Outrigger Connection Australia

Check out the new Outrigger Connection Australia Facebook page. I’ll be using it hold competitions, load photos, videos and keep fans up to date with all thing outrigging. To kick if off, the first competition will win you a Patagonia racing top for posting your favourite Mirage action photo onto the Facebook site. Here is the link.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outrigger-Connection-Australia/193762962422

Cheers

Barts

Chapter 5 – 1998

Mark Rigg on the Viper

The VIPER is the brand new shape and design. It had a wedge like nose entry and new deck, a splash guard and newly shaped ama were the biggest new features of the Viper.

Jim and John Foti win the Molokia OC1 Relay in 1998

Jim and John Foti win the Molokai Relay race and Mark Rigg wins the Molokai Solo race on the new VIPER XL.

A very young Jr on a Thunder at Hammo in '98

Junior paddles a Thunder’s in Hamilton Island Cup.

Mike Judd on the Gator

There was also the GATOR designed for flat water performance and Walter Guild and Mike Judd won Catalina Relay race on a GATOR. Outrigger Connection were starting to build super light Gators, full double carbon clear finish construction and custom colors.

Kai Bartlett joins the Team Riders of Outrigger Connections

The team of sponsored riders grows with new members, Kai Bartlett and Andy Penny joining the team. The reason for designing the flat water canoe was to offer paddlers a choice, similar like a quiver of surfboards and Outrigger Connection was now offering a quiver in OC1s.

Jr on the Gator

Here is some great video footage of a lightweight Mirage in action being paddled in Hawaii. The narration is by Walter Guild the designer of the Classic and Force 5 OC6s.

If you want some more info on the new lightweight Mirage or would like to place an order please contact me.

If you would like to lighten your Mirage up now and not wait for the 2013 rule change but don’t want to go to the expense of buying a whole new lightweight Mirage here are a couple of options you can try.

New lightwight Puffy Ama – We are now building carbon/kevlar vacuum bagged Puffy amas that will save you 6kg – Price $2,290

Lightweight iakos – A new set of lightweight reinforced iakos will save you 2kg – Price $890

Lightweight hoops – Super light kevlar hoops will save you another 2kg – Price $495

Lightweight racing covers – These shower proof lightweight covers will also save 2kg – Price $1670

That’s a total saving of 12kg off a standard rigged OC6.

Now combine these lightweight accessories with a new lightweight Mirage of 130kg and you have a combined weight saving of 37kg over a standard rigged OC6.

If you want some more information about how to lighten your existing Mirage or order these new accessories please contact me.

With the new minimum weight for OC6 canoes in Australia reduced to 130kg I am happy to announce that Outrigger Connection Australia is now producing new Mirage canoes using new and exotic material to get the weight down without sacrificing any strength and most importantly not increasing the price.

Our new lightweight Mirages hulls will stay at the same price of $13,780.

Because the ruling states that new weight doesn’t come into effect until 2013 we can fit the required extra weight into the hulls in the way of lead for an extra $350.

If you already have an existing Mirage in your club the cheapest way to get your paddlers on the water in a lightweight Mirage is to just purchase the new lightweight hull only and you can use the iakos, ama, covers and hoops of your existing Mirage.

We have already made 3 lightweight Mirages with more orders and enquiries coming in fast. If you want some more information about ordering a new lightweight Mirage please contact me.

Chapter 4 – ‘96-’97

1996 was a big year for firsts in OC1 design by Karel and Outrigger Connection.
In 1996 the Arrow 2 and Thunder are the first OC1s to have a radical lower sliding track seats.

Sliding moulded seat on the Thunder

These OC1 also have the first ever iakos that enter vertically into the ama for easy adjustment and wave clearance. Another first, were the complete graphite, bladder molded, composite carbon iakos. First, asymmetric exit of the iako from the canoe deck resulting in better clearance for the iako and more comfort for the paddler.

Vertical iako entry into ama

Carbon iakos on the Arrow 2

The Thunder has more volume than the Arrow2 and has the first sliding foam seat. Central foot well drain first appears on Arrow 2. Jim and John Foti win the Molokai relay again, this time on the Thunder.

Sliding foam seat

1997 – The Thunder continues its victories with Jim and John Foti winning the Molokai relay. Outrigger Connection added new team riders, Courtney Seto and Todd Bradley. Several canoes were built for the first time ever using honeycomb core and full graphite construction.

The Thunder OC1 1995

It’s definitely summer in Western Australia because every afternoon a sea breeze blows in off the sea at 20-25 knots. The breeze is called The Fremantle Doctor. This is a short movie of myself and Mark having some fun one afternoon this week. You always feel better after a visit to The Doctor!

Chapter 3 – ‘95

1995 – The year of the Arrow. One man canoes start to evolve as the sport progresses in Hawaii. Narrower designs, but still maintaining the flat high seat. With the Arrow Karel made the first lightweight OC1 using epoxy and graphite vacuum bagged construction.

The Arrow OC1 at Karel's shop

Jim and John Foti are the first team riders for Outrigger Connection and give Outrigger Connection it’s first win in the Molokai Relay. One man outriggers are now getting popular in Hawaii and Outrigger Connection is experiencing its first back log with our orders.

OC Team Riders Jim & John Foti

R&D on a new canoe ARROW 2 begins. Custom made colours and fabric inserts and graphite pedals are introduced for the first time. Karel’s association with Black Bart paddles leads to an introduction of full graphite carbon paddles for outriggers.

The "Rasta" coloured Arrow OC1

We have lots of odd sizes and extras left over from orders so we are having a stock clearance and getting rid of the shirts at really good prices.
T-shirts normally $45 now only $20 each.
Long Sleeves normally $50, now only $35 each.

Great for Christmas Presents!!!

Here is the list of shirt sizes and colours available:

Delivery add $7.50 for 1 shirt or $10 for 2 or more shirts

Mens t-shirts – $20 each
Papaya – L x1 SOLD

Mens long sleeve – $35 each
White – XXL x1
Lemongrass – XL x1 SOLD , XXL x3, 3XL x1
Mandarin – XXL x 1 SOLD, XXL x1, 3XL x1

Mens sleeveless – $20 each
White – M x3, L x1

Island motiv long sleeve – $40 each
Papaya/crimson – S x10
White/crimson – XL x1

Womens flower design – $35
Yellow long sleeve – S x1
Green long sleeve – S x1
Blue t-shirt – S x1, XL x1

Womens t-shirts – $20 each
White – M x3, L x2 SOLD
Marina – S x2
Royal blue – M x3, L x1 SOLD

Womens long sleeve – $35 each
White – XS x1, M x1, L x1, XL x1 SOLD
Royal blue – XS x1, L x1 SOLD

Womens tanks – $20 each
White – S x3, M x6, L x7
Royal blue – M x2

For ordering and bank account details visit the Ordering & Contact page

Cheers

Colin