Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club - POCC Hoe Wa`a Challenge

2023 POCC Hoe Wa'a Race Update: We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the 2023 Hoe Wa’a due to unsafe conditions for participants. NOAA marine forecast predicts 7-10 foot swells in the ocean, and wind at 20 knots, with similarly severe weather in our Plan B, the Back Bay. .

We will be refunding 90% of registration fees, and we will not be rescheduling this year due to the busy fall race calendar. We hope to see you in 2024!

Thank you to the 14 teams who registered to race: New Hope, NYO, Kent Island, NCAWPA, Lokahi Jacksonville, Cayuga, Penn Dragon Boat, Flying Phoenix, KeAloha, WCC, Bucks, Greg’s Team, Erik's Team, and POCC. Thanks also to our sponsors: ARE Tahiti, Kialoa, Ozone and Wawa. Thanks to the volunteers who signed up to help out. A special thanks to all the trailer drivers who had agreed to trailer boats to Brigantine to make the race possible.

For race rules, go here.

Thanks to our 2023 sponsors

OC-6 Race Rules

RACE START

The start line is the line between the green start flag and official boat. Watercraft must be west of the start line at the time of the race start. The starting signals will be as follows: 2 blasts for the two minute warning, 1 blast for the one minute warning, 1 long blast for the start of the race.

RIGHT OF WAY

Where two watercraft are not overlapped (meaning the stern of the leading watercraft is completely clear of the bow of the following boat) the leading watercraft has right of way and the following boat must avoid contact.
Where two watercraft are overlapped, both watercraft must offer reasonable clearance for the other and neither watercraft may turn into the path of the other watercraft.
There should be no intentional collisions of watercraft by either the lead or passing watercraft. Intentional collision may be cause for disqualification or time penalty.

TURNS

Watercraft must turn around Buoy #1 (to the east of the buoy – ocean side) before heading north.
Watercraft must travel in a counter- clockwise direction around the turn Buoy #2 (large pyramid buoy.).
Watercraft must clear the buoy without the watercraft touching the mark.
Where watercraft are clear of one another and no overlap exists, the leading watercraft has right-of-way and the following watercraft must make all efforts to keep clear and avoid collision.
Where an overlap between watercraft occurs within 90 feet of the buoy, the watercraft with the inside line to the mark has right of way and the outside watercraft must provide room at the mark for the inside watercraft to turn safely.
If the overlap is broken and both watercraft clear each other inside of 90 feet, the overlap rule requiring room at the mark will continue to apply.
Where there is genuine uncertainty between racers and officials regarding the existence of an overlap at the 90-foot zone, the presumption will be that an overlap did exist.
Any intentional collision in or around the turn could be cause for disqualification or time penalty.

Finish – The finish line is the same as the start line.

You must obey signals and instructions from safety boats.

All watercraft must adjust course and yield to all commercial traffic. Be aware, commercial traffic may be coming from behind you. Look in all directions frequently, especially in the inlet. The inlet is very busy with recreational and commercial fishing boats and jet skis. Jet skis do not tend to observe any right of way rules. Stay outside of the channel (between the red and green channel markers) while in the inlet) if possible.
Allow adequate clearance to the Brigantine jetty at all times, especially when making the right turn into the inlet to get to the finish line.
Failure to adhere to the above, including failure to obey a signal or instruction from a safety boat, may result in disqualification, or, ultimately, cancellation of the event by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Disqualification

A team or competitor must be notified as soon as possible after the commencement or completion of the event of any disqualification.
Only the Race Director may disqualify a team after consultation with the appropriate officials. The disqualified team will be given the reason(s) for disqualification at the time of notification by the Race Director.

Protest

A quorum of a Protest Committee will be not less than 3 persons who will not be members of any club involved in the protest. Additional members of the Protest Committee may be appointed as necessary by the Race Director.

Course Modification/Cancellation of Event

In the event of the issuing of a severe weather, ocean conditions, terror threat, or other safety concern by safety boat captains or other applicable authorities, the race course may be rerouted to the intracoastal course or shortened, and individual heats or the entire race may be cancelled.
Course alterations are made in consideration of the safety of all participants and the decision to alter the race course is FINAL.

Watercraft Safety Equipment

All watercraft must carry:
- Six (6) USCG approved PFDs.
- A minimum of two (2) bailers. An additional 5 gallon bucket is recommended but not required.
- Due to the open ocean venue, spray skirts are strongly recommended but not required.

An equipment check will be performed the morning of the race. Watercraft without all of the above required safety equipment will not be allowed to race. Paddlers must be wearing wristbands in order to race (confirms waiver has been signed).