Grapevine, Texas – Have you been thinking about paddling recreationally or competitively?

Are you looking for a fun, healthy way to spend your summer? Adventurous individuals can get their feet wet trying out the official team sport of Hawaiʻi, outrigger canoe paddling, right here in North Texas Hoewaʻa Dallas Outrigger Canoe Club opens its doors to the public for a free Open House on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The festivities will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Oak Grove Park, Lake Grapevine, 300 Minnow Loop, Grapevine, TX 76051.

The Open House will feature a traditional Hawaiian canoe blessing, light refreshments, and tons of fun. It's the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with our club members, hear inspiring stories about past races and events, and learn more about outrigger canoes, Hawaiian culture, and the sport of paddling. We're also offering free canoe rides so visitors can experience the genuine excitement of outrigger canoe paddling. Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends and family for a day of community and fun!

The Hawaiian Islands, located in the North Pacific, were settled around 300 AD by mariners from the South Pacific. The canoe or wa’a they used to enable them to travel the 2,000-plus miles of deep blue sea to what is now known as Hawaiʻi. The canoe also made it possible for the Hawaiians to harvest and effectively manage the ocean resources surrounding them. The engineering skills required to construct such seaworthy vessels and the sophisticated navigational system they invented greatly influenced the structure and function of Hawaiian society.