Crews back from Hawaii

After an intensive winter training program, Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club sent two women’s and two men’s crews to contest the Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race in Hawaii. 

The main event took place on Saturday, September 3 and involved a 28km race, from north to south, down the west coast of the big Island from Kailua-Kona to Honaunau Bay. 

The out-bound trip was completed by the women’s crews and the return trip by the men.  The close passes of two hurricanes in the week preceding the races made for challenging conditions on the water. 

Heat was also a factor for the crews, having trained primarily in the icy Victorian winter. 

Other races included the 12-person double hulls, OC4 sprints and the Ali’i challenge.  

The club trains three times a week on the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay and is based out of the community boating hub in Docklands. 

The club is currently preparing for the summer paddling season with several local, interstate and international regattas on the bill. 

For more information about the sport of outrigger canoeing and the Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club contact the club secretary at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram @melbournoutriggers.