Outrigger Canoeing Publications and SUP Publications

Steve West - Award winning author and creator of Kanuculture publications since 1994

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR DIGITAL FORMATS

"Journalist, writer, educator, researcher, trailblazer, entrepreneur, cultural ambassador, Steve West is one of the most recognised and best known canoe and paddle sports personalties"
The World Paddle Awards Academy

Outrigger Canoeing - A Paddlers Guide to The Ancient Sport of Kings 465pp
Outrigger Canoeing - The Art and Skill of Steering 168pp
Outrigger Canoeing - OC1 Book - A Paddlers Guide 306pp
Outrigger Canoeing - V1 Va'a Hoe - A Paddlers Guide 292pp
Stand Up Paddle Boarding - A Paddlers Guide 510pp

'When one of our coaches and paddlers asked coach Gerard from Shell Va'a where he got his, 'Theory and Technique Concepts' from, he replied, "I read all the books - Steve West books and whatever books I can get a hold of". You inspire us all and give words where there were none or little. Thank you so much. Your hard work is greatly appreciated world-wide from the big to the little fishes.'
Dani Gay - Lanikai CC Hawaii Coach

“For anyone interested in the Pacific-wide sport of outrigger canoeing this is the definitive look at the sport!”
Canoe & Kayak Magazine USA

“The most important item a paddler should own, is The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing. Without the knowledge of how your equipment works, or where it comes from you may be spinning your wheels. This book is a great read and a must for every paddler. Even the most seasoned paddler will find a benefit to owning this book. For those of you that do get the book, don’t lend it out, you may never get it back!”
Chris O'Keefe, San Diego, California

“I really appreciated the way Steve explained the differences between paddling on OC1 and paddling a V1. It is very well said and I will be quoting him in the future, to make others understand why I prefer spending some time learning to steer a V1 instead of riding an OC1 and hopefully end some unfruitful debates!”
A reader from France

“The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing, is the most comprehensive book on outrigger canoe paddling yet. Essential reading for novices and experienced paddler alike.”
Michelle Shortis, Hong Kong

'If you’re into, or not into, stand up paddling, but want to be educated where it comes from and what it stands for, read this book by Steve West. The more I read, the more I respect the real paddlers of the world!'
Luke Egan, Australian Surfing Legend

“The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing, is an incredibly comprehensive and beautifully presented book covering everything to do with outrigger canoeing, from the technical aspects of the paddle stroke, steering, rigging and catching bumps, through to the cultural heritage and evolution of canoe designs, paddles and races. There is something for everyone in this amazing book, whether a new or experienced paddler. Every time I pick up this book I learn something new and am inspired by the stories and photographs.”
Amanda Ozolins, Australia

“In Steve’s book, everything’s covered from all the great steerers in the world. There’s 20 years of research in the The Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing and the Steering book. I have a copy of every volume of Kanu Culture and consult them often.”
Ian ‘Rambo’ Newland, Australia

'I love the book. It's a brilliant piece of work, it's like a Lonely Planet Guide Book for Stand Up Paddling! I'm extremely impressed with how much research and time has been put into creating this book and I sincerely hope every stand up paddle fan out there goes and grabs a copy!'
Chris Parker, SUPracer.com

Steve West - World Paddle Award Winner for Media 2014 and Inducted into WPA Membership

Steve West - World Paddle Award Winner for Media 2014 and Inducted into WPA Membership

“Steve West should be regarded as one of the best practitioners of the sport, supporter of the culture, chronicler of current races, canoes, trends and so on. His analysis of technique, canoe development, racing history and other aspects of our life, is way more thourough than most. He has a deep and true appreciation for the true feeling and spirit of outrigger canoeing. The photos are the best. I cannot recommend his books too highly enough!”
— Kailua Paddler Hawaii

Writing Career

1980 - 1987 Freelance Journalist for UK, Australian and USA Based Windsurfing Magazines, 1995-2005 10 Books produced - Kanu Culture – Outrigger Canoeing International Handbooks, 2003 Produced Level One Coaching Manual AOCRA Ratified by Australian Sports Commission, Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Canoeing 2005-2007 Produced Kanu Culture Ocean Sports Magazine with Sydney based Publisher 2006 Released, The Art and Skill of Steering - Outrigger Canoeing Book 2007 Released, A Paddler’s Guide to Outrigger Canoeing Book 2010 Commissioned to write Adventure Activities Licensing Authority UK SUP Good Practice Guide 2011  Commissioned to write Level Two Academy of Surfing (ASI) Australia SUP Exposed Waters Course Content 2011 Commissioned to write ASI SUP Water Rescue Course Content 2012 Released, Stand Up Paddle - A Paddlers Guide Book 2012 Commissioned to write Level Three ASI SUP Downwind Course Content 2013 Co-founder of the Water Skills Academy UK 2014 Released OC1 - A Paddlers Guide Book and Released V1 - A Paddler Guide Book, Winner of World Paddler Awards for Media 2015 Admitted into the World Paddle Academy 2023 - Author of ‘Hooked’ Untold Windsurfing Stories 2014-2025 Content writer, SEO specialist to the water sports industry.

Steve West is a respected ocean sports writer, educator and competitor whose 40-year career traces the evolution of modern ocean sports. He began as a professional windsurfer during the sport’s formative years and went on to spend 26 years immersed in outrigger canoeing across the Pacific—competing, researching, writing and helping develop the sport. For the past decade Steve has acted as a consultant to the water sports industry developing stand up paddle boarding equipment, coaching and shaping industry practice.

