Honu Outrigger is a family owned company dedicated to expanding the amazing sport of outrigger canoeing to the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. Started by Rob and Robin Reinarz, who share a passion for the water, Hawaii, and paddling sports, we have made a commitment to introduce outrigger canoeing to a variety of people. Rob, who has been vacationing in Hawaii with his family since he was a kid, became fascinated with outrigger canoeing several years ago. However, if you lived on the East Coast of the U.S., obtaining an outrigger canoe was nearly impossible without spending tons of money on shipping costs. Further, most of the boat makers were located in Hawaii, and if you could find someone willing to ship back East, it could take 9 months to a year from order to delivery.

Becoming increasingly frustrated with this logistical nightmare, we were determined on our next trip to Hawaii to solve the dilemma. So, this summer while in Kona, the search began for the right connection. Several inquiries, phone calls, and emails later lead us to a local fast food restaurant where we met Ian, Founder, and Lauren Foo, COO, of Hypr Canoes. Two hours later, we were heading out of the harbor totally psyched, and finally paddling an OC2 along side Ian and his son. Two hulis (flipping the canoe) later, we were soaked, exhilarated, and out in the beautiful Hawaiian waters sitting in a gentle swell watching the evening sun descending towards the ocean. Ian was talking to us about team work, communication, focus, and the zen of being absorbed by the natural beauty that surrounded us. We were hooked!!

It turned out that Ian and his family lived only a couple of miles from my parents house in Kona. So, the last week of our vacation became all about paddling as often as possible. Ian graciously spent hours with us teaching us about the canoes, and how to paddle. It was hard to tell who was having more fun. Ian watching us excitedly embrace the sport that he loved, or me and Robin becoming totally absorbed with the sport. He introduced us to his paddling club friends Tod, Steve, and Freddie who worked with us, and our family on the water. They could not have been more open and welcoming to our group of complete novices. They were as much about the physical skill and fitness, as they were about the pure pleasure of being on the open water enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Big Island.

We bought an OC2, and my folks bought an OC1, and realized that outrigger canoeing needed to be brought back to the East Coast in a meaningful, reliable, and affordable way so that others could enjoy the magic of the sport.

So, Honu Outrigger was born. Outrigger canoeing can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. There are organizations formed around races and competition. There are also people like Rob's almost 70's parents, who love to spend time on their outrigger canoe just paddling along exploring the Hawaiian coast line. Whether it is for competitive reasons, or just to spend time on the water with your family and friends outrigger canoeing has so much to offer the water enthusiast.

We hope to spread the interest, history, and spirit of outrigger canoeing throughout New England. We are proud of our partnership with Hypr Canoes,http://www.hypr.us a company on the forefront of canoe production and technology. It is also a company run by a couple working hard to spread the word of outrigger canoeing to the world. Please visit the Canoes section of our website to read all about the exciting makes and models available.

MAHALO!!

Rob and Robin Reinarz

The Old Dude and Dennis setting off to enjoy a morning paddle.