Outrigger canoeing offers competitive and recreational opportunities. An outrigger canoe is a long, thin canoe that is supported by an outrigger or “ama” that provides stability to the boat. It originated from the Polynesian islands and is commonly paddled in Hawaii and the Pacific islands because it can be paddled through ocean waves. To prevent a capsize (huli), canoes used in adaptive programs are rigged either in a double-hull catamaran configuration or the single hulls are rigged with the addition of a safety “ama” attached to the right side of the canoe. Double hulling is common and is a race category even in international sprint races. Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, a chapter of DSUSA, started using the concept of the safety ama on its single hull boats in 1997 after seeing that sailing outrigger canoes use a secondary flying ama to prevent the boat from capsizing when turning. This is not commonly used by able-bodied paddlers.
American Canoe Association
7432 Alban Station Boulevard
Ste. B-232
Springfield, VA 22150
703-451-0141 / 451-2245 (fax)