Tone your rusty winter muscles and prepare for another epic outrigger canoe race!
The Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club is an association of adults who train for recreational and competition paddling in six-person outrigger canoes. Members commit to regular paddling and training schedules and donate time, energy and resources to maintain club operations and to pursue club goals.
They are a small club of gentle folk looking to grow our membership including all adults 18 and over, people from all walks of life and folks of varying paddling experience. They offer competitive and recreational opportunities. If you’ve never paddled before, it’s not a problem. They have life jackets and paddles on site, and we’ll show you the ropes.
For fun fitness practice and potential for competition, this is your place!
Mission statement: Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club strives to intertwine the Hawaiian culture that surrounds outrigger canoeing with current trends in competitive sport. While the primary focus is to train competitive racing teams, Pacific Outrigger also offers paddling for recreation and fitness.
The Rusty Iron Outrigger Canoe Race registration & important points to note:
Each racing crew must be registered by one Contact Person by midnight Thursday, April 24.
New this year: The Contact Person assures that each crew member completes and submits the Rusty Iron E-WAIVER before completing this RUSTY IRON REGISTRATION FORM. When selecting the “Submit” button at the bottom of the E-waiver, the E-Waiver automatically reaches Paddlesport Risk Management. POCC (Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club) is able to check that the submission went through. If unable to complete and submit an E-Waiver, please use the “Print Form” option at the bottom of the E-Waiver, complete the paper form and bring to registration on race day.
Contact Person checks in at the Registration Desk the morning of the race to turn in payment of $40 fee ($25 for Juniors age 19 and under) per paddler and completes any updating. Canoe number and colors must be provided at that time if not already entered on the registration form. Fee includes morning snacks, coffee, water, insurance, all-day racing, a raffle ticket and a gift. Check, cash, Venmo, Zelle accepted.
Oregon Waterway Access Permit (Information in this paragraph revised 4/21/2025): For the Rusty Iron, Oregon canoes in use on the Columbia River should have an Oregon Waterways Access permit, and Washington canoes may need an aquatic invasive species prevention permit issued by Washington. POCC will not be checking for these permits. If an enforcement official stops a canoe on the river, the responsibility goes to the canoe’s owner. For more infomation about the Oregon permit and purchasing, visit the Oregon Waterway Access Permit site.
Frenchman’s Bar Park parking fee is $3 per vehicle and $6 per vehicle with a trailer. When fee booths are not staffed, you will need to use self-pay stations or purchase an annual pass.
The Rusty Iron is sanctioned by Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Association (PNWORCA) and insured by Paddlesport Risk Management, LLC (PRM). Race rules, regulations and safety procedures are in accordance with PRM and PNWORCA. Official PNWORCA Rules
Pacific Outrigger must certify to PRM, that all canoes have working and accessible PFD’s for every person on board. The PFD’s must be US Coast Guard Class I, II, III or V approved. Each canoe must have at least one working bailer and a whistle. There will be a pre-race inspection of every canoe.
All canoes must have PNWORCA assigned numbers applied (port bow) prior to racing.
Best-laid-plans Schedule:
8:00 am Registration opens
9:30 Steers’ meeting
10:00 Short Course for all divisions & canoe types (4-mile course good for novices, youth, OC1’s, etc.)
11:30 or 15 minutes after completion of Short Course Long Course** (approx 8 miles) for Mixed* & Kupuna OC6 Long Course** for Women OC6. Start is 2 minutes after Mixed start.
Noon Enjoy a grilled hamburger lunch for $10 sugg. donation Includes trimmings and salad
1:00 or 15 minutes after completion of Mixed, Kupuna & Women’s race Long course** for Men OC6
* Because of canoe availability, some mixed crews may paddle with the men, ** Open to all classes
Visit the Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club web page for the most current information - http://pacificoutrigger.com/
[Photo: Liquid Stills for the POCC]