported by the DKV Germany Cup.

At the international level, the International Outrigger Association ( International Va'a Federation - IVF) combines the vast majority of countries where the outrigger canoe sport is played (especially Tahiti, Hawaii, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Italy, England, France and Germany ) to promote with the primary objectives to align outrigger canoe world championships and the Va'a sport. The IVF was founded over 25 years ago and held every two years, the Sprint World Cup. In August 2008, Germany took part for the first time with a team in this championship. Germany is represented on the Board of Officers of IVF and there is a contact person for the European outrigger canoe sport.

The International Canoe Federation (ICF ) has added outrigger canoe sport in its portfolio, aimed so far but no championships.