Outrigger Canoeing E-Zine May 2007
in this issue We take a look at some new products how to create a change chart aocra national championships king of the harbour event new zealand currumbin creek surf ski series begins paddler profile; Andy Wheatley and amanda ozolins paddleboarding loch ness wai tui outrigger fiji international events Calendar
1/Index in this issue 2
administration
3
editors bit
4
new stuff
11
workshop - creating a change chart
17
aocra national championships
23
king of the harbour event new zealand
26
currumbin creek surf ski series begins
28
paddler profile; Andy Wheatley/amanda ozolins
31
paddleboarding loch ness
35
wai tui outrigger fiji international
40
Calendar
Cover Photo: Leleuvia Island Fiji - by Colin Philp. For Story and photos visit www.kanuculture.squarespace/gallery.com
Enjoy the interactive links within this electronic publication by clicking on links to websites, movie downloads, email address and more. Enjoy the benefits of electronic interactivity not possible in a conventional publication.
Late breaking news. . . aussie paddlers excel in kaiwi channel http://kanuculture.squarespace.com/gallery
relay race and kauai challenge results of kaiwi channel relay race
www.pacificsportevents.com/Results.htm
results of kauai world challenge
www.ocpaddler.com/node/2423
2/admin Australia’s Outrigger Canoeing E-Zine incorporating other ocean paddlesports of interest KANUculture Ezine KANUculture E-zine is an electronically published and distributed Outrigger Canoeing publication, which also includes some Surfski, Stand Up Paddling, Paddleboard and Sailing Canoe sports. We offer a 3 month trial upon registration at www.kanuculture.com subscription rates thereafter for a 1 year period [6 issues] is mere AUD$25/ year no matter where you live. Contributions We welcome contributions from readers please keep stories to no more than 1000 words and supply images as 150 dpi jpegs. Email material to maria@kanuculture.com Administration
New Kanuculture Website Please check out the new website, created to supplement our on-line store site. uploads going on all the time, heaps of great information, blogging about to begin so be sure to join in and have your say!
Editor
Steve West steve@kanuculture.com
Managing Editor
Maria Miller maria@kanuculture.com
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Maria Miller
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3/Editors Bit
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or computer to computer, person to person delivery system is the only mechanism I see working. 2. Cost is always an issue, but even more concerning is the fact that any one person associated with this endeavour and especially a paddler should actually profit from other paddlers, as if it were some form of perverse money making act of cannibilsm, is considered wrong. In some regard, this has always struck me as a major stumbling block with the development of the sport in Australia and that is, the lack of commercialism associated with its growth. We all need money to survive and our sport needs money to grow; money from sponsors, private enterprise, grants and the like. Monetorizing it is not a bad thing.
Well as they say ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’ but it’s time to get back to grass roots, time to deliver what you want and not what we think you may have wanted. The fact is, after conducting a recent survey, it’s clear that outrigger canoe paddlers want a stand-alone publication which focuses predominently on their sport only - and that’s fair enough. For years I have made noises regarding the need for Australia to have its own OC publication, indeed for our governing association AOCRA to have its own mechanism by which to reach its paddlers, but the road-blocks and objections to this notion come thick and fast and here’s a few I have encountered. 1. The privacy act prevents you the paddler receiving anything in your mailbox, physical [street address] or virtual [email] without your express consent. So even if our Association produced a regular magazine / newsletter, you would not receive a copy unless you gave permission for use of your contact details. My take on this, is simple. If you sign up as a member of a club and thereby become a member of AOCRA, I think it is not only your right to receive regular updates but an absolute neccessity in a country as big as ours. Another counter arguement to this runs along the lines that Club Secretaries get updates and its their job to make this info available to its members. Great in theory, but there’s no guarantee members will get the information and Club Secretaries generally have enough to do and so a door to door
I wrote my first Kanu Culture book back in 1994 and it was off the press in January of 1995 and I have been at it ever since. When I look at a publication such as Island Paddler, a free publication, supported by advertisers, full of snap shots and race results and the odd article, its clear to me that we here in Australia are a long way from having the commercial backing and support of such advertisers to create such a publication added to which with respect to our importers and manufacturers, advertising is something they either feel no need for, have no budget for or see no valued media form by which to invest within to ensure some return. That being said, I am working to change this mindset and change this publication so as it can become ‘yours’, Australia’s equivalent of Hawaii’s Island Paddler Magazine. I intend approaching our Association to discuss how we can make this possible and if needs be we survey this notion to work towards making it a reality. But in saying that, we do not intend to lose our appeal to our overseas paddler's. Quite the opposite. These changes and improvements will make it a stronger and more interesting publication for all. Westy New Kanuculture Website Please check out the new website, created to supplment our on-line store site. uploads going on all the time, heaps of great information, blogging about to begin so be sure to join in and have your say! send your photos or stories for inclusion at the website or in the ezine. www.kanuculture.squarespace.com
The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing By Steve West 490 pages 29 Chapters 800 images Over 1 Kg The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing demystifies many technical and cultural anomalies which pervade this wonderful sport. Enlightening Controversial Topical Profound View Sample www.kanuculture.squarespace.com
Writer, photographer and researcher, Steve West, author of 10 previous books on the subject, provokes the reader to embrace the sport on all of its levels, via every beautifully designed page of this extraordinary book. Not an optional extra, but a must have source of reference. To View or Purchase www.kanuculture.com Telephone Enquiries 02 4579 0052
5/New Stuff
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At the OCPaddler.com website, there have been comments circulating about the new Zephyr OC1, produced by Hawaiian based manufacturers and designers, Outrigger Connection since the start of April ‘07. A prototype was apparently completed during the same month and local island production is set to begin soon after with a price tag set to be well over the USD$3000 once costs are finalised, which is no real surprise. As with many other O/Connection products, manufacturing of the Zephyr will find its way to China and should be in full production by Sept/Oct of this year. Orders already placed by Outrigger Connection on the East Coast of the USA are said to arrive in early winter. The Zephyr is being described as the 3rd instalment to the Fuze and Fusion quiver of OC1s produced by O/Connection. The Zephyr is intended to provide a choice of OC1 for paddlers who want a canoe bigger than a Fuze, but smaller and lower volume above the waterline than a Fusion, and is therefore not intended to replace either the Fuze or Fusion, but, rather be a third choice between the two. Though the Zephyr is the same length as the Fusion, there has been a reduction in the volume below the waterline through a narrowing of the beam at its widest point of 3/4 of an inch. It is believed that the Zephyr will be more efficient upwind than the Fusion as a consequence of the reduced volume. While the bow remains similar to that of the Fusion, the stern has considerably less volume above the water. The Zephyr retains the same hard chines below the waterline as per the Fuze and Fusion. While manufacturers are constantly striving to improve the efficiency of their hull designs, it’s evident that this is more of an attempt to fit the canoe to differing body masses and sizes rather than an attempt to produce a canoe measurably better in performance than its counterparts. In short, it is an attempt to provide a range of canoes under one roof that ensures at least one will suit. As noted by one German paddler at the OCPaddler.com site, references to world multiple champion Karel Tresnak Jnr of Outrigger Connection, winning races on this canoe are probably meaningless testimonials, as he wins on pretty much anything he paddles. A better yardstick is always the improvement of the ‘average’ paddler in performance.
Zephyr OC1
6/New Stuff
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Photo: JOHN RUSSELL
Wainui OC1 Maui Kjeldsen has been paddling and shaping canoes and paddles since he could stand up and walk. As the son of Kris Kjeldsen of Moana Nui New Zealand, Maui grew up living the life of a free-spirit individual on the beaches of the North Island. A champion paddler of New Zealand both in OC1, OC6 and on surfskis, he is supremely knowledgeable and a grass roots paddler if ever there was one.
Now residing on the island of Kauai, Maui founded Kia Kaha Canoes and Paddles in order to pursue in life what he knows best. His paddles have been a great success and now with the release of his new OC1 in Hawaii, he is struggling to keep up with demand. WAINUI is designed to serve as an all-around canoe for the average sized paddler, to be fast on flat water while excelling in sizable ocean conditions as well as doing very well in rough, sloppy conditions. The seat and ama configuration create a canoe that gives the paddler a greater degree of control over the nuances of the canoes connection with
http://kiakahacanoesandpaddles.com/index.htm Specifications 20’-10” in length x 15” wide. Sit in style seat for extra control. Ama rides closer to the pivot point of the canoe in comparison to other OC-1 models for extra performance in rough water. Very efficient footwell drains. Double bungee storage in the front and back. Bungee and paddle clip on back deck to carry a spare paddle. Hull weight: varies depending on lay-up material, starting @ 20-23 pounds Available lay-ups (1) Standard - Carbon/Glass, Vacuum epoxy; (2) Fibreglass; (3) Double Carbon Custom Graphic (optional @ additional cost) Prices are dependent on current Carbon (material) prices. Currently only available in Hawaii, though rumours of Aussie manufacture or importation; more on this next issue.
