Lotus Sports Club

Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania's use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles, journeying in double hulled voyaging canoes. From its beginnings as an ancient voyaging craft to becoming a modern day racing canoe, the Hawaiian canoe, known as an outrigger, is gaining widespread popularity. Hawaii became the birthplace of contemporary outrigger canoe racing; with a governing body being established in 1950, the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. The sport has since spread far and wide to Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, France, England, South Africa, Guam, Hong Kong, Australia, and Fiji and is expanding all the time. There are an estimated 25000 outrigger canoe paddlers worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing huge growth.

The first recorded outrigger regatta date is thought to be May 20, 1859, recognizing the birthday of the Prince of Hawaii, son of Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. A relatively new sport in Canada, outrigger canoeing started in 1988 in Vancouver and has grown to include a number of clubs across the country. Since the first outrigger race in Canada, the 1989 Lotus Ironman held by the Lotus Sport Club, the list of outrigger races has become extensive. Today, outrigger races are held worldwide in celebration of the sport. Paddlers range from a young age to that of a senior. Whether itﾒs the thrill of being competitive or the chance to paddle with the seals and to ride the waves, the sport of outrigger paddling is growing in British Columbia.

Our club's active Recreational and Competitive divisions continually offer members the opportunity to meet and socialize with others and to work together towards common goals. One member states; "What I love about Lotus, is that Iﾒve met people whom I now call my friends. I can get a great work out & have fun at the same time."
Now think about this ---- the sky is blue, the ocean rises with each wave, the outrigger slides into the water, paddles are dipped, the call is given, "Take it away". Twelve strokes into the paddle the "hike" is called, followed by the "hut" and "hoe" and blades gracefully change sides as if they are one ﾖ itﾒs another day and the team has a seat open for a new paddler......come join the history, sense the ocean and meet the people who canﾒt stay away from paddling...

Check out our training schedule and our programs. We encourage everyone to give paddling a try.