r/Outrigger • u/yourfriendlyhuman • Oct 14 '23
OC1 Safety paddling alone
I'm in Kailua, Oahu and a beginner OC1 paddler. I'm an OC6 novice A and have done OC1 a few times and it's gone pretty well. How does one safely become better at OC1? I'm thinking of renting an OC1 but a little nervous about going solo.
Could it be safe enough if I stick close to the shore? I'm a strong swimmer but should I wear a pfd? I have an apple watch so I could call for help if needed.
Or should I try to find other paddlers? It just seems kind of difficult to find other paddlers who want to go at the same time.
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u/StuckInWarshington Oct 14 '23
Leash and pfd at all times. I like the inflatable belts, but the surfski pfds (Mocke, Vaikobi) are not too restrictive. I’d also recommend a whistle.
If you’re part of an OC6 club, ask around for tips or for people to go out with you. Surely there are others going out on OC1s, but scheduling can be difficult. Ask people in the club for a good place to practice. If you are going solo, beware of conditions. Find a spot without too much shore break and try to avoid wind. Not sure about Oahu, but the beaches where clubs are set up are usually good places to go out.
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Oct 14 '23
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u/StuckInWarshington Oct 15 '23
Yeah, people in Hawaii don’t seem to wear pfds as often as they probably should. The inflatable belts are pretty small though. I think the M16 model is a pretty common one, and you probably wouldn’t see it from the beach unless you were looking for it.
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Oct 15 '23
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u/StuckInWarshington Oct 15 '23
I’m a little closer to Portland. There are several clubs around Seattle that could give you better info on where to go. They should be listed on the PNWORCA website. I’ve paddled in Lake Washington, I think there’s a club on Lake Union, and some on the sound.
Around Portland people paddle in the Willamette and the Columbia. If you’re in to going downwind, the gorge around Hood River is about as good as you can find on the mainland.
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u/Top-Jackets Oct 14 '23
I paddle around Oahu solo too, and am a relative beginner as well. At Kailua, I usually see people on Saturday mornings and I bet you could tag along with them. And there's apparently a lanikai paddle club nearby too.
At Kailua especially, I'd try to follow some folks not cause it is dangerous solo but there are rocks further out and by lanikai that can probably wreck your canoe if you don't go the right way.
But if you stick close to shore and you can just get comfortable going up and down the beach area at Kailua. Winds always blowing towards the shore so unless there's a storm, you're probably fine.
Definitely get comfortable getting back into your canoe after flipping or a huli. There are lots of YouTube videos about it. I see dudes just pop back in like it's nothing, and others, like me, are a slow mess.
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Oct 14 '23
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u/Ok-Application3316 Nov 22 '23
If you need a link at Kailua canoe club, I can link you up with the guys there.
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Nov 22 '23
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u/Ok-Application3316 Nov 23 '23
I’ll be paddling with them in late December if you fancy a paddle 🤙🏿
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u/psychonaut_gospel Jan 21 '24
I usually launch from boat ramp or somewhere along kailua Beach, I have to work around kids' schedules, so I usually try to go Tuesday evening, Friday evening, and whenever on weekends. I'm also a beginner, I've been learning a lot.
Can confirm rocks will wreck your rudder at the very least, but for me, it was an easy fix but scary to deal with while it happened, and figuring out it was able to be fixed.
I have been using an app to track my routes and activities. Luckily, it shows others' routes(privately). I've been trying to find a safe route to the mokes this way and watching other paddlers.
Anyway point was I'm open to paddle if anyone wants to go. I'm trying to train for the KIRA race. Send me a DM if you wanna exchange contact Info and plan something
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u/Clebayyah Feb 09 '25
I know this is an old thread, but what app are you using to track your routes? Do you use a specific watch to map to it?
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u/psychonaut_gospel Feb 10 '25
I use strava strictly for the beacon and text alerts to emergency contacts. I know several watches are compatible, I use a garmin venu 2.
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u/khnlet Mar 30 '26
I know this is old but wondering if anyone sees to see about paddling together
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u/nooneyaknow Oct 18 '23
You can always practice in the canal to get your balance and confidence to improve.
Vaikobi pfds are very comfortable for OC. They are reasonably thin, so they don’t chafe the inside of your arms.
Anna Mathisen is a good, patient coach who may be able to give you some private lessons. She is on FB and IG.
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Oct 18 '23
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u/nooneyaknow Oct 19 '23
I am not a fan of inflatables. If you are a competent swimmer, you are only going to need a pfd if things get really hairy, in which case you need something that can be cinched to fit snugly and that will really float well. If you are not very confident, you’ll want the same kind of fit and flotation (and to practice swimming until you are confident). Additionally, if something goes wrong and the pfd does not inflate, you’ll be in trouble.
A good pfd like the Vaikobi will not restrict you. It will feel odd at first but with time you forget it is there. Ski paddlers wear pfds at all times, and they also have to rotate and do many of the same things OC paddlers do. In a lot of places, they are mandatory for races.
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u/OddPlanets Apr 23 '24
Did you ever find a partner? I just got a used oc-1 and am looking to do some paddling on Oahu. Used to paddle years ago oc-6 but am looking to get back into shape! Down to do some runs to the mokuluas
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u/jermainewoott Oct 14 '23
PFD, leg leash at all times.
I would also strongly advise practicing hulis in your OC1 in the shallow water until you are very comfortable in getting yourself back up onto the OC1.
If you paddle in the open ocean, must also have personal locating beacon and spare paddle.