The Liberty Challenge hosted by New York Outrigger is the largest outrigger regatta on the East Coast.  Since 1997, the Liberty Challenge has grown to become one of the most prestigious outrigger canoe races in the world.  The race is unique among world outrigger regattas as it takes place in a bustling urban harbor.

Detailed information about the Liberty Challenge can be found on the race website: www.libertychallenge.org.

24km Race Distance.

The outrigger canoes launch, start and finish at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26. Upon the start at Pier 26, crews paddle south along The Battery. Men’s and women’s crews continue along the Manhattan shoreline into the complex currents of the East River past the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges before crossing the East River to Brooklyn. The crews continue along the Brooklyn shoreline to Buttermilk Channel located between Governors Island and Brooklyn. Mixed Crews race from the Battery towards Buttermilk Channel. After rounding the southern end of Governors Island, crews paddle directly across New York Harbor towards the face of the Statue of Liberty before turning north past Ellis Island and Jersey City. The race continues north up the Hudson River along the New Jersey shoreline past Hoboken before crossing back to the Manhattan shoreline and heading back down the river along Hudson River Park towards the finish at Pier 26.