15. The Paddle A well designed, handcrafted timber paddle is surely a work of art. Beautiful in form, soft to the touch, the va`a paddle represents to the paddler, the most important and expensive accessory they will purchase.

16. Significant Events  That Changed Technique Ultimately, no reasonable discussion regarding va`a paddling technique and style can be complete without some understanding of its evolution and acknowledgment of key events and interventions.

17. Cultural Preferences for Single and Double Bends  The decision to use either a single or double-bend paddle is, for many paddlers, a decision based on ergonomics and how comfortable the paddle ‘feels’. However, we need to take this ‘feeling’ one step further.  

18. Different Strokes for Different Folks  The va`a racing paddler is increasingly concerned with perfecting a personal paddling style. While we may define a particular paddling technique as ‘best’ for a given paddle craft, we must remember that there is no one style that is best for all paddlers.

19. Understanding Some Fundamentals  ‘Canoe and kayak paddling, together with rowing are the only sports where all participants are required to do the same thing, all at the same time. Well, unless you include bobsledding and anyway, that’s on hard water!’ Terry Wallace - Hawai`i

20. The Va`a Forward Stroke  Many arm-chair theories regarding the va`a paddling stroke exist. When dragon boat or C1 forward stroke theories are dragged screaming into the context of the va`a, differences between the craft and the environments in which they are paddled seem overlooked.

21. Steering Strokes  The position of steerer within a team va`a is quiet simply the most critical, challenging and technical of all the seats. Without a good steerer, the va`a is mere flotsam drifting aimlessly and as a consequence, a liability.

22. Chasing Bumps - Stroking  Surfers surf ocean ground swells generated by distant storms which pitch and break over shallow water. Ocean paddlers predominately pursue a completely different ocean energy; wind generated surface waves or ‘wind swell’ often referred to simply as the ‘sea’.

23. Change Overs - An Added Dimension  Distance races that incorporate change-overs add a dimension to va`a racing that is totally unique to the sport. It adds a dynamic that gives it a hardcore edge, an element of danger and intensity which increases the potential for error. 

24. Bailing  A va`a bailer ka va`a [Hawai`i] or tata [French Polynesia] is a vital piece of safety equipment for the va`a paddler. Throughout Oceania, bailers were designed and constructed in a number of ways but they were always carved from wood.

25. Capsize - Causes, Prevention and Recovery  The capsize of a wa`a is a very significant event, and the manner and speed with which the crew deals with it is critical. Though wa`a are prone to capsize, when well rigged, capsize is nearly always due to the fault of the crew.

26. Calling the 'Huts'  The ‘Sit and Switch’ style of paddling was developed by Eugene Jenson for canoe racing while training for the 800km Bemidji to Minneapolis race. The call of ‘hut’ is the cue to switch paddling sides, though ancient va`a paddlers had their own system; including whistling.

27. Crew Selection  No matter how fair and reasonable the system a coach has in place for determining crew selection, someone will always feel hard done by when left out. It is important that the coach be able to justify their reasons as they refer the paddler back through the selection criteria.  

28. Safety Issues  Outrigger canoeists have been extremely fortunate in terms of avoiding tragedy, though there have been incidents. Without the benefit of statistics, heart failure seems the most common cause of death while paddling.

29. Road Trips  One of many factors making participation in this sport so enticing, addictive and alluring is the uniquely beautiful locations where it is practiced; allowing you to combine overseas travel, vacation time and sport all in the one package in a way that few others can emulate.