Aloha Aito 7, Mauliola, Oahu, March 21-22, 2026
RDRLS (or rudderless) Hawaii Wa’a is proud to present the 2026 Aloha Aito 7 outrigger event. Day 1, on Saturday, for Juniors, Open, and Masters, will feature 15-mile, downwind V6 races from Maunalua to Mauliola (Sand Beach) starting at 11:00 AM. Following this will be a 3-mile V6 “keiki” race (15 & under, 13 & under). This signature event is made possible through the efforts of long-time paddling coach and canoe builder David Kalama and Kauaian Christian Marston, as well as sponsors, like ARE Tahiti, and Dukes Waikiki, which has consistently supported this event since the 2nd Aloha Aito.
International Teams and Rising Talent to Watch
Aloha Aito features some of the world’s top teams, including Air Tahiti, and is expected to attract 40 6-man teams—from Tahiti, Australia, Canada, California and Washington—plus several Hawaiian Islands. All eyes will be on the emerging Molokai junior team, which has gained considerable speed in the past year and is primed for this exciting event.
ARE Tahiti, producer of high-performance Tahitian outriggers, is especially proud to have 12 teams paddling the world-class V6 Matahina in this competition.
On Day 2, paddlers will be on their own, with the V1 rudderless competition. “Rudderless fever” has swept through the island, as more and more paddlers are turning to this traditional and more demanding form of paddling.
Hawaii’s Rudderless Paddling Movement Keeps Growing
“The rudderless movement in Hawaii has completely blown up!” says race director and race coordinator Micah Kalama. ”Entries have tripled in the past year alone, with 76 rudderless V1 paddlers in this race”.
If this year race is anything like last year’s Aloha Aito 6, it is sure to be a thrilling competition. And with ARE Tahiti and Timi V1 outriggers well represented, there will be no shortage of high-speed outriggers.
Stay tuned for this exciting event! For more information, check out the Aloha Aito flyer for details. And if you are interested in rudderless paddling and owning your own V1, please visit https://shopoutrigger.com.
