Aitutaki and Rarotonga oe vaka paddlers are representing the Cook Islands at the 20th IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championship 2024 in Hilo, Hawai’i, from August 13 to 24.

Dani Adendorff from Aitutaki raced in the Open Women’s V1 500 for the first time.

“It was an experience I’ll never forget,” Adendorff said.

She adds so far, it’s been an amazing experience.

Entering the race, her goals were not to flip in the canoe, to stay in her lane and not to finish last.

“I was stoked to have ticked all those boxes and learnt many valuable lessons.”

Adendorff was also genuinely shocked to have progressed from the first heat of her race.

Team Aitutaki completed their V1 races yesterday, and today the Aitutaki paddlers will start their V6 races.

The Under19 Elite Girls team from Rarotonga have also completed their races.

Pourie Kaina, one of team members, said “it was a really new and good experience for all of us”.

“This would’ve been our first time training together for sprints, so it has been a very good opportunity and learning experience.”

Aitutaki Oe Vaka Club is grateful to their sponsors Stonefish Studios and the Jeffries family for sharing their vision to get the team to the IVF World Sprints.

Every competing athlete received a full travelling kit, with a paddling uniform fully sponsored by Stonefish Studios. 

The club would like to thank all their friends and families on the island for their support and a special thank you to Papa Orometua Ngaporohaki Taia and their proud parents.

The U19 elite paddling girls would like to say a huge meitaki maata to their sponsors TAV Pacific, Onu, BSP, TVK, CITC, Prime Foods, Purotu Spas, Emilene Designs, Ngakau Toa Vaka, and the Cook Islands Canoeing Association, and friends and families.