azcentral.com - April 2007

     Allen Abad, founder and president of Team Arizona Outrigger Canoe Club, gets his boats ready for Saturday’s regatta on Tempe Town Lake. The lake this week is floating the boats of scores of folks practicing for the Outrigger Canoe Regatta. The regatta is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Outrigger canoes that evolved in Hawaii and dragon boats that originated in ancient China will row up and down Tempe’s lake. “When I grew up in Hawaii, outriggers were a part of my life,’’ said Abad, of Mesa. “Now the sport has traveled all over the world; there are four teams in Arizona alone.’’ The outriggers are about 44 feet long and can weigh up to 400 pounds, Abad said. Originally, they were carved from native koa wood, but most now are made of fiberglass. This year, the Arizona Dragon Boat Association will join the regatta and competitors will be on hand from California, Nevada and Arizona. Hula dancers and singers will perform. The event is free and open to the public. Spectators should go to Town Lake Marina on the north side of Town Lake, west of Rural Road. Information: www.tempeoutrigger.com/index.htm

     Outrigger canoe team members say that beyond the friendship and exercise of their sport, there is something mystical, too. "It's about the spirit of the canoe,'' said Mike Balik, of Kauai, visiting the Valley and attending the regatta. "When you are in the water and are one with the canoe, you are taken somewhere else that is wonderful,'' he said. "You can feel it here on Tempe's lake, and when you are in the ocean, with dolphins coming alongside, with the sea air, you are transported.''

     Team Arizona Outrigger Canoe Club members get ready for practice on Tempe Town Lake. Team member Tanya Pacanas, of Apache Junction, said she likes the friendship and fun in the club, but also says the paddling, "is terrific exercise. "It's some kind of a workout; and you're also in a beautiful environment on the lake.'' Six people paddle an outrigger, but the dragon boats that also will be in the regatta can have more than 20 paddlers. Traditional dragon boats can range from about 30 to 100 feet in length, with as many as 48 paddlers, but are only wide enough to seat two paddlers side by side. Fitted with a carved dragon head and tail, they represent the mythical creature itself. The traditional boat is made of teak and can weigh upwards of 1000 pounds. Modern boats consist of new synthetic materials.

William Hermann/Republic
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