Outrigger East Coast Championship

The Outrigger East Coast Championship is a premier paddling competition that draws elite outrigger canoe teams, paddlers, and water sports enthusiasts from across the United States to Wrightsville Beach for a weekend of endurance racing and coastal adventure. Hosted by the Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, the annual championship is recognized as one of the East Coast’s most challenging and respected outrigger canoe events, attracting both seasoned competitors and newcomers to the sport. The competition showcases the skill, teamwork, and athleticism required in traditional outrigger canoe racing while highlighting the unique waterways and ocean conditions of southeastern North Carolina.

The championship typically features multiple race divisions and courses for six-person outrigger canoes and other paddlecraft, with competitors navigating a combination of ocean waters, inlets, and protected channels around Wrightsville Beach. One of the event’s signature races is the renowned “Graveyard” course, a demanding route known for its surf, currents, and ever-changing coastal conditions. Participants and spectators alike gather to enjoy the excitement of the competition, as well as social events, awards ceremonies, and opportunities to connect with the broader paddling community.

Beyond the racing, the Outrigger East Coast Championship celebrates the culture and traditions of outrigger canoe paddling while promoting fitness, teamwork, and stewardship of coastal waterways. The event has become a cornerstone of the East Coast paddling calendar and continues to draw competitors from across the country to experience one of the region’s most distinctive and challenging water sports events.