18123_NSFM-mei-2021_Guts_Totaal_UK_1_Spreads_LR

guts
stories
Wayne Jongerius
Commercial
Manager &
member CMT
Aartsen Asia.
What is outrigger canoeing?
Outrigger canoeing is an endurance sport where you
race in single and six-paddler canoes with lateral floats
called outriggers attached to the hull. Ocean races can
be 40 kilometres or more.
What are the sport's cultural roots?
In search of land, the first people arrived on Hawaii in
canoes 1,800 years ago. Originally, those were simple
boats, but in the 1980s outrigger canoeing became the
official state sport of Hawaii.
What drew you to this sport?
Knowing my love of the water, two years ago a couple
friends asked if I wanted to come dragon boat racing
with them. Later, a few of our team members started
outrigger canoeing in long-distance competitions.
I've noticed it has helped improve my work-life
balance. I attribute that to the fact that, out on the
ocean, you're automatically offline.
Is it dangerous? Have you ever
been in dangerous situations
yourself?
It can be dangerous if you're not well prepared.
The most dangerous situation I was ever in, was
when the outrigger on my single-paddler canoe
broke. My canoe was capsized five kilometres
off the coast in stormy waters. Lucky for me,
I'd taken along a length of rubber inner tubing
and managed to use that to fasten the
outrigger to my canoe and paddle back.
It took me almost a half hour to repair,
in waves nearly two metres high.
Is it physically demanding?
With each stroke you're locking your paddle
in the water, pulling you and your canoe
forwards. That takes a massive amount of
physical strength, even more on long
distances going against the wind
and/or current.
Do you get a kick from it?
The ocean can be a real beast: waves,
currents, wind, rain, water... Weather
forecasts help, but in the end you never know
exactly what the conditions on the water will
be untill you're out there. It's always different
and that's a thrill, especially when conditions
are tough.
Would you recommend this
to anyone, or do you need
certain traits or skills?
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a
challenge. You've got to be a good, natural
swimmer, though, because if your canoe
winds up turning over, you have to stay calm.
nonstop
fresh/ 11