Choppy conditions on the water led to a spill for six members of a Kiwi Vaka Eiva team, who had to be assisted by diver operators and Police, yesterday morning.

They were paddling in the vicinity of the Maitai Shipwreck, otherwise known as The Boiler, when they ran into trouble about 10am.

The boat flipped as they were making a turn.

No one was injured, only a bit of “injured pride”, Roly Rolleston, vice president of the Cook Islands Canoeing Association said.

“Everyone is OK, they are in good spirits.”

A couple of boats assisted as the crew abandoned the canoe. The Police boat Kukupa was also called to assist and went out to pick up the six paddlers. 

Rolleston said paddlers are trained to self-right canoes but there was a “bit of chop” yesterday.

The boat washed over the reef and was eventually washed back into shore.

Rolleston said only minor scratches were reported to the canoe.

The annual paddling competition is returning after a lapse of four years due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The blessing of the canoes and a traditional welcome for the paddlers, including over 350 international competitors, was held yesterday afternoon at the Vaka Shed.

The races will begin this morning with the OC1 and V1 12-kilometre Iron Challenge, followed by V6 1.6km Fun Mixed Race and V6 6km Junior Race. The opening ceremony, dinner and prize giving for singles and V6 fun mixed races will be held tonight at The Islander Hotel.

In a separate incident, Rolleston confirmed a woman paddler had been poisoned by a stonefish in the Avarua harbour on Wednesday. Warning signs had been subsequently installed in the area, advising people not to “mingle” in the water.

He said the woman was recovering.