The Race

The 2016 Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge will take place Saturday, June 11 at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 in New York City.  2016 marks Liberty’s 20th anniversary and New York Outrigger is planning its largest event to date.

As the largest Pacific Islands festival on the East Coast and the world’s most internationally diverse outrigger race, the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge attracts top paddlers from across the globe to take on the challenging conditions of New York Harbor. Over a 15 mile course (11 miles for Mixed) crews battle punishing tidal currents and negotiate considerable boat traffic, all while passing iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and World Trade Center. While crews are on the water, family and friends can enjoy the free public festival at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26.

The Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge draws crews from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Islands to New York City. The unique urban setting and active waterways create a race experience like no other in the world. Over the years, the event has grown to become one of the premier outrigger races in the world. For the 20th anniversary in 2016, New York Outrigger expects to host its largest and most competitive field of outrigger crews in the event’s history.

As always, crews in need of a canoe for the race are encouraged to register early. With three different races and numerous clubs providing canoes, New York Outrigger will continue to manage canoe placements in order to ensure that as many teams as possible can compete. Therefore, we ask that visiting teams work through the Liberty Registration Team to source a canoe and avoid reaching out to clubs directly. Doing so will help ensure that no canoe is double-booked for any race.

We look forward to seeing everyone in New York City on June 11, 2016 for the 20th annual Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge!