Outrigger canoeing has been around for about 30,000 years. Once it was used for migration and transportation purposes by our Polynesian ancestors; today the sport of outrigging represents the ultimate in physical challenge and recreational pleasure. Respect for the ocean and its elements as well as for our fellow paddlers (crew members and competitors) is what sets outrigging aside from all other sports. Preserving the spirit, or mana, of outrigging is very important to members of the Hekili Cairns Outrigger Canoe Club.




The club was initially formed at Mission Beach in 1994. At that time the sport of Outrigger Canoe Racing was rapidly growing from a foundation club started at Hamilton Island in the mid 1980s. The club then known as Raging Thunder Outrigger Canoe Club comprised of ten members. This small team of paddlers had great success both nationally and internationally.

Hekili (Cairns) Outrigger Canoe Club began in 1994 in Mission Beach. It was the first North Queensland outrigger canoe club to form at a time when the sport of outrigger canoe racing was rapidly growing from a foundation club started at Hamilton Island in the mid 1980s. In those days, the club was known as Raging Thunder Outrigger Canoe Club. With only 10 members, this small team of outrigger paddlers earned  success both nationally and internationally.

By 1998, the club had expanded and relocated to Cairns to its current training base at Yorkeys Knob, one of Cairns’ Northern Beaches.

In 2006, the Hekili Cairns Outrigger Canoe Club was born and a new relationship forged with the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. Meaning ‘thunder’ in Hawaiian language, the name Hekili reflected the proud history of its days as Raging Thunder OCC as well as the strong link of outrigger canoeing with Polynesian culture. Today, YKBC remains a strong supporter and allows the club to use its premises and facilities at Yorkeys Knob.

Hekili Cairns outriggers range in age from Junior (10 yrs and over) to Golden Master (over 55 yrs), in male and female divisions. The club attributes its strength and competitive success to the cohesive and friendly family attitude of our members who enjoy being involved in the sport and the community it represents.

People from all walks of life are involved in outrigger canoeing in Far North Queensland. Hekili Cairns Outrigger Canoe Club accommodates different expectations – from the fiercely competitive to the casual paddler who just loves being on the water.

Hekili Cairns Outrigger Canoe Club constantly strives to provide the best equipment and training for our members who compete at regattas and events within the Northern Zone <http://aocra.com.au/nqzone/>  and many other national and international events. In the past few years, the club has been very fortunate to have received generous support from:
 
Queensland Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund
Cazalys Cairns Community Fund
Cowboys Leagues Club Community Benefit Fund    
Queensland Government - Sport and Recreation  
Cairns Regional Council (Sports & Recreation Grants)

Our future direction is to continue to welcome new paddlers to our club and to the exhilarating sport of outrigger canoeing in Cairns.




Outrigger canoeing has been around for about 30,000 years. Once it was used for migration and transportation purposes by our Polynesian ancestors; today the sport of outrigging represents the ultimate in physical challenge and recreational pleasure.

Respect for the ocean and its elements as well as for our fellow paddlers (crew members and competitors) is what sets outrigging aside from all other sports. Preserving the spirit, or mana, of outrigging is very important to members of the Hekili Cairns Outrigger Canoe Club.