7/New Stuff
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New Zulu Oc1 Mark Kennedy of Zulu Surf Craft on the Gold Coast, is poised to announce the realease of a new shorter version of their current Zulu OC1 model, which currently stands at 21’ 8” long x 15” wide produced at 15kg Australian weight limit for the Standard Kevlar/Glass lay-up and 10kgs-11kgs for the Full Carbon Vacum Bag. The new design will be closer to 21’ in length and smaller in volume, in an effort to produce a canoe for the lighter, Photo: CARTER smaller paddler. The canoe is due for unveiling at the Hamilon Cup. Pics and full story in the next issue. The Zulu OC1 - a lower volume model due soon.
Bradley ‘Lightening’ Coming to Australia? In a recent conversation with Pogue Sports in Canada, one of our sales team was informed that the Bradley Lightening was on on its way to Australia. So, own up, who is behind this? I remember a rumour, but wont mention any names, but will follow up to see if I am right. In the meantime, it would be a good thing I am sure for our paddlers and its certainly a canoe which could do well in many of Australian conditions.
limits of 44' 6" and increased the rocker. The new design turns on a dime and easily catches the waves. Steering is slightly more sensitive, but most steerers have preferred the manoeuverability of the canoe. Price includes finished hull in two colours, finished Iako, and Eagle Ama. Delivery is up to the club, but we will aid in all shipping requirements.
After placing 1st and 3rd in the 2006 Moloka`i Hoe in 2006, being chosen as the canoe for the 2008 IVF World Sprints in Sacramento CA, and winning in multiple events against the Mirage, the new Bradley Lightning is going to be distributed in Canada by Pogue Sports.
Retail CND Price is $10,000.
The new Lightning is going to be available in the beginning of 2007. Sonny Bradley stretched the boat to the maximum
http://www.poguesports.com
Lightnings are now available worldwide and manufactured in Vancouver, Canada. Retail USD Price is $8,500 Options include; skirts, light ama, covers, graphics, and others. Contact Pogue Sports for more information.
8/New Stuff
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‘cyclone oc6’ a new australian design. You will have to forgive me for being just a bit cautious about this one. Historically, Australia has had a few unfortunate issues so far as ‘originality’ is concerned when it comes to so called, OC6 ‘Australian’ designs. The Southern Spirit OC6 was by far and away the most authentic and original attempt to produce a ‘from the ground up’ OC6 and for my money, is still a much under-rated design. But credit is due to the visionaries who invested in this design, which regrettably cannot be said of others who skipped the entire ‘from the ground’ approach to design and simply ‘cut and pasted’ bits of this and that together to end up with a mere variation on an existing theme. Even the name worries me at this point, on account of the fact, the Brent Bixler, Walter Guild designed Force Five was named after a category Five cyclone, and now we have a new design being called the Cyclone? Let’s also be clear that a ‘builder’ does not a ‘designer’ make. Sonny Bradley, Brent Bixler, Joe Quigg and the like are some of the sports truely inspired and talented designers, Joe Quigg a man of extraordinary talent, was instrumental in the design of the Hawaiian Class racer, the Channel Master ama and a host of surfboard, catamaran and other water craft designs.
So when I’ve looked at this canoe on the weekend, I could not help notice it looked a little like a Force Five in the bow and a Hawaiian Class Racer in the stern and there is certainly less freeboard which makes me think, it could be quite a wet canoe. I hope to have more information about this design as soon as possible. So far as performance goes, Mike Mills-Tom has run some trials and seems to think it has improved flat water speed over a Mirage, but the acid test will be open water. Peter Dorries from Northcliffe, seems to rate it during some trials of their own, but wants to get it out in some rough water. Historically, we Australians have a love affair with the Hawaiian way of things, so it has to be said, no matter how good this new canoe may appear, for the most part, I think those who hold the purse strings within clubs, may take convincing on the strength of monetary concerns, ie if this is a home grown product, without the incurred royalty costs going back to Hawaii or a middle man, then surely we can expect some significant cost reduction over say the Mirage?
Fiji’s new V6 Herb Kane’s ‘takia’ gets a make-over. Colin Philp Wai tui Surf Reports. Photo: west
The Mana V.6 - SPG 07 Edition was put through trials on Saturday 12 May. The original hull (Takia V.6) was designed by artist-historian and author, Herb Kawainui Kane (elected Living Treasure of Hawaii, 1984) who based the design on his research into traditional Fijian & South Pacific canoe design. The Takia V.6 was used for the 1998 World Sprints and 2003 South Pacific Games hosted in Suva. When the 2007 South Pacific Games Organising Committee chose this canoe for Samoa, the opportunity was taken to update the design to improve it's open ocean racing capabilities and the Mana V.6 was born.
9/New Stuff Improvements - raised gunnels and increased freeboard - new higher foredeck with increased buoyancy - moulded fibreglass seats with rear drop for added stiffness - raised Tahitian style kiato (`iako) attachment points for safer open water changeovers - cockpit deck sections between seats 2 & 3 and 4 & 5 provide additional longitudinal stiffness - new Ama design also with increased buoyancy and longer waterline length [Channel Master Ama] - revised seat positions to greatly improve weight distribution - raked "portafino" stern to improve surfing Overall, the most noticeable improvement is the stiffness and responsiveness of the canoe.
10/New Stuff
If you aren’t already aware of the epidemic sweeping the planet of making and posting short clips of oneself or others doing clever things, dumb things, illegal things, dead-set boring things, and on occasion worthwhile impressive things, then you are clearly out of the loop - these days, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
It seems the race is now on to produce the ultimate virtual paddling experience by producing the ultimate ‘clip’ of oneself. Leading the charge in this madness is non other than our man for all reasons, Ian Newland, AKA, ‘Rambo’. We recently featured the GoPro Digital Hero Camera which shot very nice pics in abundance and with great ease. Since then, the company has gone on to produce the near perfect short clip digital making wonder the GoPro Digital HERO 3 Camera. ‘This is a 3 Mega pixel Waterproof Wrist Camera that also straps to kayak paddles, handlebars, roll bars, can be worn over a life jacket and used with ski gloves on. The Digital Hero Camera makes it easy to capture exciting photos and videos during any sport or activity. Sailing, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, paddling, surfing...get the shot that makes you look like a Hero!’ reads the promo-blurb. But they did not count on Rambo taking it that step further by devising a tripod mount so this beauty can be rigged up to get true action imagery. A shock-proof / waterproof polycarbonate casing protects the camera against drops and bumps that would destroy other digital cameras. It is functional to 30 feet underwater and waterproof to 100’+ deep. Whether over ski gloves and a jacket, on a child's wrist, or strapped to your favourite gear...one size fits all. The GoPro Digital HERO 3 Camera can shoot a most impressive 54 minutes of TV resolution 640 x 480 resolution video, with sound, on a 2GB SD card (not included). (GoPro recommends SanDisk SD cards for optimum quality.) http://www.goprocamera.com http://www.goprocamera.com
Photo: RAMBO
Rambo’s Tripod Set Up ‘Here is the new tripod mount I have made for the Hurricane. It is completely adjustable from 1 - 1.5 metres high, the head rotates 360 degrees and tilts up and down. I can lay it back or lay it over to the ama so it shoots the paddler side-on or from the rear, or face it rearwards to capture the paddlers behind me. I'm also attaching a mouth operated record on/off switch, so I can control it by biting on it. The whole thing stays permanently attached to a spare iako and only needs the seat track screw removed to dismantle it. I have also put a hood on the waterproof housing to shade the lens and this has improved the picture quality out of sight. I can now shoot video at a closer angle to the sun without exposure problems. I've shot some footage and am impressed, the perspective is perfect. Sound is still a problem as every vibration is transmitted to the mic even though the housing is mounted to 50mm foam.’ www.rambos-locker.blogspot.com
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Creating a Change Chart
Photo: west
The Hamilton Cup is just around the corner, and for many paddlers as much as the 42km change-over race is something they look forward to, the actual changeover aspect is something which brings on a cold sweat. The changing of paddlers, is a critical element within the context of this type of race. Beyond the physical and technical elements of how best to ‘get out’ and ‘get in’ the canoe, there are many other considerations. Two teams of equal ability, who will win out? The crew which makes the least mistakes and responds quickest and in the most appropriate way when their are any mistakes made. In this brief overview, I thought to present to you ideas concerning the putting together of a ‘Change Chart’ a crucial element of your race strategy. Steve Scott, one of Outrigger Canoe Club Hawaii’s most successful coaches, talks about change-over races.
Creating a Change Chart Creating a change chart is one of the most complex and challenging tasks which a paddler or coach can attempt. You should stick to it as closely as possible and only make amendments if there is injury or sickness preventing a paddler making a change. From a time point of view, opinions vary. It’s fair to say that if a particular crew is cranking along making distance on other canoes and it’s time for the call, you may want to leave it a while. A coach’s assessment of who is burning out and needs the rest is a very strong factor. Their knowledge of the individual paddler’s capabilities is essential and paddlers should communicate to the coach how different combinations are working and how they are feeling. Having at least two or even three paddlers who can ‘float’ between seat positions, is a great advantage, which will allow for the inclusion of specialist paddlers to rotate primarily within a limited range, ie seats # 1 and 2. Moving paddlers between seats while maintaining the highest possible average hull speed is your goal. This can only be achieved if you
12/workshop know your paddlers well, both their strengths and weaknesses. Anomalies will include; upwind and downwind sections, rough water and smooth. You may need to move your paddlers to suit because of issues of ability or ‘trimming’ the va`a. When creating a change chart, select a change crew on the basis of how they fit together. Seat # 1 and 2 must work well together and in a 9 person race, I would select two strokes and three # 2s, leaving me with three remaining specialist paddler seats # 3, 4 and 5 and a steerer. These paddlers would only ever rotate between these seats, the others can sit anywhere they are needed but will always ultimately rotate to be working as a pair in seats # 1 and 2. In the case of a ten person team, you can have three specialist strokers. What’s crucial is having the match up between # 1 and 2, so # 2 matches up with the stroke. This is the most critical combination. If you can figure this out as a place to begin, then # 3, 4 and 5 can hopefully just slot in and follow. Of course each stroker has a marginally different rhythm and technique, and some adaption process is going to have to occur with each change of stroke. What you want to do is minimise this, so you need two strokes who are similar in style and pace, if possible. You can of course have a situation where both of your strokers end up in the canoe. This is not ideal and of course the one not stroking is going to have to exit, rest, then enter again. This means that the present stroker will need to be in for a long period of time beyond the 12-15 minutes I usually work on. Strokes are the ones who get burned out quickest. It’s mentally and physically tough. If you want to relieve the steerer at some point, this will need to be factored in. The steerer may want to come into the canoe to paddle for a time. Either way, you will need to build in a contingency, as many steerers will say they can go the distance, then find they need a break. You are best therefore to always have two steerers, a primary and a secondary and this will ensure that you are covered in case of injury, exhaustion or sickness. Race Start
Photo: west
have confidence in the format. The change chart is your blueprint for making the combinations or the cocktail work. Over the years, OffShore California ladies have changed one paddler at a time, whereas I like to change two generally, sometimes one. Recently, there has been a move to do a two person change but keeping the entering paddlers spread quite a way apart. So rather than being two or three feet apart, they may be as much as two canoe lengths apart. The idea is that you minimise the slowing effect on the canoe and keep more paddlers paddling at any one change. Remember, the change chart is your blueprint. But if a combination is working well and the canoe is flying, you might want to just let them go a bit longer. Ultimately there is a great deal of intuition at play which creates a variety of race strategies. Change races are definitely challenging!
In relation to how to begin a race, I believe you need to load it up with your best crew and keep it that way for as long as possible. Getting the best advantage at the start is crucial. While others are making their first change, if you can delay your change and get a few boat lengths on them, so much the better.
The Australian men’s teams in a 9 person crew tend to follow a 2 and 3 person changing sequence, ie changing seats # 1, 3, 5 and # 2, 4. Other men’s crews use two, 2 person changes concurrently, followed by a single change and then repeat the format.
On the first change
Using a two person change as an example, Outrigger Australia have experimented in the past with spreading the two paddlers
Practising with particular combinations is important so paddlers
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Sample change-chart for the 1996 Open Mens Moloka`i crew, for Outrigger Canoe Club Hawai`i. This simple grid shows both who is paddling and resting and the increments of time.
Your Seat Five Paddler In a rough water race, your seat # 5 will need to be a competent steerer and confident in rough water. They should also show initiative in assisting the steerer when required. They may need to be in this seat at pre-determined sections of the race, which means you’ll need to estimate the time when you will need them in this seat. A good example is the 42km race at Hamilton. You may estimate that at 1:10mins your crew will be heading towards Pentecost Island on the upwind leg and you want your most reliable seat # 5 in position to assist the steerer for as long as possible. Or in the Molokai to Oahu race as you pass Lauu Point and head into open water, you decide this is where you will need your strongest seat #5 to be in place. Even before you have decided upon the final crew, you can begin putting names on your grid – sometimes if you are short on paddlers, you will need to do this and fill in the blanks as you progress.
very wide apart, so the relief paddlers enter the canoe separately and have less impact on the speed of the canoe. They used this in the 1997 Molokai race to good effect, when conditions were calm. The normal procedure however, is to have all relief paddlers enter together. In the case of single changes, there is always the potential for the canoe to have too much speed and inertia, especially when in a following sea and the paddler fails to hang on! Take this into account. You’re normally looking to change the stroke as a priority, along with # 4 and 5. I try to keep # 2 and 3 in, because # 2 has to combine with the stroke and from there change # 2 and 3, then maybe move to a #1, 3, 5 and # 2, 4 combination. For the most part, # 2 is going to stay in longer to make it an easier transition, so # 2 can blend with # 1.
It’s worth noting, that while your chart is a key element, there are times when through injury, fatigue, missed changes, poor combinations, or radical changes in conditions, that you will need to improvise and make decisions based on instincts. At times like these, the chart may become a liability not an asset. You must always be prepared to be flexible. Knowing your paddlers well is essential. Observing particular combinations and making mental notes are key elements in implementing a change in strategy of combinations during the race. While you can create a change chart which will run for the entire race (and beyond in the eventuality the race takes longer than expected) this is often a nearly impossible task due to a number of factors. The more experienced the crew, the greater the number of races they have shared, after a few hours of racing, much of the sequence of changing becomes clock-work.
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Photo: west
Many teams will only create and use a chart for the first two hours or so, after which they will revert to making the decision to change as they see fit. Sometimes paddlers will be asked if they want to stay in the va`a or get out! Others in the support boat will often be keen to get in, while some may need some extra time out. The longer the race, the more complex this issue becomes. Change Chart Manager The change chart manager/coach on the support boat acts as the time keeper and is the general in charge of running the change-over sequence. In rare cases, if you do not have someone taking charge of the chart, the paddlers will have to follow the chart themselves with assistance from the boat driver! Change chart management. You will need a ‘chart manager’ who is methodical and not prone to sea-sickness! This is a common problem, often overlooked. You want to be sure that you don’t loose your essential link between the chart and the paddlers. Without a chart manager, unless your crew is very familiar with the system and sequences, your race could get ugly and confusing.
change, the entire process is ultimately at the discretion of your change chart manager/coach, who can either religiously stick to the chart, or improvise as required. It is important that paddlers know what is going on, therefore ensure good communication. Changes usually occur for each paddler approximately every 1215 minutes and in a particular sequence. Changes will tend to be initiated every 5 minutes in order to move through the available paddlers and to stick to the paddler time limits. However, this will depend upon how many paddlers you are changing each time over a given duration. In the case of a women’s ten person crew, if you changed four paddlers in one go, followed by a single change 5 minutes later, you would not need to make another change for another 10 minutes. Keep in mind, that while a change race covers a long distance, the race can be considered as a series of short hard efforts followed by a rest. While the generally accepted time stint is 1215min maximum per paddler, little experimentation has been done regarding loss of time, energy and distance travelled by extending these times to longer stints; ie 20 minutes or more.
Time Issues
Energy expended during exit and entry to a canoe, the loss of canoe speed, and increased water entering the canoe are all factors which suggest that the more frequently this occurs, the greater the room for error and the greater the cumulative effect. However, few crews are brave enough it seems to try something different.
Most races will have either a pre-determined time after which changes can begin, or a particular point which must be reached before changes can begin. Once you have made your first
Apart from the generally accepted rule applying to when the first change can be made, there are no rules concerning when or if a change should be made. Cold water changes, in particular, can
Start your watch with the start of the race. Ideally, if you have done your sums right, your first change will coincide with the chart time!
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be very energy sapping both while in the water and when on the support boat as the body consumes energy just keeping warm. For example if a crew is travelling well - why make a change. As radical as it may seem, if you are involved in a change-over race such as Moloka`i to O`ahu or the Hamilton Cup, it is not compulsory to make any change-overs whatsoever, as long as you have relief paddlers available, which is an odd irony. Religious adherence to changes is fine, as long as it is not to the detriment of the crew as a whole. Why make a change if the current crew is catching runner after runner and overtaking others? It should cross your mind to leave that crew as is, until it becomes apparent a change is required. Dummy Changes This is a ploy used at times when two crews are racing neck and neck, and the changes are being closely monitored between each and often mirrored. It is used more often towards the end of a race. The support boat will tell it’s paddlers it is going to make a ‘dummy drop off’. The support boat will then travel ahead and make a drop off of paddlers, and the canoe goes through the motion of approaching the paddlers for a pick up and can even mimic unzipping. The opposition crew. seeing this, makes their own move to make an actual change. The crew making the dummy-change then paddles past the relief paddlers and as the opposition crew makes their change, paddles hard to gain ground. Towards Race End Towards the finish of the race, if you’ve been following your change chart, you will have hopefully estimated your finish time. Generally, you won’t always finish with your strongest crew, not without major changes which can be a risk. Towards the end of the race, there can be some very critical times with ’Make a change or hold off,’ kind of decisions, especially if it’s close. Every time you make a change, you’re going to lose one or two seats of canoe length on your opposition, and that’s if it is a good change. If you’re down to the wire with only five or ten minutes remaining, you’ve got your best crew in the canoe and you’re duelling with another, would I make a change? Tough call. I would have to consult with the paddlers. If they felt strong, then
I guess I would leave it. If we didn’t have our strongest set up, or if one of the paddlers was suffering, then a single drop off would have to be a seriously considered option. Other Concerns Regarding Seat Positions There are many views regarding how best to effectively alternate paddlers. Many factors need to be considered from the point of view of the paddler’s individual ability, fitness and suitability to different seats. Consider how seat # 5 works with the steerer, especially when help is required in rough water. Consider body weight, so when you need to add ‘weight’ to the front of the canoe or ‘lighten’ it, depending on upwind or downwind legs, you will have this information available. Weighting the canoe up with heavier paddlers in a following sea can pay off in certain conditions and certain canoe designs. Too much weight may lead to constantly burying the nose of the canoe, slowing progress and increase the risk of stalling and excess water finding its way into the canoe. The Mirage canoe for example, has been designed so it can accommodate greater weight in the bow with less chance of burying due to increased volume and improved rocker line. When punching upwind, you may want to keep the bow of the canoe from constantly pitching up and down, slowing progress each time the canoe rises and falls. It may pay to weight the bow to reduce this motion and to encourage the canoe to punch through, as opposed to going up and over. This tends to be preferable in steeper, shorter, smaller, choppy waters, but it need to mean both paddlers are ‘heavy’ as your primary strokers are probably not, so add weight with heavier seat 2 paddlers. Photo: Allison
WINTER SURF SKI SERIES 2007
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13h00 $20 Category Cash Prizes 1st 50 entered receive caps and singlets \Paul Mauger : paulmauger@hotmail.com 0405 474 778
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Contact Details Ph 0400389730 Email dean@oceanpaddler.com
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To View Images and to Order To View Full Race Results Coffs OCC
Aussie Titles Coffs ’07 The Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association Championships came as close as it has ever been to being the genuine article. This was due to several key factors, one of which being that the best of Australian teams and paddlers participated, with the exception of a few who had genuine reasons for not attending.
Northcliffe Open Womens Crew, based on the Gold Coast Queensland Australia, trailed the Mooloolaba OCC crew but fought back to take line honours in the marathon event.
The fact that crews from North Queensland did not attend was a disappointment but not surprising as their ‘local’ races have them travelling thousands of kilometres every season, even before venturing so far south for the titles this year. This, however, is the events single biggest nemesis - when is a ‘Nationals’ a ‘Nationals’ when the entire country is not represented? Furthermore, is an event a National Titles, even when there are essentially no qualifying pre-requisites? It is genuinely confusing stuff. Without the attendance of all clubs from all the Zones of Australia, isn’t what we end up with, no matter how well run it is or all the pomp and ceremony, just another event? Regardless, the sport requires its own National Championships, Titles, call it what you will. But in some regards it reminds me of tennis at the Olympics compared to the kudos of playing at
Wimbledon or the US Open. In the case of our sport, races won over the four days of the Hamilton Island event still carry more significance. It was interesting to note paddlers making comments at the ausoutrigger.com site regarding AOCRA disallowing paddlers from different states/clubs to paddle with others at the Nationals and suggestions of steerers from other clubs/regions helping others. Ella from Footscray made the comment, ‘In any other sport, the Nationals is the best of the best. You fight for the right to represent your state and teams are made up of the best athletes in the state. In our sport, it's just another regatta, except the invite goes out to all zones, not just one. So you should be able to compete unofficially in a mixed club crew, same as in any other regatta. It's unbelievable the way AOCRA go out of their
18/ocEvent way to create/enforce rules that discourage participation in our sport.’ Al Bradley from the Central Coast however made the point, ‘The problem as I see it, is that the Nationals is a ‘Club’ championship. If AOCRA allowed club mixing, it would set a precedent and you could end up with dial up teams. I see your disappointment at not being able to race all the same but can understand the stance they have taken.’ AOCRA are used to criticism, ‘they’ don’t like it but the fact of the matter is the paddlers are in essence the ‘customers’ to whom AOCRA should at least on some occasion be subservient too. That being said, the Nationals have pretty much always had a rough time of it in this country. Consider this. In 1983 the first ever Hamilton Island race was staged and called the ‘Queensland Outrigger Titles’. The following year, 1984, it was renamed ‘The Hamilton Cup’. It was not until 1988 when AOCRA was founded, that the first National Titles were held in conjunction with the Hamilton Cup race. And we wonder why the event has an identity crisis? The Hamilton Cup existed prior to AOCRA, prior to the Nationals and when founded, began in conjunction with the Hamilton Cup? I think in times like this, we need to step back and take a look at the big picture and make it absolutely clear what defines a National Titles event? Once you have this figured out, you should conclude that it should not include ‘mixed’ crews from different geographical regions and neither should the Association make concessions with this; at local zone level races - yes, otherwise by other name, it ain’t a Nationals. What can be said is that next year’s event will mark the 20th anniversary of the AOCRA Nationals, and here we stand still debating its virtues, values and legitimacy. Simone Golik, one of Australia’s long term paddlers comments; ‘Am I correct in stating that a reasonable request would be. ‘Can clubs that are more than 600k from and outside of the Host Zone of the National titles be allowed to enter Zone teams?’ I have stated 600k, because that is roughly the cut-off for feasibly getting to/from the Regatta without having to have a full day off work or fly. Let's face it, we love our sport and if we could do every regatta we would, but the constant battle of the leave days and forking out for travel and accommodation expenses means we have to make choices. Therefore it is not
OC6 Marathon Course
always practical that all our clubs members can be available, yet there is likely to be a number of people that can actually manage to race if they were allowed to form a team from the zone. I would love the Nationals to return to a level of interest that existed when I first started paddling. By enabling Zone entries, it is still representative of an area of the sport within Australia. It is just not club specific. There could still be club recognition and awards, any one that has managed a large club could tell you it is an enormous task and that effort should be recognised. However, the smaller clubs in a wide geographical zone would at least like the opportunity to play and mingle with our National brothers and sisters.’ I guess we can take the point on this, but let’s face it, if paddlers can find the dosh and the time to attend the Hamilton Cup, and in preference to the Nationals, what does this say about the motivating factors behind our decision making process? I think Al Bradley hits the nail on the head when he comments that the
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Travis Grant [left] Outrigger Australia, kicked everyone’s arse into the middle of next week in an impressive display of speed. ‘I wasn’t really going that hard, so I’m stoked.’ Mike mUrray finished in 2nd place.
Nationals are about ‘Clubs’ not about ‘Zones’ and therein resides the problem. The Hamilton Cup has ‘special’ exemption rules, regarding prize money and the mixing up of crews due to its ‘international’ status and to some extent it remains a law unto itself. The main exception being the need to ensure that in the context of AOCRA rulings regarding safety requirements that these issues are met, in order for AOCRA registered paddlers to be covered by AOCRAs insurance policy. The ‘AOCRA National Clubs Championships’ as it more accurately should be named, must adhere to strict rulings of legitimacy, otherwise it is merely in breach of its own doing. The organisers, hosts, helpers, sponsors and AOCRA go to a great deal of trouble to set the event out for paddlers, with plenty of notice, yet some paddlers and clubs seem confused right up to the 11th hour of its staging. They want to attend but are thwarted by issues of finances, time or lack of a crew to attend with and somehow AOCRA has to fix this problem? On the face of it, the results of the top place finishers would very
probably not have altered greatly whether other crews had attended or not [no disrespect intended] but their attendance would have at least added to the carnival atmosphere in the cold and the rain which we endured with sunny smiles and dispositions - God knows we need the rain. Coff’s events have not enjoyed good weather over the years, but leading up to this event, all looked sunny and bright, until the switch was flicked on day one of racing. Mike-Mills Tom has been the driving force behind having a National Titles event staged from Coffs Harbour and his hours of work and enthusiasm paid off. The feedback from the paddlers was that in terms of the race format, the on-water safety and organisation, it was near perfect. While there were a few hiccups regarding medal presentations in the evenings, this was about the only issue that was raised. The level of racing was excellent and for the most part the weather, though cool and gloomy with rain at times, strong winds stayed away, which at least kept the races ticking over.
Photo: ALLISON
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‘Natalie Anderson and Nicki Rutland of Northcliffe OCC impressed all with an outstanding performance in the OC Womens marathon event.’
Great to see so many junior teams and at the end of the day one man can take much credit for keeping faith in this area of the sport’s development, and that’s Al Rasmussen. As far as I can see, he has invested more time, money and effort in the few years of his involvement then everyone before him added together, including our Association.
Encouraging too was the number of OC1 and OC2 craft, with over 80 on the start line for the marathon events; encouraging for the sport, the manufacturers and importers. OC2s in particular are growing in popularity at an amazing rate, through the proliferation of ‘paddling couples’ it seems and the number of clubs now purchasing OC2s for training purposes.
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To View Images and to Order Download full results.
Top to bottom: The juniors enjoyed very close racing and revelled in being an integral part of the proceedings. northcliffe women trail mooloolaba but made a great come back to win. Mike Mills-Tom loving his toy. His vision of staging a great event was realised. No photos of mens race taken.
The Art andSkillof Steering By Steve West 180 pages. 18 Chapters. 300 images A valuable resource for all outrigger canoe steerers.
Includes strokes and pokes used by seats 1,2 and 5 during regatta/sprint racing, rigging, race tactics and much more.
View Sample www.kanuculture.squarespace.com
Writer, photographer and researcher, Steve West, author of 10 previous books on the subject, has gathered together a veritable harvest of photos, quotes and input from some of the world’s best steerers, to produce a truly valuable resource, ideal for paddler and coach alike. To View or Purchase www.kanuculture.com Telephone Enquiries 02 4579 0052
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King of the Harbour New Zealand The King of the Harbour event, is the first in a series of Surfski events held around the world. From here paddlers set their sights on major races in Hawaii, South Africa, USA then Dubai. While the Ski paddling takes centre stage for this event, the introduction of the teams OC1 racing is emerging with interest. This event is held over two consecutive days, on the North Island from Takapuna out around Rangitoto Island. Results from a 3-man relay event on day 1 are combined with the individual event results on day 2 to compute overall team and individual titles.
After Day 1, the results of the 7km course were Dawid Mocke (SA) 1st in 29:29, David Walker (NZ) 2nd 30:40 and Chalupsky (SA) 3rd in 30:51. These results carry over into Day 2 , with the combined time determining the King of the Harbour champion for 2007. Katie Pocock posted the top female time of 33:46. In the outrigger canoeing division (OC1) close racing was had with Team Tui comprising Kingi Gilbert, Cherokee Dolan and Mark Malakai-Williams taking out the relay. The fastest three individual times were posted by Bernt Sommers, Gavin Clark and Kingi Gilbert respectively. Day 2 New Zealand Kayak ace, Mike Walker was trailing South African Dawid Mocke by less than one minute and consequently he went out hard on day 2 from the start in the upwind leg of the 25km course. Mocke was dialled into Walker's plan, and had to work hard to make sure he didn’t slip away. See comments below.
David Mocke South Africa ‘I think Mike Walker, because he was a minute or so behind after the first day, needed to do something to reduce the deficit and he went off really hard at the start and I nearly lost it right there. For the first 2km the guys were on a different line and nearly got away, I had to crank hard to stay with them to get back with the bunch. The critical part of the race was around the back of the island, in the lee and out the wind which I knew to be a smart place to pull away and I managed to get 50m on the guys over the shallow section, and when I was out of sight around the corner I cranked it up so as I was 100m or so ahead when they saw me next. That 100m on the homeward leg, soon translates into 500, 600, 700m if you know how to catch the runners. I stayed out of the current and I held the lead home. This is my 3rd King of the Harbour title, winning in 05 and 06 also, and I’m the defending USA Surfski Champion. This is the first race in the Surfski World Series. From here we go to Moloka`i, then the World Cup in Durban, the USA Surfksi Championship in September, then the Dubai race.’ PhotoS: www.sportshub.com
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Oscar Chalupsky South Africa, on being 110kgs and 44 years old.
‘The race was good except for the flat water section around the back of the island. I’m 110kg and I had 4kms of flat, shallow water, where my rudder was touching the bottom, on the way back I was trying to catch back up, but every place I went to look for the runners, I couldn’t find them; I just found current. I stayed with the young guys into the wind, it didn’t worry me, but I won’t stay with anybody in shallow water at my age and my weight. If I were 21 that would be fine but at 44 and 110kgs. . . and if I were 80kg it would make a big difference. As an 11 time Moloka`i winner and many World Cup Races, I have won all over the world, but I only do Ski races now. I’ve raced in river races, the Olmpics and all that, but when you get old, you need to have skill and Surski paddling demands skill and that’s why I am still there at the top. But Moloka`i, World Cups and deepwater paddling, I will keep paddling until I think I can’t win.’ Photo: www.sportshub.com
Photo: www.sportshub.com David Walker New Zealand
Overall I’m pretty happy with that result. I gave it everything I had to try and win. When the wind died off in the Bay, he [Mocke] pulled away and I could never get it back and I had a bit of low point so far as energy levels went. But I was happy to beat Oscar. I put the hurt on him, when it was shallow, being over a 100kg his bottom drag is a lot worse than mine. I probably wont get on the Ski again until September, October, then back on the Kayak and focus back on the Olympics.’
View Video of Mocke, Chalupski, Walker For Full Race Results and Story
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Winter series start 2007 By Paul Mauger The inaugural race of the Gold Coast Desalination Project 2007 Winter Surf Ski Series was held on Sunday 29th April. The series consists of 3 downwind races over distances ranging from 18 to 30 ks. Entries were received from as far afield as Northern Queensland and Sydney, while paddlers also travelled from Byron Bay, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
And so it was on Sunday.
The downwind format often means that weather forecasts are closely monitored leading up to race day. The eventual route can be any one of 3 or 4 pre-planned routes subject to the vagaries of the wind. On Saturday, the weather predictions were not very specific for Sunday, ranging from W/NW to SW. Although on Saturday afternoon the wind was blowing southerly. This led to a constant barrage of phone calls to the organisers leading up to the race from concerned paddlers wanting to find out what the route would be.
The elite field of 29 surf ski racers lined up at the start and with specialist sprint paddlers such as Kurt Tutt, Dane Wilkinson, a member of the Australian Junior Kayak Sprint team, and experienced ocean paddlers such as Karl Treacher, Mick Waide and Matt Carter, all racing in marathon ocean racing skis, the start was always going to be very fast and frenetic.
This is a normal occurrence in downwind ocean racing and one which experienced race officials are adept at dealing with. If the wind predictions are uncertain, then officials delay announcing the route until the last possible minute in order to get the best downwind racing conditions. In trying to meet this format, it generally means that more often than not, pre-planned routes may not offer the best downwind conditions. Hence, delayed starts and changes in routes are normal.
