A Day at the Races

Most people know what an outrigger is — it’s that canoe-like
boat thingy that the Polynesians used to paddle from island to
island in the South Pacific; it’s the floaty you rode the waves in
as a tourist in Hawai‘i. While you’d be right in both cases,
outrigger canoe paddling is also a serious sport, both in
California and Hawai‘i. The spirit behind the sport of outrigger
paddling is Hawaiian Albert “Toots”Minvielle. In 1951, he organized
the first Molokai Channel race; in 1959, he brought the sport to
California, with a race from Avalon, Catalina, to Newport
Beach.

This Saturday, July 22, you can watch from Leadbetter Beach as
hundreds of athletes — who come from all over California, Oregon,
Arizona, Washington, and Canada — paddle their 400-pound, 45-foot
long, 20-inch wide canoes in the 23rd annual Outrigger State Sprint
Championships. Hosted by the Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club,
the racers (six to a canoe) run a 500-meter course, making turns
around flag markers, all highly visible from the shore. The fun
begins with a traditional Polynesian opening ceremony and the
blessing of the canoes and athletes. There will also be booths,
hula dancing, music, food, and spirits.

— Michelle Drown

4·1·1 Sat,, July 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Leadbetter.
Call 565-5522 or visit www.sbocc.org.