Geographe Outriggers need more racers

Children and parents went head-to-head in a friendly race on Saturday when the Geographe Outriggers club held its juniors open day.

The 13m outrigger canoes, based on Hawaiian and Tahitian designs, are intended for ocean racing and can travel long distances and handle wind and swell conditions.

Juniors coach Laurie Haynes said the club had been around since 1997 but for now had a specific juniors' program for the first time.

"We are looking for 13 to 16-year-olds to compete in regattas in Busselton, Bunbury, Mandurah and Perth," he said.

Haynes said outrigger racing involved teamwork, concentration and fitness.

"We will be involved in the yacht club opening day on 17th October where we will carry our new canoe Hihimanu on our shoulders into the water to show respect for the canoe at the start of the season," he said.

The first race for the season is the Busselton Jetty Paddle on October 25.

Haynes is running clinics for new paddlers every Saturday morning at 8.30am at Geographe Bay Yacht Club.