BOSTON OUTRIGGER
We are dedicated to expanding the sport of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe racing along the East Coast.
“Hoe Wa’a i ke kai Boston!”
What we are
Paddle the Boston Seas
Boston Outrigger has room for interested recruits!
Send us a note!
Commitment
Our team consists of really busy women and men (twenty-something to seventy-something) with demanding professional and family commitments. To maintain balance in our lives, we take on another commitment to ourselves and each other.
“Paddling as One”
“Paddling as one” at sunrise in an oceanic canoe rejuvenates us physically, mentally, and emotionally. We reap a spillover of vitality that benefits our personal and professional lives.
Cultivate Respect
Our team is very structured out of necessity. Quite simply, we have to get to work in the morning. We rise before the sun and make wise use of time. We take pride in mutual accountability and cultivate mutual respect.
What is outrigger canoeing?
Outrigger Canoes 101
01
Ancient Tradition
Outrigger Canoes (OCs) are ocean-going vessels developed and used by the peoples in the South Pacific to move from island to island.
02
Teamwork
All of our OCs are multi-person watercraft. We currently have a four-person canoe and three six-person canoes. The front five people paddle and the last person steers the boat.
03
Technique
If you haven’t done any canoe paddling before, the technique takes a little time to get comfortable with. But we provide gentle coaching and promise that the rewards and fun are worth it!
Location & conditions
We paddle out of Waikiki Beach in Salem, Massachusetts in Salem Sound
60°F
Safety
We know that water sports carry inherent risks. We take our safety seriously.
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some questions that people new to the club often have about who we are and how we operate.
Can I join without any paddling equipment?
Absolutely. We understand that the basic tools of the sport are not cheap and we have PFDs (life vests) and club-owned paddles that newcomers can use and try before acquiring their own.
Does the club participate in races?
We are not a race-centric club, but we do participate in The Blackburn Race in Gloucester, MA annually, and other races around the country if our members are interested and want to form a team. We have done races in NYC, DC, Hawaii, and Upstate NY, among others.
Do I need previous experience paddling?
Not at all! Outrigger Canoeing is still a fairly rare sport outside of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. We welcome complete beginners who want to try it out and learn. Nearly all of our members were trained by our club on the sport’s technique.
How much does it cost?
We try to keep our club costs to a minimum for our members. Currently we charge $250 for a yearly membership, which includes access to all our normal practice paddle sessions. Drop-in sessions can be had for $20, but you must contact us ahead of time. (Space in the boats is obviously limited.)
Where do you launch from?
Thanks to their ongoing generosity, we currently store our boats on the Plummer Youth Promise property on Winter Island in Salem, MA. Access is walk-in only, so we park up on the main road and take the 10 minute walk down to our staging area.
Have additional questions?
We’d love to hear from you!