OUR CLUB
WBOCC was founded by Reggie Barnes, a resident of Wrightsville Beach & Oahu. Reggie brought this Hawaiian sport to our locale by purchasing two Bradley canoes: Sweet Ti and Dirti South, and forming our club. The club purchased two M2 Canoes: Kupa’a and Carolina Mana soon after, and these are the four canoes that we use for practice. We have also purchased an unlimited canoe, which is a lighter and faster canoe, from local Steve Lewis. We have access to the beach at Wrightsville SUP, Jarrod Covington’s business. Jarrod is also a co-founder of our club.
OUTRIGGER CULTURE
Outrigger canoe paddling has been a way of life in the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii for hundreds of years. It has recently become popular around the world for recreation and racing. Traditional canoe culture incorporates spirituality into the sport, and paddlers are required to be respectful of the canoes and of each other, with all paddlers sharing equal importance.
OUTRIGGER TERMS
The canoe is referred to as VA’A or WA’A, depending on the location. The outrigger is called the AMA. The “arms” are IAKOS (pronouced “ee-ah-kos”). See diagram for more canoe terms.
When a canoe flips it is called a HULI. Always enter and exit a canoe on the left (port) side, and never step over a canoe on land (without apologizing).
Our club is our family on the water. We call that our OHANA.