Early on Sunday morning there was little wind and no swell whatsoever. But by 12:30, the NW wind had begun to blow. A delayed start was implemented and the route was reversed with the start now at Currumbin Creek going around Cook Island and finishing in the Tweed River at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
As was to be expected, Kurt exploded off the start line and in the calm of the creek, the rest of the field formed up in the familiar diamond formation around him. Once the field reached the ocean and started to pick up the runners. which were by now starting to become rideable, the downwind experience of Mick started to become evident. By the time the field had reached Rainbow Bay, Mick and Kurt had opened up a bit of a lead over the rest of the field which was also quite spread out. Matt Carter, who’d been dropped on the start line due to an unfamiliar ski that he’d been forced to
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borrow and exhausted from 3 days of outrigger racing at Coffs Harbour just prior, started to find his bearings and began using his vast downwind experience to make up time on the leaders. By the time the leaders reached Cook Island, Matt was in joint first along with Mick and Kurt. There was some controversy at the turn around the island as old sea dog Peter Ridley, in a spec ski and a few other paddlers with local island knowledge, cut inside the island reef, a well known surfing break, and made up a couple of hundred metres on the leading trio.
mins, and the first mixed double in was John Newton and Casey Leo-Litzow in 1 hr 36 mins. The first spec ski was Peter Ridley in 1hr 26 mins. The first Vet was Lance O’Connor in an amazing 4th place and the first Master was John Stewart in 1 hr 42 mins. The last finisher, Craig Sampson, was only 20 minutes adrift of the leaders, which shows the quality of the field.
This not-illegal tactic, quite common amongst psycho paddlers, found Peter in the lead. Mick, Matt, and to a lesser extent Kurt, saw their lead positions evaporate and put the hammer down. By alternating the pull, or rotating the lead, they overtook Peter.
All paddlers were unanimous that the race was a resounding success and augers well for the future development and growth of the sport on the Gold Coast. The second race will be held on the 29th of July and is 25ks, while the third will be on the 30th of September and is 31ks. All the races will be held on the Gold Coast, and entries are invited from all experienced ocean surf ski paddlers and kayakers.
Kurt faded just before the finish which left Mick and Matt to sprint for the line. Mick held off Matt to win in style in 1 hr 24 mins, with Matt a few seconds back and Kurt a half minute further back.
At the next series race, a ski donated by the sponsors, Gold Coast Desalination Alliance and Dean Gardiner’s Oceanpaddler.com will be given away to one lucky random draw winner. A large entry is expected.
The first double in was Steve Kelly and Steve Gair in 1 hr 30
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28/Profile KANUculture Chats with
Andy Wheatley and Amanda Ozolins It’s often said that canoe paddling is more of a lifestyle than a sport. Well that’s certainly true for many, but this paddling couple, when their paths crossed in Canberra OCC, making paddling a lifestyle within the context living in this city, was problematic to say the least. And so, it wasn’t long before they quit their jobs, stuffed the car with what they could and set off for Mooloolaba, wherever the hell that was? I caught up with Andy and Amanda after the Nationals at Coffs Harbour on the eve of their departure for Hawai`i, the Kaiwi Channel race and the Kauai Challenge.
Andy: I started paddling in 2002 when living in Canberra through a friend. Turned up at the club and paddled 100m that just about killed me. They had 1 ‘Classic’ [Hawaiian Class Racer] at the time and had been at it about a year. Amanda: I started when I was living in Samoa in 2002 after deciding I wanted to get involved with a ‘local’ sport. We had local regattas which were pretty crazy and disorganized; sprint only. After a year I moved to Canberra in late 2003. I had no idea there was a club there, but one day found their details on the internet, that’s where Andy and I met. you were paddling only OC6s at that point?
Amanda: Yes, though I had paddled rudderless V1s in Samoa. I thought the canoes here would also be rudderless and thought if they were I would be too scared to go out in the ocean. what other sports where you doing? Andy: Well, I was brought up playing golf as my old man’s a golf pro and I came across paddling purely by chance. Amanda: Athletics and Tri-athalons - for fun. when did you two get together?
Andy: We trained together for a couple of months and then I got an OC1 which we shared for training for some time. I think she thought I was pretty cool for having one – we went and did a race in Sydney and became inspired to train harder together.
Check out their great results at the site. Amanda won the kauai challenge relay partnered by lisa curry-kenny. Andy also picked up a placing. www.kanuculture.squarespace.com
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Photo: MANDY
What did you both do for work?
Amanda: I worked for the Federal Government in the Environment Department. Andy: I was an irrigation technician on a Golf course. How did the move from Canberra come about?
Andy: In 2004, we decided that we were determined to get to Hamilton Island, so we worked all year to get a team together. First of all we did the Port Stephens race, in which we came 3rd, this was very rewarding for us as we were all first year paddlers. So when did this become a lifestyle?
Andy: I would say after Hammo, I started looking on the internet and reading all that I could about the sport. It was then that we decided to make the move, learn from and be around the best. So we packed all that we could in the car, bikes on the back and canoes on the roof, camped our way up the coast and that’s how we arrived in Mooloolaba, no house, no job just the car loaded with our life. On the second day we contacted Katrina Sullivan of the Mooloolaba Outrigger Club, filled out membership forms, did the time trial, came last, the rest is history. Your impressions of Mooloolaba in terms of paddling?
Amanda: Well it was a big leap and a big change. I couldn’t believe how many canoes there were as opposed to our two, also the amount of people on OC1s.
Who was your inspiration?
Amanda: Lisa Curry. She showed me what women could achieve and how fast they could go. Andy, how did you go with your first OC6 session?
Andy: I felt sick, couldn’t move my arms and thought ‘What the hell am I doing here’? I’m glad I didn’t have a job because I needed the sleep. How hard was it when you found full time work?
Amanda, you started paddling with the OC6 women’s crews?
Amanda: Well I did my time in the 2nd and 3rd crews, trained a lot on my OC1 and got noticed. I made the top crew just before Hammo in 2005. Photo: BRETT
Amanda: It was hard trying to organise training, eating and then training again I would often eat my breakfast in the car on my way to work. Once I got into a routine it wasn’t so bad.
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Andy: I wanted paddling to take over my life and work to be secondary. How are you feeling about the Kauai Challenge and Kaiwi Channel Relay coming up for you both?
Andy: Paddling with Mooloolaba, with all your mates, we work together to get ourselves to a level were we can actually compete in these types of races. As a couple do you find you have conflicts of interest?
Amanda: No, we work really well because we understand how important it is for both of us to be on the water. Also, it is a way of life. So much time is taken up with this sport, that we need to support each other, it would be difficult having a partner who didn’t paddle. So our advice to those who don’t is get a paddle and get a life.
Amanda, so few women are competing on OC1’s compared to OC6’s, what would you do to resolve this issue?
Amanda: Women aren’t as strong as men and will always be a bit behind. Because there are so few, the thought of coming last is not appealing. What I would like to do is run women only downwind races with a support boat and clinics to encourage more women. Together you paddle an OC2. Andy, do you feel this would be another way of encouraging more women into the sport?
Andy: Absolutely, it would give them a lot more confidence and experience, also learn how to make an OC1 go faster. Mooloolaba in particular has a culture of OC1 women paddlers, do you think that’s made the OC6 crews better?
Totally irrelevant question for Andy. Being an Ex member of the Pony Club and a Percussion musician, did either of these help you with your balance and rhythm?
Amanda: I certainly believe it has, it gives you the opportunity to get out more, learn about how to pull water and achieve boat run.
Answer: Total harmony. Were did you pull that one from?
What does the future hold for you both?
Andy: My goal is to be up the front, especially with the crew we’ve got now. I’d love to do the Moloka`i crossing.
Photo: BRETT
31/PADDLEBOARD A Monster of a Loch March 24th 2007 Loch Ness, Scotland By Pete Brown March here in Scotland is the last winter month and a bitterly cold one. Over the winter Loch Ness grows increasingly cold and temperamental. Phenomenon abound. Converging temperature layers, numerous land points collecting eddies and horrendous chop in their lee when it is otherwise calm. Moody, dark and very much in charge. I made up my mind some time back. The ‘loch’ is the monster. It delivers a grip, and feels relentless. The past few months have been thin for any real variety of training, leaving me not too optimistic about the first fulldistance attempt in winter conditions, much less breaking any personal bests. After 3 consecutive end to ends, the 5 hour mark seems to be a barrier I may not be able to breach on Loch Ness. Even in late summer conditions she has been something of a nemesis. This year I was actually prepared for the cold training behind me. I ditched my butt-less worn 2mm farmer john and multiple rash guards for a proper wetsuit. The month of March is good for an attempt at frigid conditions. Today the air temp is 4C in the shade. Water a frigid whatever. Must be 1 or 2C with last week’s dump of snow melting into the run-offs. The surface is fairly calm. Beautiful day. Hurry up.
