The Paddlers Guide to Outrigger Canoeing
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426 pages - 5.75" x 8.25" [15cm x 21cm] Perfect Bound
ISBN 978 0 9586554 22
"Having just finished re-editing and making improvements to the layout of the books second edition, we've managed to add greater graphic content to the technical sections on rigging and paddling technique, made the book more compact, but still extending over a substantial 426 pages. We've also reverted to classic black and white internal pages, timeless and more environmentally friendly."
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: We've taken environmental factors into consideration in the production of this new book, opting for 'Digital Printing', the future for environmentally conscious book manufacture. This process eliminates the need for lithographic plates and chemical usage and reduces waste disposal. We have also opted to use paper guaranteed to be grown under the guidance of the 'Forestry Stewardship Council' (FSC) who ensure the use of legal, sustainable, plantation timbers. Our choosen printers are at the top of the field in enviromentally sound print production.
Chapters are as Follows (Sample pages at bottom of text)
(For 'Steering' see our 'Art and Skill of Steering' book)
1. The Oceania Va`a
Va`a which include an outrigger framework, are uniquely different from other types of ‘canoe’. Whether possessing a single or double-outrigger, double hulled, paddled or sailed, they were at their most prolific and developed to their highest form throughout the Pacific islands. This chapter explores issues of origins.
LOW RES SAMPLE PAGES FOLLOW.
2. Peoples of the Va`a
Polynesian culture was the last great Oceanic culture to flourish. The inherent skills of va`a architecture, seamanship and navigation acquired through the pioneering maritime skills of the Melanesians and Micronesians, paved the way for the Polynesian voyages.
3. Ceremony
The va`a was considered by many cultures of Oceania as a living entity, providing a direct link to their entire existence. It was a means of harvesting food from the ocean, a way to travel near or far, and on occasion, a vehicle for warfare and recreation. Learn some of the finer points of va`a ceremonies.
4. Hawaiian Historical Perspective
The va`a has been the principal mode of transportation in Oceania for thousands of years. Today, va`a racing has created a renewal of passion and an assurance that the legend of the va`a will live forever.
5. Hawaiian Acacia Koa Wa`a
Traditionally, koa was the most valued timber for the construction of Hawaiian wa`a and many other items, including ancient surfboards. Two hundred years ago, koa trees were plentiful; today they are rare and protected and restoration projects have become essential.
6. Design Limits
In ancient times, no racing va`a of specific design existed within the geographical area of Oceania; at least most research would seem to imply this fact, yet va`a racing existed in isolated regions of the Pacific. Why were 'specifications' applied to the Hawaiian wa`a yet not too the Tahitian va`a, even if both are inherently Polynesian designs?
7. Evolution of the Fibreglass Hawaiian Racing Wa`a
Had wa`a officials in Hawai`i in the 50s listened more intently to Louis Kahanamoku and ‘Toots’ Minieville, the introduction of the fibreglass Hawaiian wa`a would have entered the sport more favorably. Billy Danford's indepth look at the evolution of the fibreglass wa`a; the obstacles and the triumphs together with a potted history of the Moloka`i Hoe.
8. New Zealand Waka Ama
‘Tuituia nga t taura here waka Kia kore ai e momotu Nga taura hereanga tangata.' Thread together the ropes of waka That they may not break and threaten The links between our peoples. Discover the significance of waka ama and how it was introduced back into the country.
9. Kanu Types
Euro-centric researchers and many who assisted in the reinstatement of wa`a racing in the Hawaiian Islands, choose to use the term ‘outrigger canoe’, perpetuating a disregard for the Hawaiian language and ultimately for the wa`a itself. Discover the many and varied outrigger canoe types throughout the Pacific.
10. Basic Six Person Racing Wa`a Components and Accessories
While Hawai`i is a leader in this unique paddle sport, Tahitian influence is omnipresent, from where a veritable plethora of knowledge serves as an aspirational chalice. Discover the great void which exists between Hawaiian wa`a and the Tahitian va`a through imagery and text.
