About Manu'iwa Outrigger

Manu'iwa Outrigger operates out of Milford, Connecticut on the corner of Bittersweet and Broadway. Download club manual.

Our Vision

Manu'iwa's philosophy focuses on perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and spirit through outrigger canoeing. We work hard to combine an appreciation for family, nature, community, and competitiveness while having lots of fun. While we focus a large part of our efforts in competing in an east coast point-series, we welcome all paddlers.

History

The Manu’iwa Outrigger Canoe Club was founded in 1995 by a group of paddling enthusiasts with the intent of representing the Greater New England area in local as well as international paddling events.  Our main purpose is to perpetuate the unique and ancient sport of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoeing. The club’s membership consists of experienced marathon canoe paddlers, some of whom have competed on the National level and who were looking for another dimension in paddle sports. Furthermore, the intrigue of being involved in a new and exciting sporting activity has been a major contributing factor to the clubs success. As a club, the short term goal is to host/participate in many paddling events here on the East Coast with the intent of being the nucleus of a growing community of outrigger paddling clubs.  Our long term goals are to provide our local community with a sport that would interest youngsters and allow them a venue for pent up energies.

The club is a founding member of ECORA (East Coast Outrigger Racing Association). 

Club Fleet

Being one of the first on the East Coast to have Force Five canoes on the water, our fleet has grown and evolved over the years.  Here is a brief rundown of boat pasts and present.

Basic boat types are OC-6 (outrigger canoe 6 person) and OC-4 (outrigger canoe 4 person) The standard dimensions for an OC-6 is 45’ long and an empty weight of 400 pounds, fully rigged to be considered “official race legal” In the OC-4 class, the boat length is 30’ and an empty weight of 190 pounds. In both the OC-6 and OC-4 class, the team is steered from the last (rear-most) seat position as both boat types are rudderless. The steersperson has a larger paddle blade then the rest of the team that they use to affect the boat’s direction by posting it alongside the hull and becoming for lack of better term, a movable rudder either on the port or starboard side of the boat.

Waioli (Singing Water) – This is Manu’iwa’s first boat.  She becomes the template for all Force 5’s on the East Coast.
Kapeka (Elizabeth) – This is the 3rd pull of the mold used to make Waioli.  She is named after the 1 year old daughter of a friend of the club who passed on to the heavens too soon.
Both Waioli and Kapeka have since found new kai to paddle as they have been given to other clubs to help them build their fleet. 

Current Boats
Lokahi (Together) – This is the primary boat for our wahine team. She’s a Force 5 with a white hull and red deck
Ehu Kai (Sea Spray) – One of two boats used by da kane team when racing. She is a white on white Mirage.
Pilialoha (In a bond of Love) – Pilialoha is a jointly owned boat with Namolokama Canoe Club of Kauai, Hawaii and is a red, white and blue Bradley Lightning. This is the second racing boat for da kane and sitting in seat 7 is our brah Mick.
Kailipoloahilani (Kaili, To reach for the stars) – Kaili is one of our main training boats. She is a red on white Force 5
Lastly, but not least is Pu’uwai- (from the heart) – She is an OC-4 and has a red deck on a white hull.  Otherwise known as “The Duke” this boat is used mainly for practice sessions and training.

Officers

Blake Conant, Founder and Coach
Cindy Sloan, President
Aimee Apatow, Vice President
Cindy Scope, Secretary
Lou Fernous, Treasurer