32/PADDLEBOARD My stock board seems small with a full wetsuit on, ‘a strange thought’. Would anything longer be cheating myself following the countless miles on the Loch on this 12 foot beat-up Velzy? On the other hand, I know a 14 foot board would be the perfect length for Loch Ness without diminishing the challenge it has to offer. One hitch, I would need to break the 5 hour barrier on the 12 footer or I’d be cheating myself. ‘Not today’, I think. But I’ll put out anyway. For the first 7 miles the loch cooperates and the line is easy. The boat is floating quietly, at 1 hour 30 and Robin informs me I’m 10 mins ahead of schedule. Everyone is positive. A fast power up and off. The second leg is always slow. Passing Foyers Point at the half way mark is tricky. You need to be in the lee until the last minute and dig hard to keep the pace rounding the shallows at the outlet from Falls of Foyer. Its narrow and the opposing surface currents will cause you to flail. ‘It’s a cold rush.’ Headache stuff. When I reach the 14 mile point, at the memorial just shy of Urquhart Castle, I’m looking at 3 hours 30. The math isn’t working my way. That was a 1 ? hour leg that took 2 hours. I’m almost 2 hours from the finish. 9 miles equals 117 mins at a 13 min pace. But a 13 min pace on the Loch is hard to hold as I have learned. I’m sure I can make 5 ? if I dig a little deeper and clean up my stroke.
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The final leg is a B-line for Torr Point, once I pass the very odd and turbulent waters surrounding Urquhart. It’s a dreadful section I absolutely hate. The first time I put in on the Loch in 2001 I chose to paddle across the width, only 2 kilometres, to Urquhart Castle from the East side lay-by, in October, in baggies and a rash guard, no booties. Halfway back I was looking at a sunspot down a long tunnel with lead arms. Worsening hypo symptoms. A hard 4 k lesson. Once lined up, Torr Point looks closer than it is, at 5.7 miles straight ahead. If you get it right you’ll avoid the middle of the Loch by 300m. At 5 hours 28, I’m rounding the point and looking at the old light house at the top end proper. Against a slight headwind I managed to pull out a very painful 1.6 mile sprint in 16 minutes and finish at the mouth of the estuary. Robin stops the watch on the boat, 5:44:15. I see mine taped to my board which say’s 5:43:02. Did I really need the 12 minutes for stops? Probably, considering it is actually very cold, and there’s snow on the hills to remind me its still winter in Scotland.
34/PADDLEBOARD Summary
From late October to the end of February an average day is not a possibility. In March it lays down a bit and the temperatures take a final plunge. April remains cold but sunny and from May to June is a gradual improvement. From July to the end of September it’s warm and placid. A personal note;
As for my times paddled on the Loch, they are just over the 5 hour mark. After over 700 miles on the loch, I have averaged out that a 13 to 14 minute mile is a good pace, given the fresh water. Less buoyant. It works out that by taking a break at the way point as I have always done on solos makes or breaks the possibility for breaching the 5 hour barrier. The key to that will be the length of the break and the barrier will go with not a minute to spare. It’s a hard goal I think and a worthy challenge to anyone. One can not judge Loch Ness by her distance. All the factors weigh in fairly heavy. The largest factor being the strange, unpredictable surface conditions. Even in winter conditions I found out the cold was a close second. Many thanks to Calicruisers of Inverness for donating the use of their vessel and Capt. Robin for the support and officiating the time. Very nice boats. My family accompanied the excursion with great enthusiasm which was a nice change to soloing. James Abell and his cousin Dave showed up for the photos to link up with paddleboardingscotland.com Best of luck. We are the only two paddleboarders in Scotland. A special Thanks to Maria from KANUculture for her help and genuine interest. DIY Loch Ness Monster OK. I know, I know, but I could not resist. Besides, if you key in ‘Loch Ness’ to search the web, the Loch itself comes a close second to the ‘monster’. I found this really helpful bit of information regarding how to make your own ‘Nessie’, the kids will love it and depending on your budget, you could build it as large as you like. Strap it to a nuclear sub and take over a small country as the locals flee for their lives.
Australian / New Zealand Orders www.kanuculture.com
For anyone interested in the blow by blow years of this event, you will be absorbed in the books content and attention to detail. Hardcover and with some 300 pages and 500 photos, this is a great collectable.
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Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International Some 300 paddlers participated in the recent wai tui fiji international championships, attracting crews from australia, samoa, american samoa, new zealand and fiji. in many ways the event has now come of age and should be marked down as a ‘must do’ event on your international annual calender.
photos: colin philp, dominique, ropati
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Held over 3 days beginning on the Easter Friday, this is Fiji’s largest annual outrigger canoeing event and a chance for the local paddlers to flex their muscle. The event is the brain-child of Colin Philp who has been instrumental in the development of the sport in these islands. ‘We’ve been to a number of international events during the past few years and we always felt that Fiji too had a lot to offer as a paddling event destination. So once we formed a committee and secured major sponsors, we finally thought it was viable and judging by the international response, it is,” explains Leeanne Lee, event organiser. Though the island has been holding this event now for several years, this years event coincides with the South Pacific Games, during this year and so this allows the local crews to test themselves and be noticed for possible selection to represent their country. “Because so many of our local paddlers haven’t a lot of international experience of late, this event provided the perfect chance to see how Fiji is performing prior to the SPG,” explains Colin Philp, head coach of the SPG squad. Held in front of Wailaloa Beach, close to the airport in Nadi, the venue
proved ideal for overseas competitors. Of particular note was the attendance of a large squad of junior aged paddlers from New Zealand and from Mooloolaba OCC, Australia led by Alan Rasmussen. 14yr old, Nick Wendt, is proving to be something of a rising paddling star, winning the U14 sprint and marathon V1 rudderless division and featuring in the U16 winning OC6 crews. ‘He’s a very good paddler in Australia, but that was new, as he’s never competed in those sorts of races overseas,’ said Alan. ‘The U16s have been racing together for the past three year and most are still 15years old.’ The Manutea
Mooloolaba juniors are setting their sights on the International Va`a Championships in Sacamento California in 2008 and the international experience is essential to their lead up. A Queensland combined crew won the Master Womens 20km marathon and the Master Men, the 25km marathon. The event attracted Tahitian paddling star, Manutea, who was brought over to the event to add some star-attraction. Manutea is from the island of Huahine and a master of V1 rudderless paddling. Needless to say he gave a impressive display, making his efforts look ‘effortless’ in taking out his V1 event with ease. With the resounding success of this years event, plan on bigger and better things next year as Fiji gathers momentum as a great paddling destination.
39/OCEvent
Download full results.
