Huli

RULES:

  • FLCC outrigger steers and paddlers must successfully complete a huli drill annually.  Exceptions must be approved by the Outrigger Coordinator.
  • no more than 1 paddler onboard without current huli testing

BE SAFE – WORK AS A TEAM – BE PREPARED

Although the steersperson is responsible for the equipment and gear and must assess conditions and crew’s abilities, it is the crew’s responsibility to support and ensure that all safety conditions and requirements are met.

In order to paddle in an OC you have had to have done the huli quiz and a huli drill. It is important to know your teammates’ abilities and review the safety checklist before going out. Be sure you have several big bailers, a throw bag, a cell phone and know where the identified pull outs are before you go out.

To NOT Huli:

  • Keep centered. Sit up.  Do not lean over gunnels, especially when switching sides to paddle. Keep hips loose and moving with the boat’s movement.
  • It is important NOT to huli close to the dock.  Keep your weight left as you load.
  • When you are returning to the dock, DO NOT REACH OUT TO GRAB THE DOCK AS YOU APPROACH AS THIS SHIFTS YOUR WEIGHT TO THE RIGHT!
  • While both paddling and docking, seats closest to the iako should watch the ama and lean or push down on the iako if the ama lifts
  • The steers may ask all paddlers to lean left or paddle left to shift weight onto the ama through rough water or when docking.

During the Huli Drill:

  • Hold your paddle.
  • Do not push away from the boat as it goes over.  The ama will be passing over your head and you need to stay close to the boat to ensure you do not get hit.
  • For the purposes of the drill, store your paddle under the seat. In the event of a REAL huli, the assigned person will collect the paddles and then store them under the seats.

After you Huli:

  • Immediately after the huli, the steersperson will ask for a head count and each seat, in order, loudly calls out his or her seat number to ensure that everyone is accounted for.
  • If someone is hurt or unable to help in righting the boat, seat 1 or 6 assists the injured paddler, keeping them close to the end of the boat and out of the way.  The steersperson may assign a teammate to assist the disabled paddler and reassign duties to right the boat.
  • Seats 1 or 6 can collect paddles, or paddles can be placed back in the boat by tucking them under the overturned hull.  The preferred method is placing paddles in the boat.
  • The remaining paddlers must fill the positions with two paddlers on the hull and two paddlers below ama for the recovery.
  • In the Bedford Channel if the waves are big, the entire team turns the boat into the waves before the huli recovery.
  • Be sure everyone stays with the boat.  Do not leave the boat to get gear.
  • Everyone must get in position and wait for others to get into position. The steersperson ensures everyone is ready and counts down to ensure that the team works together.
  • Each seat will be assigned a specific duty for a huli recovery. Be sure you know what your job is before you go out. These jobs do not need to be done by a specific seat.  If there are reasons you want to do a job that is assigned to another seat (size, strength, or ability) be sure this is clear before you go out.

Seat 6 is the steersperson and directs the recovery process.
Usually assigned seats and their duties:

Seat 1

  • Stay at the front of the boat and help hold boat in position. Follow steers instructions if given.

Seats 2 and 5

  • Seats 2 and 5 push up on the ama. Each paddler situates at the outside corner where the iako’s meet the ama. At the Steersperson’s command, get low in the water and kick hard with your legs to lift the ama while walking your hands down the Iako (toward the gunnel). Continue to push up to ensure the boat goes over.  Always watch the ama to be sure that it does not come back down and hit you.
  • Ideally, Seats 2 and 5 will enter the boat first. Preferably, get in the boat from the non-ama side unless someone has already entered it.  Once in, bail water out as fast as possible to help raise the boat so other paddlers can get out of the water – this is very important.

Seats 3 and 4

  • Seats 3 and 4 climb onto the hull using the Iako.
  • Seat 2 and 5 may offer assistance to help brace their feet, as the hull and iako’s may be slippery.
  • Seats 3 and 4 straddle the hull.
  • Seats 3 and 4 now need to step on the muku. This is done by swinging their second leg
  • behind them. It is important to keep your weight low over the hull.  Still standing on the muku, and laying your stomach over the hull, reach to grab the iako and/or gunnel.
  • When everyone is ready, and on the steersperson’s instructions, seats 3 and 4 use their body weight to pull the iakos up (drop your seat, bottom as if you’re doing a squat), watching not to get hit by the iakos and ama as they pass over.

Seat 6

  • After taking the headcount and assessing for injuries, the steersperson will assist in the Huli recovery verbally and physically, but will stay at the stern and out of the way.  Their responsibility is to keep everyone working together and focussed, instructing the paddlers throughout the recovery to get the boat quickly upright, bailed and moving.

Getting in:

  • Seat 6 will call entry to the boat. Seat 6 may identify people that need to be first in the boat.
  • Seats 2 and 5 ideally enter the boat first from the non-ama side if possible.
  • Seats 1, 3, 4 and 6 get into the boat when instructed by Seat 6 from the ama side.
  • First paddlers in (ideally seats 2 and 5) start bailing quickly with the largest bailers.
  • BAIL WHILE SEATED, THROW WATER TOWARDS THE AMA TO BE SURE YOUR BODY WEIGHT IS KEPT TO THE LEFT.
  •  Paddlers get in as quickly as possible to get out of the cold water. Paddlers can use the iako to help get in.  Be aware of your team mates and help them into the boat if required.
  • All paddlers bail to empty the boat as quickly as possible.
  • When steer deems it is time to paddle, they will call for seats 1, 3,  4 and 6 to paddle, while seats 2 and 5 continue to bail.
  • Be sure everyone is busy, either bailing or paddling to get warm.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

There are two contradictions between the instructions above and the below video.

  1. For our waters (Bedford Channel) the preferred method is turning the boat into the wind, waves or current.
  2. We also find having seat 1 and 6 lift the boat while is paused at its tipping point is dangerous and results in injuries. We DO NOT do that.

Click here if you have problems accessing the video below.

Huli Quiz