We are excited to offer OC-1’s as a premium rental at the Dillon Marina.  Outrigger Canoes are ultra performance crafts meant to cover distances and displace water.  We have canoes from renown Hawaiian shapers, Kai Bartlett (https://www.kaiwaa.com/) and Johnny Puakea (https://puakeadesigns.com/).

The canoes are fragile and need to be carried and used with care.  Experience paddling these crafts is highly recommended because they can tip over easily if you are inexperienced.  Taking a lesson is highly recommended unless can prove to be proficient and able to right if one were to tip over.  All rentals will get a safety and paddle talk.  Rental slot is for 2 hours and include a paddle and pfd.

We are excited to be the first Outrigger Canoe Tour operator in Colorado.  The tour takes place on the majestic Lake Dillon in the heart of Summit County.  The tour begins with a paddle talk that covers canoe history, culture and terminology associated with its Polynesian roots.  We will talk a little about the history of Dillon Reservoir as well as point out many of the stunning and scenic peaks that can be seen from the lake.

The DOCC is being started to create a culture and community around canoe paddling in Summit County and Colorado.   First and foremost we honor and pay tribute to the Polynesian peoples and culture for their indelible contributions to the ancient maritime exploration and voyaging of the Pacific Ocean.  It is the goal of the club to approach the canoe with the reverence and respect it merits.  It is our goal to adhere and align with the principles of the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society which are as follows…

“We are voyagers.  Our ancestors came from across the Pacific Ocean on a double-hull voyaging canoe and settled to these islands we now call home.  On a canoe, they were able to  sustain themselves for weeks at a time, in the middle of the ocean.  They understood that everyone on the canoe had a job to do and they understood the art of “not over stepping”; you tend to your job and did not tell others how to do theirs.  Respect was the key to a peaceful, functioning environment.  They took care of one another and respected each other.  No pilikia (no trouble).  They  brought these values to their new home, the home we now call Hawai’i.  He wa’a he moku, he moku he wa’a; the canoe is an island, the island is a canoe.  This is a saying that we use.  We take care of each other on the island the way we take care of each other on a canoe voyage.  These are the values we have learned as Hawaiians.  These are the values we teach others as Voyagers.

The club will be member driven and there will be a seasonal, monthly or drop-in  fee which gives access to morning and sunset club paddles as well as gives discounted rates for OC-1s and other crafts we have for rent.  We have two six man canoes which fit up to 12 paddlers.  We will have a daily sign up sheet for club paddles.