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Title: Paddlers return from Hawaii Post by: paddleBOT on August 26, 2004, 01:45:58 PM Quote Paddlers Return From Hawaii By Kim Thompson Event sparks interest of aspiring outrigger canoeists A team of young Pemberton outrigger canoeists dipped into the splendor of the Polynesian culture at the World Sprint Championships in Hilo, Hawaii, Aug. 9 to 15. Although the team placed in the middle of the pack, the trip and the event produced some golden memories. “I took our best dragon boaters with limited equipment and time in the boats so it was a bit of an experiment for us,” said Dr. Hugh Fisher, the team’s coach. “More importantly, all of the athletes want to go to the next world championships.” . . . Fisher said he expects next year’s Pemberton’s dragon boat program to be strong, adding that outrigger canoeing tends to complement dragon boating. “Dragon boating is a great recruiting tool to get kids into paddling. After a while some of them wonder what else you can do with paddling and outrigger is one of many options,” Fisher said. Con'td in article (http://www.whistlerquestion.com/madison%5CWQuestion.nsf/0/3648F9A46AB451C788256EFC0066F68A?OpenDocument) Title: Paddlers return from Hawaii Post by: pullingwater on August 27, 2004, 03:06:47 PM Just to add to that great article !
Over 80 Canadian paddlers went to the world Outrigger sprints in HILO Hawaii. We were repesented by over 14 canoe clubs from all across the country- ! Every catatgory was represented from juniors to golden masters ! This is the largest group to attend a world's -in the past it was usually a group of false creekers who decided to train and go for it ! The False creek senior master woman made up mostly of False creek woman's DB team have medalled over and over again at every World they have attended. This sport is great for Dragon boaters as they can still sprint- but in a much more comfortable craft - races run 500 - 1000- 1500 meteres on a 500 meter course with bouy turns. This worlds had over 22 nations from allover the pacific - The NZ brought about 250 paddlers. ! They take it seriously ! The Tahitians and the Hawaiians battled it out. The Tahitians were at a 84 stroke rate - in an Outrigger ! amazing ! Next world will be in NZ in 2005 march . So it in an outrigger in your off Dragon Boat season - it's fun ! Aloha Melanie PULLING WATER CanoeSports www.pullingwater.com (http://) |