Outrigger Connection was born out of a passion for paddling. Karel Tresnak, a two-time world champion whitewater kayaker and former Olympian for Czechoslovakia began manufacturing fibreglass and composite products in Kailua, Hawaii in 1988. His goal was to build the fastest and highest quality canoes on the water. He brought together world-class outrigger paddlers such as Todd Bradley, Walter Guild and his son Karel Jr., to paddle his boats in every imaginable condition possible so that he could refine each boat to perfection.

The first solo outrigger Karel designed was the Arrow, followed by the Arrow II, the Thunder, Viper, the Viper Duo, the Gator, the Axis and the already classic Stingray. Each design was revolutionary in its time. Outrigger Connection in 2000 used this wealth of knowledge to produce the fastest OC-6 on the market today — the MIRAGE.

Colin Bartley and his wife Julie have been the Administrators and Race Directors of the largest and most prestigious outrigging event in Australia, the Coca-Cola Hamilton Island Cup since 1999. Colin has been a paddler with the Hamilton Island Outrigger Canoe Club since 1987.

Colin and Julie also own a Graphic Design company and a Sea Kayaking business on Hamilton Island and will manage Outrigger Connection's operation in Australia.

Peter and his team are the leading outrigger canoe manufacturers in Australia, producing over 300 outrigger canoes starting with the Classic in 1989 and then the Force 5 in 1995. Peter and his team will bring their wealth of canoe building knowledge to manufacture exclusively Outrigger Connection products in Australia.

Peter has spent 3 weeks of intensive training with Karel at his Kailua factory in Hawaii learning the techniques of producing Outrigger Connection products.