 Picture Credit: Alexandre Weiss |
The outrigger canoe, or wa'a, has been an integral part of Hawaiian culture for centuries. These canoes were originally used for fishing, transportation, and exploration, and were expertly crafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques. The wa'a is unique in its design, featuring a single hull with an attached outrigger for stability. This allowed the canoe to navigate the rough waters of the Pacific Ocean, and enabled the Polynesians to embark on long voyages of discovery. Today, the outrigger canoe is still an important part of Hawaiian culture, with canoe clubs and races keeping the tradition alive. Outrigger canoes continue to be important in the Hawaiian life. It is therefore not a surprise that there are regular racing contests with these canoes. Currently, between the 15th and 24th of August is the IVF World Sprint Championship in Hilo followed by the Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races between the 29th Aug and 2nd of Sep also in Hilo. IVF World Sprint Championships 2024: https://www.worldsprints2024hilo.org/ |