Welcome to the 9th Annual POCC Hoe Wa`a Challenge Weekend!

• SATURDAY, September 11, 2021: Waterman's Challenge - OC-1, OC-2, Surfski Single/Double, SUP, prone paddleboard, and FISA Single/Double

• SUNDAY, September 12, 2021:  POCC Hoe Wa`a OC-6 races - Women, Mens, Mixed

Important update for Sunday September 12, 2021: POCC Hoe Wa`a Challenge OC-6 races. Due to the extended small water craft advisory, the OC-6 race courses and times have been adjusted.  Please check your email for the latest information.  Also please note that there is an Atlantic City Ironman tomorrow morning which may affect your travel in (some exits being closed). Please plan accordingly.

Important update for Saturday, September 11, 2021: Waterman's Challenge is on! Paddlers who registered for this race, please check email for the latest information on the race course change and later start time (also noted below).  Race course maps also posted on www.POCCHoeWaa.com 

see Hoe Wa'a Race Website for more information about race (including race rules, free-agent paddlers)

The Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club’s 9th Annual Hoe Wa`a Challenge will be taking place in the Absecon Inlet between the beautiful beaches of Brigantine Island and shores of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Saturday, September 11th is the 4th Annual Waterman's Challenge - short and long open-ocean races with beach launch from Brigantine for OC-1, OC-2, surfski, SUP, prone paddleboard, and FISA coastal rowing. Sunday, September 12th is our open-ocean OC-6 race with beach launch from Brigantine featuring short course races and long course races of 12-mile men's and women’s races, and a 9-mile mixed race division. 

EVENTS *Conditions permitting

• Saturday, September 11, 2021 Waterman's Challenge (OC-1, OC-2, surfski single/double, SUP, prone paddleboard, and FISA single/double)  (*BYO small water craft)
  • Short race: 4 miles
  • Long race: 8 miles
  • Lunch and awards
• Sunday, September 12, 2021 Hoe Wa`a Challenge (OC-6)
  • Short Course for those new to ocean OC-6 racing: 3-miles (Women's, Men's, Mixed together)
  • Long Course for spec and unlimited canoes *bring your own unlimited (BYOU)*
    • Women's OC-6 race: 12-miles 
    • Men's OC-6 race: 12-miles
    • Mixed OC-6 race: 9-miles
  • Lunch and awards in between race starts

DEADLINES

Spec OC-6 Canoe Loan Request: August 15, 2021.

Team Registration: August 31, 2021 (11:59 PM EDT)

Late Registration: September 1, 2021 (prices go up!) - September 8, 2021 (11:59 PM EDT)

REGISTRATION

OC-6 crews in need of a canoe should read the Canoe Loans section below and related info. All teams must register through PaddleGuru. Rental of Spec OC-6 Canoes only.  Unlimited OC-6 races are BYOU (Bring your own unlimited)

Registration through August 31 , 2021 (11:59 PM EDT)

• OC-6 short course registration: $180 USD per canoe
• OC-6 long course registration: $360 USD per spec or unlimited OC-6 canoe
  • OC-6 unlimited race - need to BYOU *bring your own unlimited*
• OC-1, surfski single, SUP, prone paddleboard, and FISA single short and long course registration: $50 USD per paddler
• OC-2, Surfski double and FISA double short and long course registration: $100 USD ($50 each paddler)

Late registration: September 1, 2021 - September 8, 2021 (11:59 PM EDT)

• OC-6 short course late registration: $240 USD per canoe
• OC-6 long course late registration: $420 USD per spec or unlimited OC-6 canoe
  • OC-6 unlimited race - need to BYOU *bring your own unlimited*
• OC-1, surfski single, SUP, prone paddleboard, and FISA single short and long course late registration: $70 USD per paddler
• OC-2, surfski double and FISA double short and long course late registration: $140 USD  ($70 per paddler)

Separate registration required for each crew/craft racing

Requests for edits post-registration only via email request to hoewaa@philadelphiaoutrigger.org through September 8, 2021 (11:59 PM EDT)

Open (10+) and Masters (40+) age divisions available for spec OC-6 races and small craft (Waterman's) races. Please ensure your team members are the appropriate age for the registered age divisions:

• your age (and your partner if OC2, surfski double, or FISA double) on September 11, 2021 for the Waterman's races
• the age of you/team members on September 12, 2021 for the OC-6 races 

Registration fees go directly to cover event costs. Should the event be cancelled due to weather or other safety concerns, refunds will not be provided. Questions about registration can be directed to hoewaa@philadelphiaoutrigger.org.

DOUBLE PADDLERS (for OC-6 Races)

• Registration fees are per crew not per paddler.
• Each registered OC-6 crew will receive 6 racing wristbands.

SPEC OC-6 CANOE LOANS

• Rental of Spec OC-6 Canoes only.  Unlimited OC-6 races are BYOU (Bring your own unlimited)
• Deadline for spec OC-6 canoe loan requests by August 15, 2021 to be made through registration form submission and to be coordinated by POCC Hoe Wa`a Race Planning Committee. 
• Please do not reach out to other clubs directly to avoid double booking.
• Spec OC-6 Canoe rental fee $155 USD to be collected by the POCC Hoe Wa`a Race Planning Committee: $150 to be passed through to the team renting their canoe and $5 transaction fee
• Completing registration does not guarantee a canoe. Requesting teams will receive a confirmation email once a canoe loan is arranged.
• After the canoe loan deadline (August 15, 2021) teams needing a spec OC-6 canoe should not register without prior approval from the POCC Hoe Wa`a Race Planning Committee.

CANCELLATION FEE

20% cancellation fee will be assessed for all registrations cancelled by August 31, 2021 11:59 PM EDT.

No refunds of registration fees after September 1, 2021 12:00 AM EDT. 

NO CANCELLATION for Late Registration. 

CAPTAIN'S SAFETY MEETING

• The Hoe Wa`a Challenge and Waterman's Challenge are ocean races, and safety meetings are required. The Captain's Safety Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, September 9th, 2021.  Info will be emailed out to registrants.

POST-RACE LUNCH & AWARDS

• Awards will be announced after each race.  Lunch will be provided.