40/Calender CALIFORNIA Southern California Outrigger Canoe Association http://www.socaloutrigger.org mikalahoewaa@gmail.com 2 June - Kahanamoku Klassic, Marina Del Rey (Host Marina Del Rey) 9 June – Ventura (Host Hokuloa) 16 June - Pineapple Express – NEW, Avila Beach (Host Pale Kai) 23 June – Ironman Champs, San Diego
Northern California Outrigger Canoe Assocation 2007 www.ncoca.com
day long competition hosts hundreds of international paddlers and represents the best of the Aloha spirit. Prior Liberty Competitions have brought together men's, women's and mixed teams from Tahiti, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Hawaii and the East and West coast of the United States. This years Liberty will start and end under scenic Brooklyn Bridge, with festivities in the city and state parks on the Brooklyn side of the bridge and an evening luau open to the public on the Manhattan waterfront. The race course is 16.5 miles in length, with boats and their crews of six proceeding down the East River, around Governor's Island, past the Statue of Liberty, and up the Hudson River as far as 45th Street. Viewing will be excellent both from the shore and from escort boasts and a 15 minute film on the race will be aired on TV. For more information, check out the website http://www.newyorkoutrigger.org/index.html
HAWAII 6 May - Rhino Events Ka'iwi Channel Relay 10-13 May - Kaua'i World Challenge http://www.kauaiworldchallenge.com
Linda Dresbach, NCOCA Treasurer & Race Secretary 408-981-3717 mobile 813-393-2398 fax 408-371-0136 home/msg - linakad@yahoo.com 26 & 27 May - Memorial Day Hoe Wa'a (Host Ke Kai O'Uhane)
20 May - Molokai World Solo Canoe and Surfski Championships
9 June Sprint #1 - Monterey Beach (malia) (Host Ke Kai O'Uhane) 23 June - Sprint #2 - Lake Natoma (Host Makana Hoe/Benicia)
EAST COAST USA 2 June – Milford Challenge, Milford, CT (Host Manu'iwa OCC) 9 June - Wai Nui, Why Not? Toronto, ONT (Host Wai Nui O Kanak OCC) 23 June - Washington Monumental, Washington, DC (Host National Capital Area) 30 June - LIBERTY 2007 World Outrigger Competition New York Outrigger (NYO) is proud to announce the Liberty World Outrigger Competition to be held on Saturday, June 30, 2007. One of the largest sporting events in New York Harbor and one of the premier outrigger canoe races in the world, the
Hosted and put on by Epic 32 Miles, Solo Endurance Race, Molokai, Kalua Koi to Oahu The 2007 race will feature a new event organizer as well as a slightly new course. There will be two pre-races/ time trials. The first will be a relay from Kailua to Kaimana Beach (traditionally known as Souci Beach). The second will be a time trial from Makapuu to Souci Beach. The race will take place on Sunday, May 20th and finish on Waikiki's Queens Beach. The race distance will be 32.3 nautical miles (37.2 miles or 59.9 kilometers). While the course will be slightly longer, we've eliminated the last 5K into the wind. If the trades are blowing, the runs from Hawaii Kai to Waikiki are awesome! The Awards ceremony will be held 100 yards from the finish at Lulu's Surf Bar and Restaurant at the base of the Park Shore Waikiki Hotel. Be prepared to carbo load in style. On this new website you will be able to read all about the nitty gritty of the 2007 race; how to enter, where to stay, renting a ski and more,
41/Calender as well as the rich history of the race. There are also links to a variety of excellent paddling sites. http://www.molokaiworldchampionships.com
Maui 2 June - John Wilmington III Regatta, Kahului Harbor (Host NKE) 9 June - Moki Kalanikau Regatta, Ka Lae Pohaku Beach
RECORDS
(Host Kihei)
Men’s OC1 record – Karel Tresnak Jr. (Hawaii) 3:42:24/2006
16 June - Na Keiki o Maui Regatta, Hanaka'o'o Beach
Women’s OC1record – Kelly Fey (Hawaii) 4:02:00/1997
(Host Lahaina)
Men’s S/ski record – Dean Gardiner (Australia) 3:21:26/1997 Women’s S/ski record – Lauren Spalding (Hawaii) 4:28:00/2002
23 June - John M. & Kealoha Lake Regatta, Kahului Harbor (Host Hawaiian)
2006 Champions
For more information, go to
First men’s OC1 Karel Tresnak Jr., Hawaii 3:42:24
http://mauipaddlers.homestead.com/mchca.html
First women’s OC1 Dane Ward, Maui 4:49:15 First men’s surf ski Clint Pretorius, South Africa 3:22:14 First women’s surf ski Maggie Twigg-Smith, Hawaii 4:27:05
Europe 19 May - Metropolitan Mediterranean Cup – Frankfurt Germany
Hawaii General 6 June - Clement D. Paiaina Regatta, Keehi Lagoon (Host Healani CC) 10 June - King Kamehameha Regatta, Kailua Beach Park (Host Kailua CC) 17 June - Leeward Kai Father's Day Regatta, Nanakuli Beach Park (Host Leeward Kai CC)
The long distance race takes place on Saturday 19th May. As there is no World Cup this year, we can really have some fun on the Main and you will get to see more of the city. On Sunday, as last year, we will be holding the 500m sprint races. If required I can provide contact details for the local youth hostel, or hotels nearby. Or you just take a look at our homepage. www.metropolitan-mediterranean-cup.com
24 June - Waimanalo Canoe Club Regatta, Waimanalo Beach (Host Waimanalo CC)
SOUTH AFRICA South African Surfski Series
For more information, info@ohcra.com
Comprehensive calendar and guide to South Africa’s surf ski scene.
go to http://www.ohcra.com/index.htm
http://www.surfski.co.za/calendar.asp
June 29-31 Surfski World Cup 27 May - Ke'ehi Lagoon (Host Kaneohe) 3 June - Haleiwa Beach Park (Host Manu O Ke Kai) 10 June - Ke'ehi Lagoon (Host Lokahi) 17 June - Ke'ehi Lagoon (Host Windward Kai) 24 June - Haleiwa Beach Park (Host North Shore) For more information, info@huiwaa.com http://www.huiwaa.com/index.htm
Prize Money Doubled! ARB Electrical Wholesalers confirmed their sponsorship of the South African Surfski World Cup, to be held over the period 29-31 June 2007 in Durban, South Africa. Alan Burke of ARB announced that prize money will be doubled this year and the winner of the race will walk away with R80,000 (approx $11,000). This is the biggest prize purse in surfski history. "By giving the race a three day window, we hope to ensure optimum conditions," Butch Murray head of the South African National Surf Ski Committee said, "and there will be relay and celebrity races on the other two days. We aim to increase participation to at least 400 paddlers." Pre-race events
42/Calender will be held in all the major centres in South Africa, also sponsored by ARB to market this year's World Cup. ARB are adamant that this will be the world's premier surfski event and they aim to ensure that the top paddlers from the rest of the world will be in Durban to compete with the best South Africa has to offer "This race just came became a whole lot more serious!" Dawid Mocke, Cape Town's star surfski paddler on hearing about the increased prize money. Further details will be posted on www.surfskiworldcup.com
Day Two – Friday 1 June 2007 OC6 – 16km marathons OC6 – 500m sprints Day Three – Saturday 2 June 2007 OC6 – 1000m sprints Day Four – Sunday 3 June 2007 OC6 – 42km Powerade Hamilton Island Cup Marathon
Australia General MANLY PADDLERS
AUSTRALIA Currumbin Creek Surf Ski Series Series founded in January of 2006 and ran 30 races by years end. The race has remained unchanged - 9.5 kms from Currumbin creek to Tallebudgera shark nets and back. Other events also staged. Contact paulmauger@hotmail.com http://geocities.com/currumbinpaddlers
Manlypaddlers.com has been developed specifically for the paddling "community of interest" on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and continues to grow attracting attention from paddlers all around the globe. Our races are run on every Sunday that has an odd date. 8am start out of Shelly Beach. If the ocean conditions are particularly bad, we will run the race in the harbour, starting at Manly Cove. Manly Paddlers is a non-aligned, non-profit 'confederate' of paddlers interested in promoting the sport. http://www.manlypaddlers.com QLD SUNSHINE COAST - TRAINING
POWERADE HAMILTON CUP May 31 to 3rd June 2007 http://www.hamiltoncup.com Total prize money for this event is $50,000. Only those teams who have competed in the 16km marathons will be eligible to win prizemoney. All teams racing in one of the eight divisions, and abiding by all Official Race Rules and Hamilton Island Rules will be eligible to win prize money. Prize money will be distributed amongst the following five (5) divisions:Open Men, Master Men, Open Women, Master Women, and Open Mixed Division. Teams must compete in the 16km marathons to be eligible for prize money in the 42km marathon. Prizemoney will be awarded as follows. 1st $6000, 2nd $3,000, 3rd $3,000. Senior Master Men, Golden Master Men, Senior Master Women and Golden Master Women divisions will race for medals. Day One – Thursday 31 May 2007 OC1 and OC2 – 8km marathon OC1 and OC2 – 500m sprints OC1 and OC2 – 16km marathon
Rod Taylor has moved to the Sunshine Coast, he is able to offer oneon-one coaching for all disciplines of paddling - still water, surf, ocean, kayaking, or OC1s. For $60 a day Rod's offering self-contained B&B, with up to two instructional training sessions per day, plus other activities such as surfing and cycling. Airport pick-up included. In addition to his years of experience, Rod holds a Level II Coaching Certificate. If you want to consider several days away for a concerted training regime, here's and ideal opportunity. Rod can be contacted on his mobile 0419 499 309 or via his email address, downwindpaddler@bigpond.co
Full write up with pictures of the 2007 hamilton cup in the next issue. More interviews, reviews and tips. Send us your images and stories!