11. Wa`a Rigging Materials
When selecting a suitable lashing material for rigging, consider the alternatives. You do not want the lashing material used to be overly rigid or too flexible; a the balance between these two qualities which form part of the art of `aha hoa wa`a or wa`a rigging. Learn about what not to use and what best to.
12. Rigging Know-How
If you paddle a team wa`a, then you better know how it all fits together. Not only will it allow you to check your rigging before setting off, but you will also be able to re-rig slack rigging or replace it where necessary. Learn why it is essential to know how to rig.
13. The Rigging Process 
Ancient Hawaiians used many different lashing configurations. Todays rigging process has been diluted to only a few lashing configurations, especially using cord. Whether rubber, cotton or webbing is used, the primary objective remains the same. This chapter presents a step by step process using a variety of materials.
14. The Paddle
A well designed, handcrafted timber paddle is surely a work of art. Beautiful in form, soft to the touch, the va`a paddle represents to the paddler, the most important and expensive accessory they will purchase.
15. Significant Events That Changed Techniques
Ultimately, no reasonable discussion regarding va`a paddling technique and style can be complete without some understanding of its evolution and acknowledgment of key events and interventions.
16. Cultural Preferences for Single and Double Bends
The decision to use either a single or double-bend paddle is, for many paddlers, a decision based on ergonomics and how comfortable the paddle ‘feels’. However, we need to take this ‘feeling’ one step further.
17. Different Strokes for Different Folks
The va`a racing paddler is increasingly concerned with perfecting a personal paddling style. While we may define a particular paddling technique as ‘best’ for a given paddle craft, we must remember that there is no one style that is best for all paddlers.
18. Understanding Some Fundamentals
‘Canoe and kayak paddling, together with rowing are the only sports where all participants are required to do the same thing, all at the same time. Well, unless you include bobsledding and anyway, that’s on hard water!’ Terry Wallace - Hawai`i
19. The Forward Stroke
Many arm-chair theories regarding the va`a paddling stroke exist. When dragon boat or C1 forward stroke theories are dragged screaming into the context of the va`a, differences between the craft and the environments in which they are paddled seem overlooked.
20. Working with the Ocean
Surfers surf ocean ground swells generated by distant storms which pitch and break over shallow water. Ocean paddlers predominately pursue a completely different ocean energy; wind generated surface waves or ‘wind swell’ often referred to simply as the ‘sea’.
21. Calling the 'Huts'
The ‘Sit and Switch’ style of paddling was developed by Eugene Jenson for canoe racing while training for the 800km Bemidji to Minneapolis race. The call of ‘hut’ is the cue to switch paddling sides, though ancient va`a paddlers had their own system; including whistling.
22. Bailing
A va`a bailer ka va`a [Hawai`i] or tata [French Polynesia] is a vital piece of safety equipment for the va`a paddler. Throughout Oceania, bailers were designed and constructed in a number of ways but they were always carved from wood.
23. Capsize - Causes, Prevention and Recovery
The capsize of a wa`a is a very significant event, and the manner and speed with which the crew deals with it is critical. Though wa`a are prone to capsize, when well rigged, capsize is nearly always due to the fault of the crew.
24. Change Overs - An Added Dimension
Distance races that incorporate change-overs add a dimension to va`a racing that is totally unique to the sport. It adds a dynamic that gives it a hardcore edge, an element of danger and intensity which increases the potential for error.
25. Crew Selection
No matter how fair and reasonable the system a coach has in place for determining crew selection, someone will always feel hard done by when left out. It is important that the coach be able to justify their reasons as they refer the paddler back through the selection criteria.
26. Safety Issues
Outrigger canoeists have been extremely fortunate in terms of avoiding tragedy, though there have been incidents. Without the benefit of statistics, heart failure seems the most common cause of death while paddling.
27. Road Trips
One of many factors making participation in this sport so enticing, addictive and alluring is the uniquely beautiful locations where it is practiced; allowing you to combine overseas travel, vacation time and sport all in the one package in a way that few others can emulate.