Ready for some history? Canada’s outrigger roots are cause for celebration, and this year’s Lotus Iron OC6 race (6 July) marks a milestone indeed. Read on!

This year’s Lotus Iron event marks the 30th anniversary of outrigger canoe racing in Canada. 30 years ago, the “Lotus Eaters” and a team from False Creek were drawn from athletes across various paddling backgrounds who were introduced through a demonstration dragon boat race during Expo ’86 in Vancouver. These two teams quickly became fierce yet friendly competitors in dragon boats, a competitive spirit that was transferred to outrigger racing on the lower mainland.

Canada’s first OC6 canoe was produced from a Malia outrigger mold obtained from California. Members from the Lotus Sports and False Creek Racing Canoe Clubs used this mold to make several Malia outrigger canoes.

In 1989, the Lotus Sports Club organized Canada’s first outrigger race, the Lotus Ironman Race, at Barnet Marine Park. Since this beginning, the sport of outrigger canoe racing has grown in popularity across the Pacific northwest. Today’s extensive list of Canadian outrigger races includes host clubs and competitors from across the country.

In recognition of this milestone, the Lotus Sports Club is planning on making this year’s race a special event. Come and celebrate with us! For registration information, CLICK HERE.

27 crews participated in FGPC’s 13.5km Brotchie Reach crew boat races on Saturday 4 May. Aside from a start-line huli, a mid-race bridge lift for a barge, and the inevitable ferry and aircraft traffic, the day ran smoothly and presented all crews with competitive race conditions on unusually calm seas. Safe racing is a tribute to the calibre and good sportsmanship of all participating crews. Special acknowledgement is due to Maple Bay’s mixed outrigger crew for recovering from a crowded start-line huli and completing the race like professionals. And kudos, as always, to all steerspeople for navigating Victoria’s complex working harbour without incident. Open water races within Victoria’s commercial harbour and busy aerodrome would not be possible without the diligence and good instincts of every steersperson on the water. Well done, one and all!

CLICK HERE for race results.

The 2019 PNWORCA Winter Series winner for the Peter Forand Masters Challenge is once again Mignon Fontenelle (Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club) in the Women Masters 40+ OC1 Division. The 2019 PNWORCA Winter Series event organizers recognize Mignon Fontenelle for the second consecutive year as the Peter Forand Masters Challenge winner after the Winter Series championship race in accordance with guidelines as the Female or Male Masters (40+ / 50+ / 60+ / 70+) paddler with the highest number of points across all age / gender brackets at the end of the Winter Series.

Congratulations to Mignon Fontenelle as she continues to demonstrate commitment and excellence in Winter Series small-boat racing.

It was a successful 2019 PNWORCA Winter Series for Canadian paddlers as well who competed in a minimum of 3 races:

• Tony Hodanic – OC1 Men Open – 2nd Place Overall in the Series
• Ken Asano – OC1 Men Masters 50+ – 3rd Place Overall in the Series
• Bob Stewart – OC1 Men Masters 60+ – 3rd Place Overall in the Series
• Robbie Magus – V1 Men Masters 40+ – 1st Place Overall in the Series (Team Canada Distance 2019)
• Graeme Galves – V1 Men Masters 50+ – 1st Place Overall in the Series
• Jaye Kerzner – V1 Women Masters 60+ – 1st Place Overall in the Series (Team Canada Distance 2019)

For more information about the Peter Forand Masters Challenge, CLICK HERE