Maevatini regatta on Aitutaki lagoon

Aitutaki lagoon shone brightly this Queen’s Birthday weekend, as the inaugural Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa ‘Maevatini Oe Vaka Regatta’ was pronounced a huge success by all taking part.

With teams from all three Aitutaki clubs, local social teams and individual paddlers from Rarotonga all competing, there was plenty of action in the crystal clear waters of the lagoon.

Saturday was long distance racing and it was a perfect day with a little cloud cover keeping the paddlers cool.

There were 4km, 6km, and 12km races with the longest course stretching out towards Akaimi.

Racing in the Men’s V6 12km was very tight with a team of experienced Rarotonga paddlers (supported by some local talent) taking first place, over the Toa Moana Aitutaki Masters Men team. The Open Women’s 12km was won by Aitutaki Oe Vaka 1 over the well dressed ladies from Vaka Vaina who wowed the crowd in their hot pink pareus.

V6 and V1 500m sprints were held on Monday. The course received high praise from visiting paddlers with the deep azure blue waters, straight 500m course and easily viewed finish line, making the Aitutaki Lagoon an ideal location for international level competitions.

Tamarikiriki, Juniors, Seniors, Open and Masters all gathered together to celebrate the weekend with prizegivings held at both Samade (Saturday) and the Boatshed (Sunday). Junior Maoate, President of the Araura oe Vaka Association had the chance to thank the many sponsors, especially the host venue, Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa.

The Maevatini Regatta was the culmination of a very successful series of four oe vaka competitions on Aitutaki.

Maevatini will become an annual fixture on the Aitutaki calendar and next year hopes to increase the number of Rarotonga and International paddlers attending.

- Michael Shah, secretary of

TToa Moana oe vaka club

Aito qualifiers in Aitutaki page 9