Strong wind warnings, high-calibre paddlers and the promise of more fun than ever are on the cards for the eighth annual Vaka Eiva.

Six hundred international and local paddlers are ready for a full-on week of action on and off the water.

The Aussies arrive this weekend with the countrys top paddlers in tow and some serious fighting words about cleaning up the competition.

The Crown Beach Kings crew will feature the likes of top Australian stand up paddler Travis Grand and tall timber paddling mate Todd Cohen as well as father-son duo Gold Coach chief lifeguard Chris Maynard and son Jackson Maynard who is the Noosa ironman champion.

The female equivalent of the Crown Beach Kings the Crown Beach Belles may not have paddled Vaka Eiva before but you can bet they will be bringing their A-game.

The Aussies are not just talking up their chances in the open men and womens division the nation will also be fielding some tough crews in the masters and junior division as well with the Sunshine Coast development squad ready to pit themselves against junior paddlers from Rarotonga, Aotearoa and Aitutaki in the Mapu Oe Vaka division.

The Kiwis are never to be underestimated with top performing clubs from across Aotearoa fancying their chances and wanting to give the Aussies a run for their money.

The Kiwi contingent can boast local knowledge as many of the crews have paddled Vaka Eiva for the past seven years such as the Mana Menz and Mana Pasifica crews.

Lara Collins and her Paddle New Zealand crew also known as Laras Lot have tasted Vaka Eiva victory in previous years and will no doubt be up for another serving this year.

The womens waka ama crew Manuz and Jemimaz will be a real threat in the womens division as the ladies are out to maintain their current winning streak.

The group have not been beaten at a New Zealand national paddling event since they formed over a year ago and theyve just added winning the Takapuna Cup to their long list of success and are keen to now put Vaka Eiva on that list.

On the local paddling scene the best paddlers from the islands three clubs have been pulled together to paddle under the national Cook Islands squad banner.

The mens national squad have generated some excitement among the local paddling family as the squad combines the islands best and most experienced paddlers including Reuben Woods and Fletcher Melvin with talented rising paddlers Andre Tutaka-George, Tungane Manuel and Tupuna Amo.

Whether this is a winning combination remains to be seen, but it sure looks good.

Vaka Eiva begins with a traditional vaka blessing this afternoon before serious racing on the water gets started at 8am tomorrow with the OC1 and V1 iron races.

Junior paddlers will also hit the water with the 2km and 4km races through Muri lagoon to be held on Saturday afternoon.

After a day of rest on Sunday the biggest fleet of paddlers will take to the water for the V6 12km and 18km iron races.

Senior paddlers will take another rest day on Tuesday and juniors will take the limelight with more racing on Muri lagoon.

Wednesday and Thursday will be the peak of the serious paddling programme with the round Raro relay for the Pacific Paddle, Pacific Cup and Bob Worthington Memorial Trophy to be staged before everyone lets their hair down for the Muri lagoon sprints, Steinlager Muri Mingler party and paddles up wrap party.

Its shaping up to be yet another exciting, competitive and fun filled Vaka Eiva festival.