At first glance our outrigger canoes appear to be an impressive high-tech piece of moulded fibreglass. Take a second look and you'll see much more...

There are many traditions and ceremonies associated with outrigger canoes owing to the important role they played in Hawaiian and other island cultures. The canoe provided access to food, news from afar, defense, recreation... much trust needed to be placed in them to ensure the safe return of loved ones from across the seas. Although many of these reasons no longer apply, the values and sense of community embodied by these cultures are very much a part of Pacific Dragons.

Blessing Ceremony
The most important ceremony for all new canoes is that of a blessing. Participating in a blessing ceremony is a must for every outrigger paddler. It brings the canoe to life and leaves you with sense of pride and care for both our canoes, our sport and our team mates that goes way beyond training, racing and winning or losing.

The PDs have been very lucky to have had Team Hawaii Masters legend, Kamoa Kalama bless all our race canoes while visiting the Hamilton Is Cup. At the ceremonies Kamoa re-iterates the importance of the traditions surrounding the canoe, talks of the significance of the canoe as a place for friends to meet, in which to leave our worries behind and find solace. He also speaks of the meaning of 'aloha'.

The Spirit of Aloha
Each letter of aloha stands for an important value. It is these values of which we should remind ourselves and apply every time our canoes bring us together:

Akahi: to be kind to one another
Lokahi: to be bring unity and harmony
Olu’olu: to be positive
Ha’aha’a: to be humble, be willing to be a servant and share 'space'
Ahonui: to be patient and to show perseverance

Naming Our Canoes
Outrigger canoes were also part of local Australian aboriginal culture. In recognition of this the names of the PD canoes come from D'harawal aboriginal language that was spoken in the Sydney region.

Traditions
Treating With Care - Always handle our canoes with the utmost care and respect as you would a faithful friend.

Pointing the Outrigger to Sea - Where possible we always try to park the outrigger with the eku (bow) pointing towards the water or out to sea.

Never Step Over A Canoe - Never step over the hull of an outrigger canoe. Always walk around.

Guruwin

Pronounced: goo-roo-win
Means: Grey Nurse Shark
Born: some say she's older than time itself...
Design: Malia
History:
Not only is the Guruwin the PDs first ever canoe, it is also one of the first outrigger canoes in Australia! After serving its early days battling the shore dump at Coogee Beach it now waits quietly for over subscribed sessions and novice steerers.
Career Highlights:
Seeing the PDs through our outrigger canoeing learning curve including providing special lessons in the art of open water huli recovery
Becoming stranded in big seas off Tamarama in the 1999 (?) Christmas Eve paddle that went 'horribly' wrong

Guwiyang Nuwi or 'Nuwi'

Pronounced: goo-ee-yang noo-ee
Means: Fire Canoe
Born: June 1999 (blessed at Hamo Jun-99)
Design: Bladerunner
History:
This is the PDs first ever brand new canoe, and hence our first opportunity to show the world how great a firery orange canoe can look! Minimal rocker in the hull and longer water line length makes the Nuwi our first choice for straight line sprints, flat water races and learning to steer.
Career Highlights:
Taking our short course men to the PDs first ever outrigger regatta win at Southern Beaches (Apr-01)
Our first OC6 to take on the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic in 2001 as well as claiming the record for the fastest ever OC6 mens time in 2002 and fastest ever womens time in 2003.

Dungara

Pronounced: doo-ngah-rah
Means: Lightning
Born: April 2003 (blessed at Hamo Jun-03)
Design: Force 5
History:
As well as reflecting the PD's growth and commitment to outrigging, the purchase another brand new canoe showed just how many shades of orange fibreglass there really are.
Career Highlights:
Leaving the PD LC men stranded in open water after a giant wave saw the entire weight of the canoe come down on the ama (Jan-04). All was forgiven though when the Dungara helped the PD men to their first ever state sprint title podium finish (Mar-04).