Rigging Lesson from Coach John

Rigging the ‘Iako to the Ama

1. Stretch out the rope
2. Place a rubber pad between the ‘iako and the ama
3. Position the ‘iako on the ama
4. Tie one end of the rope to the ‘iako
5. Thread the rope through the outside hole from the side of the ama facing away from the canoe
6. Bring the rope over the ‘iako
7. Thread the rope through the inside hole from the side of the ama facing away from the canoe
8. Pull the rope tight and make sure the rope lays flat on the ‘iako and does not ride up the peg
9. Repeat steps 5 through 8 until there are at least 5 rows of rope criss-crossing the ‘iako
10. Wrap the rope tightly around the base of where the ‘iako touches the ama at least 3 times
11. Keep the rope in rows: one on top of the other
12. Untie the end of the rope that was tied around the ‘iako
13. Make a large loop with that end of the rope that lays flat against the ‘iako
14. Wrap this loop you just made with the longer end of the rope going around and around the i’ako
15. Leave at least 4-6 inches of the end of the loop exposed
16. Also leave the top of the loop exposed
17. Tie a large knot with the end of the rope you have used for wrapping
18. Push the knot through the top of the exposed loop
19. Pull the end the the loop to bring the knot to the top of the rope wrapping
20. Make sure you don’t pull the knot inside the rope wrapping
21. Tie the excess end of the rope around a peg

Parts of the Canoe & Paddle

The image above is from the Kihei Canoe Club.

Wa’a	General word for “Canoe”
Wa’a Kaukahi	Single hull canoe with one outrigger
Ama	Outrigger float
‘Iako	Wooden boom that connects the main hull of the canoe to the ama
Muku	The end of the ‘iako on the right side of the canoe
‘Aha	Rope, cord
Kaula Likini	Rigging; lashings
Kino/Ka’ele	Hull; “body” of the canoe
Wae	Spreaders on which the ‘iakos are attached to the hull
Noho	Seat
Ihu Wa’a	Bow (front end of the canoe)
Manu Ihu	Nose, forward piece of the canoe
Pale Kai	Splash guard to divert waves from going into the canoe; don’t hold when you are moving or lifting the canoe
Hope Wa’a	Stern (back end of the canoe)
Manu Hope	Tail, aft piece of the canoe
Hoe	Paddle
Laulau	Blade
Ku’au	Shaft
Pōheoheo	T-grip knob at the top of the paddle

Image from Pa’a Pono Miloli’i

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

While it is not required, our club encourages paddlers to wear a personal flotation device (PFD, e.g. a life jacket). If you do not have your own, you may borrow one of the basic orange PFDs which fits around the neck and ties around the torso. Also, six of these orange PFDs are kept in each canoe when we paddle in case they are needed.

The most popular brand of PFD among BOCC paddlers is Vaikobi. However, some paddlers also wear dragon boat style PFDs.

Although optional, wearing a PFD would definitely be good if you were ever in cold water. Here is a classic video of what happens to your body in cold water and how you can maximize your survival in that emergency situation.

Vaikobi

Vaikobi is the most popular brand of personal flotation device (PFD) worn by our members. On its website, you can also purchase paddling clothing and accessories. Vaikobi PFDs are made specifically for paddlers: they allow you to have a wide range of motion so it doesn’t interfere with your stroke, and they do not ride up when you sit in the canoe.

If you would like to try on a Vaikobi PFD for sizing or fit, ask one of our members who wears one if he or she would let you try it on, or you can go to 101 Surf Sports; call ahead to see if they have any in stock.

Kialoa

Kialoa is a popular brand of paddles which many of our members have. Sometimes, this company offers discounts on blems, i.e. paddles with a slight imperfection on the decorative design which doesn’t impact the paddle’s actual structure. On its website, you can also purchase a personal seat cushion for the canoe, PFDs, and paddle bags & covers. If you paddle with us as a guest, you will probably use one of our adjustable paddles from Kialoa.

Palafamala

Many of our paddlers use paddles from Palafamala and are happy with them.

Sizing Your Paddle

Overview of How to Do Water Changes

1. Those changing leave paddle in the canoe, jump up and out of the canoe on the
   right side.
2. At the same time Steersman maneuvers to pick up new paddles who
   will climb in on the left.
   • It helps to mark the canoe with tape so the incoming paddler/s know where to grab on to climb in.
3. The crew in the canoe should continue paddling.
4. Support boat will pick up paddlers who have exited the canoe.

Here is a clip of some members of He’e Nalu doing water changes at the 2017 Na Pali Challenge.

Huli Recovery Video

Here is a great video from our sister club, Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai, that explains how to recover from a huli. This video gives a good basic overview of the standard procedure.

However, in the BOCC version that we use, #2 and #5 straddle the canoe while #3 and #4 help to push the ama up. Then, once the canoe has been re-righted, #3 gets into the canoe first on the right side to begin bailing followed by #4. Meanwhile, #2 and #5 hold down the ama to stabilize the canoe.