Rigged Out

Fall 2008

Outriggers great for starting both fitness and friendship

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

Joanne Nicolson, left, and Sheila Porteous take an OC2 through the paces in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

By Sheila Porteous

Being overweight and out of shape makes it difficult to enter the world of fitness. As a thirty-something generation “Xer,” health and fitness have become daunting concerns.

Yes, we all know physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, breast and colon cancer while improving musculoskeletal strength and mental health. Better yet, a consistent exercise routine can reduce the amount of necessary interventions and medications, while improving the overall management of chronic disease.

I know all about chronic conditions: I have a congenital heart defect that requires an implantable defibrillator for backup, and knees so riddled with arthritis that my tibia bones are starting to bend like bows for firing arrows. My problem is finding a sport that will contribute to a full body and cardiovascular workout. I am not prepared to join a gym filled with the twenty-something, lycra-wearing crowd. Running does not agree with my ruined knees. Hockey, soccer and other team sports are often difficult to schedule into a life full of work, school and family. Besides that, team sports often have complicated rules, and worst of all spectators.

Swimming, touted as the gentlest sport, is something I can’t engage in without a certain Raffi song about belugas repeating in the back of my mind – much to my chagrin.

Unwilling to give in, I searched for years to find the right fitness activity. My strengths are based on sitting, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. I am also a social person who enjoys the company and motivation of others while exercising. With such talents in mind, I happened upon paddling. The sport of outrigger canoeing is expanding worldwide and it's not surprising: this physical activity is accessible, affordable, flexible, and offers a complete body workout.

There are seven clubs associated with the Canadian Outrigger Association (CORA) here on Vancouver Island alone, making it a convenient and accessible sport. There are three clubs along Victoria’s scenic Gorge waterway. Membership includes all the equipment you will need to get started in the sport, including use of the boats. The clubs have paddles, personal flotation devices (PFDs), lights for the boats and, of course, a variety of racing kayaks and canoes.

The OC6 is the most popular canoe. It seats six people, is easy to get in and out of and is the most stable boat. People with disabilities, including those who require wheelchairs, can also participate in this sport with the willing support of their team. OC1s are boats suited to a single paddler, while OC2s are boats built for two.

All you will need is some comfortable, wet weather exercise wear and you’re set.

The goals of individual paddlers vary. Some thrive on racing and competition, others crave personal fitness and achievement, and some engage in paddling for purely recreational purposes. Even in an OC6, fitness goals can vary for each person in the boat. A person can paddle at 100% effort while someone in the seat behind them paddles at 50%; the boat still moves forward. People who choose to enter paddling competitions will team up before races and enter events with individuals who have similar goals. For some people, racing is never a consideration.

Once you have mastered the basic stroke, the sport itself is painless and meditative. Often in the winter, when paddling after dark, there is nothing but you, the boat and your paddle to think about. Teammates typically chatter and joke while out in the boat; as a result, friendships often develop (and sometimes even romance arises!).

Outrigging is a sport well-suited to rainy West Coast winters. In Victoria, on days where the wind is blowing, a team can travel up the Gorge in relative safety away from the wind. The Gorge waterway and the Inner Harbour are beautiful all year round. On sunny and calm days, a moderately skilled team can enjoy exploring Victoria’s breakwater and beyond.

Generally speaking, paddlers are a friendly and welcoming group that is disinclined to judge someone on their size or athletic ability. Often the most important part of being a “good paddler” is simply showing up with a positive attitude. People in paddling clubs have a plethora of personalities, ranging from shy to incredibly outgoing. Outrigging offers someone striving toward fitness social opportunities as well as a way to gently increase their overall fitness level at their own pace.

Sheila Porteous has been an enthusiastic paddler for many years and divides her time between kayaking and outrigger paddling. In order to help people with barriers enter the world of kayaking, she is obtaining her Assistant Overnight Guide certification through SKGABC.