Monday, June 25, 2012

Outrigger/Our World

Outrigger canoe - Pickering, Ontario

With roots in Polynesia, outrigger paddling is also practiced on Lake Ontario, which was news to me as I had never seen it done before except on film or TV.  Last week, my husband and I happened upon this crew paddling in Frenchman's Bay so stopped to watch and take photos.

At rest about to go out again

Unlike rowing, the paddlers sit in a line facing forward.

They are off

The seats are numbered with number 1 closest to the bow. Seat 1 is the stroker who's responsible for setting the pace.

 The arm (outrigger float) on the left adds stability

The steerer sits in the last seat. I bet you can guess what his responsibility is.

Turning

Typically, the strongest paddlers sit in the middle of the canoe and the one with the most endurance at the front.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.
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44 comments:

  1. MoJune 25, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    Often spotted in the Thames in London

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  2. MadSnapperJune 25, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    that first shot is really COOL, i love it, looks like ART to me

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  3. FranciscaJune 25, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    At the first shot I was wondering where the outrigger was... aha! Sure looks a lot more sleek than the type we have here in the Philippines. Interesting info you shared, too, CameraGirl.

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  4. AnonymousJune 25, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    So peaceful and fun. Great teamwork. No cell phones or text messaging here!

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  5. AndyJune 25, 2012 at 7:18 AM

    Nice photos Camera Girl. I can almost see my house in them. It's amazing the number of different boats one will encounter on Frenchman's Bay.

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  6. KateJune 25, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    Where does the person with the LEAST endurance sit....I need to know if I'm ever in an outrigger.

    Love the photos and the commentary. Thanks for the good information.

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  7. ZosiaJune 25, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    Ahhhh, summer.....

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  8. DarlaJune 25, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Such team effort. I'll just be the watcher - you know the one on the shore.

    Darla

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  9. KathyJune 25, 2012 at 8:16 AM

    I guess I'll be with Kate.

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  10. RoanJune 25, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    I thought they were only in tropical islands. Interesting and nicely documented.
    Rubbish by Roan

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  11. HalcyonJune 25, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    I guess it takes muscle and coordination to paddle in a group like this. Love the reflection in your first shot. :)

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  12. LONDONLULUJune 25, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    Well, I absolutely love this because I'm from Hawaii and my siblings still paddle having dispersed to (super non-Polynesian) Boston & New York! In fact, I hear the paddling is especially beautiful on Lake Ontario! :)

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  13. TexWisGirlJune 25, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    really neat. beautiful reflections in that first shot.

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  14. LowellJune 25, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    A fascinating post. Who'd a thought that such a thing would be happening on Lake Ontario? I really love that first shot - it's calmness and reflections!

    But why? Why is outrigger paddling so popular? Are these people training for some kind of competition? Is this an Olympic sport? Inquiring minds want to know!

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  15. Grandma Barb's This and ThatJune 25, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    Great shots and great information. I really like the first one. I don't think I will be outrigger paddling anytime soon, but it sure looks like fun!

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  16. Paul in Powell RiverJune 25, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    No kayaking for me, my knees ache just watching, but I have seen an outrigger on one of our local lakes.

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  17. Penelope PostcardsJune 25, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Seems like a great way to relax in beautiful surroundings and stay fit at the same time! Don't think with this crew the boat could ever tip over. :)

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  18. RedPatJune 25, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Another cool series!

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  19. cieldequimperJune 25, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Provided it's slow paddling, I'm all for it!

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  20. Tina´s PicStoryJune 25, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    great serie! :)

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  21. Sylvia KJune 25, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    Terrific captures, EG! I've seen a few of those down on the Sound! It looks like fun -- well, it would look like more fun if I wasn't an old broad!! I think we see more kayaks than these! Great post for the day! Have a good week!

    Sylvia

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  22. AnonymousJune 25, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    Beautiful outrigger and much different from the ones in Hawaii.
    Scenic view in that last shot.

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  23. annalarssonphotographyJune 25, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    Pictures that smells summer! :)

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  24. UnknownJune 25, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Interesting post. I'm not acquainted with outriggers!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  25. RandiJune 25, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Lovely shots and beautiful scenery!

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  26. BevJune 25, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Interesting! My grandson is in a rowing club..they are in canoes sorta like this... I just never knew who did what in the boat:) Thanks for the info!!

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  27. BevJune 25, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Interesting! My grandson is in a rowing club..they are in canoes sorta like this... I just never knew who did what in the boat:) Thanks for the info!!

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  28. AnonymousJune 25, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    wonderful !

    Always two hands of water beneath their keel. Please have a good Tuesday.


    daily athens photo

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  29. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteJune 25, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    There's something new I learned here and thanks. Now all I have to is to remember it.

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  30. BirdmanJune 25, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    I'll take a lazy canoe on a deserted pond or marsh.

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  31. Fun60June 25, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Great way to travel. Do they take passengers?

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  32. DianneJune 25, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    your perspective in the first and third shots is so fantastic!!

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  33. eileeninmdJune 25, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Great series of photos and info. I wonder, do they race? Hubby and I enjoy the regular canoes. Have a great week ahead.

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  34. RandyJune 25, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    That looks like fun.

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  35. RohrerbotJune 25, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    I have seen this in Panama. Really fun sport....but I don't think I'd have the power for it:) They had a competition there and it looks like lots of fun. What a nice discovery:)

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  36. GeorgeJune 25, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    I found this to be very interesting. I've only seen outriggers in movies. Thanks for the neat photos and for the information.

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  37. MichelleJune 25, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Nice captures of this vessel in action.

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  38. colleenJune 25, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    The first two are especially dreamy. http://looseleafnotes.com

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  39. AnonymousJune 26, 2012 at 12:34 AM

    What fun. That first shot is lovely.

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  40. Cezar and LéiaJune 26, 2012 at 3:10 AM

    Looks like a beautiful and funny day for sports!Your pictures are great, I love the reflections.
    Léia

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  41. NatureStopJune 26, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    I love that first reflection shot!Have a great day!

    Shantana

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  42. RoseJune 26, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    I figured it was for stability...I bet it makes one have to give more through when turning. But maybe not, either. I really don't know anything about it.

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  43. Powell River BooksJune 26, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    We have two outriggers on Powell Lake, but I haven't seen them in the water yet. I still feels like winter, so I guess no one wants to get wet yet. - Margy

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  44. CarolaJune 27, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Wonderful shots with great explanation!
    I've never seen an outrigger outside Polynesia.

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