The new boat, a significant upgrade over the existing equipment, was expected to arrive in time for the bulk of 2009 Outrigger Canoe racing season.  However, there was a transition from one manufacturer to another, and issues surrounding this transition prevented the canoe from reaching Victoria until late October, well after the last outrigger race of the year.

The new canoe was initially stored at GO's West Shore facility on the Royal Roads University Campus.  Members of the Va'a program traveled to Westshore on the afternoon of Remembrance Day to assemble the canoe and 'rig' it in traditional Polynesian style.  On a cold, frosty morning six intrepid paddlers launched the canoe for the first time and undertook the 45 minute paddle to bring the long-awaited canoe home.  Waiting on the dock at the GRPC was a small crowd of paddlers, friends and water sports enthusiasts to witness the arrival of the prized canoe.

Once the canoe arrived, a blessing ceremony had been arranged, and a trio of speakers was introduced.  First to step forward was marathon canoe maestro and paddling luminary Ron Williams.  Mr. Williams talked about the history of canoe sports in North America and around the world, and how the new Mirage demonstrated the confluence of the many paddling traditions.  Next, GO President Steve Frisch discussed the beginnings of GRPC (a GO Centre) as a gravel lot with few boats, and the evolution of the organization to where a need has developed for the new race-class canoe.  Finally, Brent Bagnall, co-coach with Risa Greenwood of the Va'a outrigger program at GRPC took centre stage (or dock) to expound about the import of the Mirage for the future of paddle sports at GRPC.  

Once the speakers were finished, a cedar bough was placed on the nose of the canoe, a Canadian Interpretation of the usual ti leaves used in Hawaii, and a ceremonial crew of the three speakers and representatives of the different paddling generations took the canoe for a brief paddle.  When they returned to the dock, they made an offering of an eagle feather and some paddling medals, asking for favourable wind and wave and good fortune.  The canoe was named "Nalowale" the Polynesian word for hidden or vanished.  The name both tells the story of the canoe's long eight month journey from idea to reality, as well as the hope of how she will appear on race day: elusive, disappearing into the distance ahead.

GO Rowing and Paddling and GRPC would like to extend a warm welcome to Nalowale, and look forward to many years of great paddling and successful race results.

Visit the GO Gallery for photos.

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