Paddling Vegas
And now for another sort of Business Beyond the Reef. Pacific islanders have raced their outriggers against each other for centuries, but modern outrigger racing got its start in 1908 when the Outrigger Canoe Club and Hui Nalu teams were formed in Hawaii. The sport really hit its stride after World War II and has expanded ever since. The epicenter is still Hawaii, but there are very strong paddling programs in French Polynesia, Australia, California and many other places. Outrigger races can be found in Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong and the recent Molokai Hoe (the Super Bowl of the sport) even had a team from Russia. So, it shouldn’t surprise that we were racing in Vegas this weekend.
Outriggers on Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas has the largest Hawaiian population outside of Hawaii and is often referred to as the 9th island. Every fall there is an Hawaiian festival at Lake Las Vegas (yes, there is water) and the paddling regatta is the centerpiece. I’m part of a rowdy bunch from Oahu sponsored by a small company called “Hawaiian ‘Nuff Said”, joined this year by Hawaii Air Cargo (see, there is a business angle to this post). Our team is unusual in that it is built around its “masters” paddlers (50 or older), though we have teams of all ages. We have been the overall winner of the Vegas regatta twice.
My own race was a catastrophe. This was a sprint of perhaps half a mile with four boats. We got a slow start (largely my fault as I sit in the first seat and set the pace), but made up some of the lost ground on the first leg of an out-and-back course. We had a super turn, coming out in 2nd and gaining. Then, we felt ourselves get pushed sharply to the right, almost ending up in the marshes at lakeside. The 4th place boat had hit the 3rd place boat, who in turn hit us. Chaos and we finished last. Business Beyond Belief.
