At ARE Outrigger World, we want paddlers everywhere to have the safest and most enjoyable experience possible when they are on the water, whether they’re racing or paddling recreationally. To that end, we will be presenting a series of instructional videos designed to give paddlers the latest tips on various aspects of outrigger canoes, from preparation to Tahitian paddling techniques—so you can achieve the “pure paddling performance” that is the hallmark of ARE Tahiti canoes.
In this first video youtube.com/watch?v=6nBIoV9szh4, we present tips on rigging a V6, demonstrated on an ARE Tahiti V6 Matahina. We recognize that different canoe clubs might have different approaches to rigging a canoe. However, we are presenting what we have found to be simplest, safest and most effective way to rig a V6 outrigger.
Should you use straps, string, or rubber rigging?
The presenters are long-time paddlers and coaches Chris Cornejo and Justin Feesago, of ARE Outrigger World, who give a step-by-step demonstration of what they have found to be an excellent method, based on their combined 40 years of paddling and coaching experience.
The first and most fundamental question they address is whether one should use straps, string, or rubber when rigging an outrigger. They discuss and demonstrate the advantages of using rubber straps—namely, flexibility, safety, practicality, and easy to use. While they demonstrate on a V6 with carbon-fiber iakos, rubber rigging is suitable for canoes with both carbon-fiber and wood iakos.
Making Adjustments
Chris and Justin show how to put the straps on, how to adjust the ama for optimal balance and performance (based on variables of crew size, water conditions, and racing versus recreational objectives), and how to make adjustments. They also point out the importance of putting the canoe on the water first, with the crew that will be paddling, to determine which adjustments to make—and to do it well beforehand, not on race day.
Don’t Forget About Our Live Instruction & Rentals
ARE Outrigger World hopes you will find this video instructional and helpful in your paddling and preparation. We also look forward to presenting other aspects of paddling. For those who want further hands-on instruction, ARE Outrigger World also provides group and private instruction and canoe rental of our one-man outriggers, the rudderless V1 and the OC1. We look forward to helping you in any way we can and want you to get the most out of your paddling experience—so you can learn or improve you paddling, enjoy the experience to the fullest, and minimize injuries along the way. We welcome you into the family (“ohana”) of outrigger paddlers who share a deep connection with the water and with this growing sport.
