A 65-year-old Hawaii-based woman who has returned to Rarotonga to compete in the Vaka Eiva for the first time in 13 years says she will be paddling “until I’m dead”.

American paddler Jane McKee, who previously took part in the Cook Islands’ international outrigger canoe regatta in 2009 and 2010, said it felt “great” coming back to the South Pacific nation to “find the same great friends and the same welcome”.

“We feel like it’s a kindred island,” McKee said.

A member of the Chang Gang women’s team, McKee said the crew – organised by Denise Darval-Chang – decided to compete in the Vaka Eiva after “crushing it” in the over 60s category of the International Va’a Federation World Long Distance Championships in Samoa in August.

McKee is also part of mixed team Kolohe Kupuna, meaning “rascally old people” in Hawaiian.

The new direct flight between Hawaii and Rarotonga was a factor in her decision to compete in Rarotonga for the first time in 13 years, as the transit through New Zealand in previous years chewed up two days and made committing to the event difficult.

McKee started her paddling career more than 30 years ago, in 1992.

“I was walking in Santa Barbara, and down on the beach were all these outrigger canoes. They were doing a 15-mile (24.14-kilometre) race and I instantly wanted to join.

“I paddled there for seven years, San Diego for two years, and now Hawaii for 21 years.”

She claimed the title of the sport’s California State Champion in the late 1990s and Hawaii State Champion in 2003, 2004, and 2006.

Her accolades included third place in the Moloka’i to O’ahu solo race in 2010, at age 52 – a feat which saw her best every man in her age group.

McKee did not plan to stop paddling “until I’m dead”.

“Just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you can’t compete,” she said.

“People are paddling in their 80s, and why not? As long as you’re not injured, it’s so fun and you make friends all over the world.

“You’ve just got to love it. It does get harder as you get older, but you just have to manage whatever life throws at you and keep going.”

McKee – who has competed in multiple countries including Tahiti, New Zealand, and Canada – said one of her favourite things about the sport was the “connection with the ocean”.

“You can have the worst day in the world, then you get into the water and it all falls away.

“It’s mesmerising doing a down-winder and catching a wave, and seeing a pod of dolphins go by.”

Originally from California, McKee “fell in love” with Hawaii at age nine when her family began holidaying in the island state once a year.

“That was long before the high-rises. I feel fortunate I got to see it like that, so I’ll always be grateful to Dad for that,” she said.

“As an adult, when I started paddling, I was over there five times a year. Hawaii is the Mecca of paddling. It got to the point where Hawaii was more home than the mainland.”

McKee moved to Hawaii on December 3, 2002.

“I’ll never forget the day, I was so happy.”

McKee works in construction as a site safety and health officer in O’ahu.

“I love it because I get to work at 6am and I’m off at 2.30pm, and then I get to paddle.”