Aug 14 2010
Outriggers Invade Santa Barbara Channel
A horde of outrigger canoes from across Southern California have descended on the Channel Islands Harbor for the 1st Annual Anacapa Classic outrigger canoe race.
Twelve people on a team will paddle 6-man outriggers to Anacapa Island and back. They actually switch teams along the way with 6 in the canoe and 6 on a support boat. At intervals they will put fresh arms onboard to complete the approximately 23 mile course. Teams are made up of 6 men and 6 women.
The course will take them through both of the shipping lanes, twice, that handle freighters coming in and out of Los Angeles. As well, the winds are supposed to pick up to as much as 25 knots in the late afternoon. In fact by 3pm there is a small craft warning here. So the run home could become interesting. Wind and waves will certainly be pushing them back to the harbor! We wish them safe paddling!
Sounds like torture to be on one of those today. Cold, foggy, breeze already picking up, long way out there and back. Give my buddies at Vessel Assist something to do all day!
The outrigger teams are back! The leaders completed the 20+ mile course in about 4.5 hours. That is impressive. As fast as a fast sailboat ride!
Buddy of mine took third. Way to go, Tom!