The Liberty World Outrigger Competition is one of the largest sporting events in New York Harbor and one of the most prestigious outrigger canoe races in the world. The race is unique amongst the world outrigger racing circuit as it takes place in one of the busiest urban harbors in the world. Crews not only have to gauge the strong tidal currents that change swiftly and suddenly but also negotiate the vast numbers of ferries, cruise ships, tour boats, barges, tankers and pleasure craft that fill New York Harbor, the East River and the Hudson River.

Men’s, women’s, and co-ed crews race along a challenging and visually-stunning course past landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan Skyline as a backdrop. This iron outrigger race course is 15 miles long for the men’s and women’s division while the mixed division is 11 miles.

New York Outrigger has hosted this annual event in since its inception in 1996. Since then, the Liberty World Outrigger Competition has welcomed participants from all over the world including Tahiti, Australia, Costa Rica, England, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and Canada along with clubs from all over the United States and Hawaii.