Outrigger steering is a great challenge and a great skill to have regardless of whether you ultimately want to become a race steerer or not. The knowledge and understanding that comes with it is all part of the journey to being the best outrigger paddler you can be!
| Outrigger steering is a great challenge and a great skill to have regardless of whether you ultimately want to become a race steerer or not.
The knowledge and understanding that comes with it is all part of the journey to being the best outrigger paddler you can be! If you outrig with PDs for racing or cross training you will be getting in the steerer’s seat! |
Our steerers are always keen for feedback to improve their steering skills. Until our 1-800 number is connected you can either give this directly to them in person or via any of the OC Coaching Team. For less immediate feedback you can complete the survey below. The reponses to it will be periodically reviewed and collated with a summary passed onto each steerer. |
PD Steerer Skill Levels
On the training sign-up page you’ll notice S1, S2 or S3 next to some people’s names. These refer to the PD Steerer Skill Levels.
The aim of these is to help define who is a safe, confident and respected steerer in various conditions. They are a means of articulating common sense and experience rather than a replacement for them. They do not define who is a ‘fast’ steerer or who has the best ocean surfing or race steering skills.
More details on what they mean and they’re achieved can be found here:
PD Outrigger Steering Skill Levels v2.4 (Jan-10).pdf
Steerer Coaches
Our current Steerer Coaches are Amanda, Billy and Linda. These are the people to see for any steering related questions and will help out from time to time with accrediting new steerers.
Intro to Steering Course
The aim of the course is to give you the ability in closed water to confidently:
– communicate to an OC6 crew;
– steer and control an OC6;
– manage recovery from a huli; and
– apply NSW Maritime rules, PD Steering Guidelines and general boating etiquette.
The course is spread over 3 weeks and is run in conjunction with normal PD training sessions. Steerer’s arrive earlier and receive 20-30min of ‘theory’. They then put that theory into practice by steering most of the session.
The only pre-requisite for the course is that you’ve shown you can comfortably steer training session warm-downs. This opportunity exists for all paddlers at all OC sessions so to get more practice let your steerer know during the session.
Note steerer levels are independent of whether you do this course or not. The knowledge gained however will help bridge the gap between levels 1 and 2.
New Steerers for 2009/10
One of the big goals for this season is to build up our base of training and race steerers.
Congrats to those that have taken a step forward with their steering this season…
Level 1 – Charmian, Stu, Charlotte, Moana, Kerry, Lisa, Peter, Sally, Graeme, Dean, Mei-sing, Adrian, Glenn, Jacob, Nicola
Level 2 – Annett, Todd, Lisa, Stu, Moana, Charmian, Kerry, Graeme