Together with his wife Mandy, he continues to write for international and regional publications, consult on equipment design and procurement, and mentor athletes and industry stakeholders. Steve’s work bridges athlete experience, technical knowledge and product development—helping to grow and professionalize ocean sports across the Pacific and beyond.

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Beginning in 1989, he has devoted his time to the development of Outrigger Canoeing  throughout the Pacific. Ten books later, he is considered a world  leading authority on the subject, writing the worlds first outrigger  canoeing coaching manual and was Australia’s National Coaching Director for five years and Fiji's National Coaching Consultant to the South  Pacific Games Squad for 6 years.

He has twice won the world championship  Masters division of the prestigious 66km Molokai to Oahu, Molokai Hoe  race and the Hamilton Cup International event on numerous ocassions and remains a record holder in the 16km and 500m team events. His recent focus has been in the development of Stand Up Paddling, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge of open ocean canoe sports.

He is a former RYA and IWS senior instructor and UKBSA open water examiner. As one of the UKs pioneering windsurfing professionals during the late 70s early 80s, he worked extensively in the promotion of windsurfing demonstrating at London, Brighton, Southampton boat shows, water sports events, appearing on TV and radio, contributing regularly to magazines, technical articles, equipment testing and reviews and was a member of the British Boardsailing Display Team.

“Steve is a fantastic writer and photographer and has been an extension of the KIALOA family for many, many years. Actively involved in SUP and Outrigger Canoeing, we welcome him as an ambassador for KIALOA.”
— Meg Chun. Kialoa Bend Oregon USA

Finishing as Britain's 2nd highest place getter at the Bacardi World Cup in 1981 in the Freestyle event and highest finisher in the Ins and Outs event, Steve's preference was for wave sailing without rules. Traveling to Lefkas island in Greece in the early 80s he provided a feasibility study to create what is now one of the largest windsurfing holiday centres in the world, Club Vassiliki. He moved to Australia in 1983 to further pursue his windsurfing career working for magazines, sail makers and event organizers. In 1983 he was the Australian National Freestyle Champion.

“Rarely have I seen a sports publication that delivers this kind of quality and value. For those of us just getting started with paddling, your volumes are a gift from the Gods.”
— Mike Berwind - Maui

He has raced and paddled in some of the world's toughest outrigger canoe events and has worked extensively with Tahiti Tourism, Fiji Visitors Bureau and the Travel Associations of Palau, Guam and Saipan and with Australia's Hamilton Island Resort Management over 14 years in the development and promotion of their International Outrigger Canoeing event.

Additional Achievements / Positions

British Windsurfing Display Team Member
Peter Stuyvesant Windsurfing Display Team Captain
UK Board Sailing Open Sea Examiner
Royal Yachting Association Senior Instructor
International Windsurfing Schools Instructor
First windsurfer to sail on the River Nile.
Co-Founder of the UKs Around Hayling Island Race
Level 1 Coaching Principles (Aust)
Level 2 Coaching Principles (Aust)
Level 1 Outrigger Canoeing Coach (Aust)
Elements of Shipboard Safety (Coxswains)
Co National Coaching Director (Aust) with C. Maynard (5yrs)
Co National Coaching Director(Fiji) with C. Philp (6yrs)
Founder of AOCRA Coaching / Author of Manuals
Founded Kanu Culture 1994
Author of 12 Books on the subject of Outrigger Canoeing
Founding member and Vice President Mooloolaba OCC 1990
Former Vice President Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association
Former Secretary Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association.
Team New Zealand Crew 1998 New Caledonia
Former International Polynesian Canoe Federation Delegate.
2009 AALS (UK) Authored the Good Practice Guide for SUP
2011 Academy of Surfing UK SUP Trainer and Director
2014 Winner of World Paddle Award for Media
2015 Admitted into World Paddle Academy
2014-2022 Mistral International Brand Manager
2014-2022 Mistral Red Dot Design and Production Manager
2022 - Consultant to Mistral

Has raced in these events either once, twice or on multiple occasions. 

Hawaiki Nui Va`a (French Polynesia, Huahine, Raitea, Taha, Bora Bora) x 5
Newport to Catalina (California) x 2, 2nd)
Molokai Hoe (Molokai to Oahu - Hawaii. Master Mens Winner '97 and '98)
Hamilton Cup (Hamilton Island Australia x 15 medals, 10 gold)
Gold Coast Cup (Gold Coast Australia x 7 medals 5 gold)
Marlin Coast OC1 Challenge (Cairns to Port Douglas 35km Winner with C. Maynard)
Micronesian Cup (Saipan and Palau)
Bay of Islands (New Zealand - Winner)
Hauraki Hoe (80km change race - Auckland New Zealand x 2 - runner up on both occasions)
Ouvea to Poindimie (130km Change Race - New Caledonia with Team New Zealand)
Fiji International (Fiji x 3 times)
Giglio Cup (Italy)

The management of Batini Books, Kanu Culture, along with the authors and editors of this website, shall not accept responsibility for any injury, loss or damage caused to any person acting or failing to act upon information arising from material at this website or within the contents of our publications, whether or not such injury, loss or damage is caused by any negligent act, or omission, default or breach of duty by Batini Books, Kanu Culture or its authors and or editors.
© Steve West, Batini Books, Kanu Culture 2012