When you’re new to anything, getting to grips with the terminology can be one of the most confusing aspects.

Here’s a list of some of the more common outrigging terms names to help any new paddlers.

• Gunnel – n. The upper edge of the side of a vessel.
• Bow – n. the forward end of a vessel
• Paddles up – the command to lift paddles to the “set” position
• Take it away – the command to begin paddling
• Pull over – the command to let you know a wave is racing past the boat and to paddle harder to get over the crest of it
• Draw left – the command for seats 1 and 2 to lean out to the left and pull the canoe left
• Hold the boat – the command to put your paddle in the water and hold it there to stop the boat
• Let it run – the command to stop paddling
• Easy – another command to stop paddling
• Ama -the outrigger float
• ‘iako – the bars that hold the ama to the canoe
• Ho – Hawaiian name for a paddle
• Drive or Leg Drive – to brace your legs and feet so they’re pushing through the bottom of the canoe
• Huli – to capsise the canoe
• Huk – The command to take on more full stroke before changing paddling sides