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.

44 comments:

Mo said...

Often spotted in the Thames in London

MadSnapper said...

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

Francisca said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Andy said...

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.

Kate said...

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.

Zosia said...

Ahhhh, summer.....

Darla said...

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

Darla

Kathy said...

I guess I'll be with Kate.

Roan said...

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

Halcyon said...

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

LONDONLULU said...

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! :)

TexWisGirl said...

really neat. beautiful reflections in that first shot.

Lowell said...

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!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

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!

Paul in Powell River said...

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

Penelope Postcards said...

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. :)

RedPat said...

Another cool series!

cieldequimper said...

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

Tina´s PicStory said...

great serie! :)

Sylvia K said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

annalarssonphotography said...

Pictures that smells summer! :)

Unknown said...

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

Randi said...

Lovely shots and beautiful scenery!

Bev said...

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!!

Bev said...

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!!

Anonymous said...

wonderful !

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


daily athens photo

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

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

Birdman said...

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

Fun60 said...

Great way to travel. Do they take passengers?

Dianne said...

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

eileeninmd said...

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

Randy said...

That looks like fun.

Rohrerbot said...

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:)

George said...

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

Michelle said...

Nice captures of this vessel in action.

colleen said...

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

Anonymous said...

What fun. That first shot is lovely.

Cezar and Léia said...

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

NatureStop said...

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

Shantana

Rose said...

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.

Powell River Books said...

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

Carola said...

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

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.