Huli Drill

OC6 Huli Drill Process

A Huli or capsize is when the outrigger loses balance and rolls over into the water. This can happen with little or no warning. Causes may include paddlers moving their weight side to side during paddle changes; wave and wind conditions under the ama; or just the wash generated by a passing watercraft.

To reduce the chances of a huli, paddlers should practice sitting up straight and flexing forward whilst paddling.

It is an AOCRA (Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association) requirement that all paddlers must have attended at least one huli drill every 12 months (at a minimum).

All paddlers will be trained by the coach on the processes and procedures that are to be followed when a Huli occurs – the main thing to remember is to follow the instructions of your steerer when a huli occurs.

So remember:

  • Remain calm;
  • Listen to instructions from the steerer; and
  • Think and act accordingly.

 

Seating Position Duties

Each seat in the boat will be assigned a role/duty by the steerer when a huli occurs. The following is a guide only – the main thing is to listen to the steerer who will call instructions on who is to do what.
 
Seat 1:     Responsible for gathering paddles and personal gear (drink bottles etc) that might be floating away.

Seat 2:    Along with seat 5, you are to swim to the ama and prepare to push the ama up out of the water (when directed by the steerer) using a scissor kick for                    power.
Seat 3:   Along with seat 4, you are to climb over the canoe and (when directed by the steerer) lift the ‘Iakos'(arms attaching the hull to the outrigger) to flip the                   canoe upright.
Seat 4:  Same as Seat 3.
Seat 5:  Same as Seat 2.
Seat 6:  When the Huli has just occurred, you are responsible for making a head count to ensure all paddlers have surfaced and are ok. You will then issue                             instructions to your crew to help flip the canoe upright. You are responsible for the safety of your crew so keep a look out for any dangers and make                        appropriate decisions.

Once the canoe has been righted, the steerer will assign the two strongest paddlers to get back into the canoe and start bailing the water out. All other paddlers should hold on to the canoe to keep safe. Seat 1 can put all paddles and equipment back into the boat. Do not try to bail from outside of the boat. Bailing is most efficiently performed when in a seated position with a swinging action – scoop and throw. It should be performed as fast as possible so that, when the boat is half empty of water, everyone can jump back in and paddle to safer conditions if needed.

The video below, is a great tutorial on how to perform a huli.