As Mauritius Paddling Academy, we focus on three distinct paddling sports, that are in many ways related but also, distinctly unique. These are:.
Dragon boat is a team sport of 20 (the norm) or 10 paddlers plus a drummer and steer.
Outrigging can be a team sport or a solo activity. Different outrigger canoes can accommodate 6 paddlers (OC6) 3 paddlers (OC3), 2 (OC2) or a single paddler. (OC1)
Surf ski is predominantly solo, but also has 2 person boats.
Paddling is a great way to enjoy the environment and being on the water and being “at one” with the environment. For all of these sports, each paddler is immersed in the environment. They become part of the environment. The boat is powered by the paddler, it moves with the water and the paddler needs to learn how to work with the water rather than fight against it. Paddling can be peaceful and meditative or can be exhilarating – depending on where you are and how you do it.
Standard race distances for dragon boat races are 500m. There are also 200m, 1000m, and 2000m. Of the proposed 3 types of paddling, it is the sprint event. Outrigger and Surfski are more the endurance race. Outrigger and Surfski races are measured in Km, with somewhere around 12 to 16Km being an average distance. But also long distance races of 40 to 60Km distances. And change races where paddlers change into the boat during the race.
he basic paddling technique for dragon boat and outrigger are similar except that the technique is applied in a different way for a sprint or endurance. Outrigger and Surfski will work with the water conditions and make use of any surfing opportunities. Surfski has a double blade paddle that is a different paddling technique but works with the same muscle groups
Experience has shown that anyone involved in a particular form of paddling will inevitably migrate to the others, whilst still identifying a particular favourite.
For dragon boat and OC6 the speed of the boat relies upon teamwork and synchronisation between all of the paddlers. Each paddler in tune with everyone else on the boat. Without this, the boat will never move.
Paddling is a very accessible and sociable sport; offering something for every age, ability and pace of life. Paddling tends to be “easy” on the body, free from the impact associated with other endurance sports. It appeals to everyone who enjoys open spaces, salt air and the feeling of being at one with nature. Whether the interest is leisure and relaxation (recreational) or personal challenge and adventure (competitive), paddling has a place for anyone, at any age and ability
Most outrigger paddling can trace its roots to the Polynesian cultures of Tahiti and Hawaii. Outrigger canoes, traditionally called a Va’a, have a history rich in 5000 years of traditions and innovations.
They were typically used as a means of transportation between islands and became ingrained in Polynesian culture. Polynesian people used to sail the seas and each travel could take weeks, even months. Each member of the crew was attributed a defined role, a mission to support the tribe. When the sea was still, the group would paddle sitting on floats in order to steer their course while women would take care of maintaining weavings and strengthen ties. Before setting sail, they would load seedlings and animals such as pigs or hens so as to introduce it to their brand new islands. They always made sure of stocking up on food, bringing fresh and dried foodstuffs like coconuts, sweet potatoes, taro, bananas, breadfruits and others.
Traditionally outrigger canoe paddling took place in a canoe with six paddlers (OC-6 or six man canoes). In former times, the va’a used to be essential to Polynesian people; it was an easiest way to fish and a great means of transport, especially when it was time to go to war. It used to be fundamental in everyday life. So as to get their bearings among the vast ocean, men used to navigate the ancestral way, following the stars and paying attention to both wind and swell.
Today, outrigger canoeing is a popular sport, recreational activity and a great way to enjoy picturesque views of Mauritius whilst also getting exercise. Benefits of paddling include a great upper body workout, as well as cardiovascular endurance. Paddling tends to be “easy” on the body, free from the impact associated with other endurance sports.
Dragon boat racing emerged as far back as 2,500 years ago, during the Warring States Period (402-221BC). Originating among fishing communities along the Yangtze River in Southern-Central China, it was initially a folk ritual designed to appease the rain gods, encourage rainfall and celebrate the summer rice planting.
The Tuen Ng Festival is associated with the myth of Qu Yuan, which emerged in written form as early as the 7th century AD. Qu Yuan was a poet and high-ranking official of the Warring States Period who was exiled from his state by a corrupt king. When he heard that his court had been destroyed by enemies, he drowned himself out of sorrow. It is said that villagers went out in the river with boats and drums to try to rescue his body and threw sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) into the water to prevent fish from eating his corpse, but they were unable to find him. The date of Qu Yuan’s suicide was the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the same day that the Tuen Ng Festival is celebrated. In addition, zongzi are traditionally eaten on this day.
It wasn’t until 1976 that dragon boat racing was revitalized, starting when the Hong Kong government (then under British rule), began to promote the sport in order to boost tourism. Thus began the modern era of the celebration. In 1991, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was established along with a set of institutional rules and regulations governing the sport. Now, dragon boat racing is practised in over sixty countries around the world, including China, who boasts 50 million dragon boaters. The IDBF Dragon Boat World Championships draws thousands of athletes from different countries every two years. THe next World Championships will be held back in Hong Kong in 2021
Contact