Despite a few showers, the weather cooperated for the Cook Islands Canoeing Association’s (CICA) annual Vaka Iti schools oe vaka competition held last week at Muri Beach.

This year, CICA was particularly proud to welcome Aitutaki as part of the Vaka Iti event following a strong level of training, commitment, and fundraising from the Araura oe vaka clubs and communities.

Five schools participated in the event held on Friday, including Apii Te Uki Ou, Titikaveka College, Imanuela Akatemia, Papaaroa, and Araura College from Aitutaki.

Titikaveka College competed in the Vaka Iti schools oe vaka competition. TITIKAVEKA COLLEGE/24041201

Approximately 60 students competed from the grades of Year 8 up to Year 11.

CICA secretary Hayley Weeks said: “All the participants did great with some very close and competitive races and results.”

Weeks said discussions were being held as to whether CICA could potentially look to host a future Vaka Iti competition in Aitutaki for Rarotonga schools to join.

“We hope Vaka Iti will continue to introduce and encourage our youth to become and remain engaged in oe vaka, and that they will remain on the water beyond the event,” said Weeks.

“The youth are the future of our sport and vital for its ongoing success.”

CICA would like to acknowledge the sponsor of Vaka Iti, Bank of the South Pacific (BSP). BSP representatives were present on the day to provide the winning teams with their awards.

Imanuela Akatemia paddlers have a great day in the water at the Vaka Iti oe vaka event. CICA/24041504

The association also thanked the Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) Beachfront Brasserie for allowing the event to be hosted from their facilities.

Weeks extended special thanks to everyone who was involved in supporting the event, from the teachers and coaches to the paddling community and volunteers who helped out on the day.

“These events couldn’t take place without the commitment of those involved and supporting often from behind the scenes.”

CICA’s upcoming event is the Rarotonga Corporates Race Day which will be held on Saturday, April 27, at 21.3 Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro.

This fundraiser is for the elite paddlers heading to World Sprints in Hilo, Hawaii later this year.

Araura College students from Aitutaki participated in the Vaka Iti competition on Rarotonga. ARAURA COLLEGE/24041505

Results

The CICA Vaka Iti results are as follows: Araura College – A, Apii Te Uki Ou – ATUO, Imanuela Akatemia – IA, Papaaroa – P, Titikaveka College – T.

Race 1 Y8/9 Girls: 1st ATUO Y9 Girls time 1.18; 2nd P 1 time 1 1.25; 3rd ATUO 2 time 2 1.27; 4th ATUO 1 time 1 1.28.

Race 2 Y9 Boys: 1st T4, 1.20; 2nd ATUO 4, 1.28; 3rd T3, 1.32.

Race 3 Y10 Girls:1st A1, 1.08; 2nd P2, 1.25; 3rd T1, 1.27.

Race 4 Y10 Boys: 1st A2, 1.04; 2nd T5, 1.06; 3rd P3, 1.08.

Race 5 Y11 Girls: 1st T2, 1.14; 2nd IA 1, 1.17.

Race 6 Y11 Boys: 1st T6, 1.02; 2nd IA 2 1.03; 3rd T7 1.06

Race 7 DIV 1 Girls Semi 1: 1st ATUO 2 (Y8 Girls), 1.28; 2nd P2 (Y10 Girls), 1.32.

Race 8 DIV 1 Boys Semi 1: 1st P3 (Y10 Boys), 1.06; 2nd IA 1 (Y10 Boys), 1.15; 3rd T4 (Y9 Boys) 1.17.

Race 9 DIV 1 Boys Semi 2: 1st T3 (Y9 Boys), 1.09;  2nd ATUO 4 (Y9 Boys) 1.37.

Race 9 DIV 1 Girls Semi 2: 1st T1 (Y10 Girls), 1.23; 2nd ATUO 1 (Y8 Girls), 1.34.

Race 10 DIV 2 Boys Semi 1: 1st T6 (Y11 boys), 1.06; 2nd IA 2 (Y11 Boys), 1.12.

Race 11 DIV 2Boys Semi 2: 2nd A 2 (Y10 Boys), 1.07; 3rd T5 (Y10 Boys), 1.11. DIV 1 Girls Semi 1: 1st  P1 (Y8 Girls), 1.23.

Race 12 DIV 1 Boys Final: 1st T3 (Y9 Boys), 1.04; 2nd P3 (Y10 Boys) 1.05; 3rd T4 (Y9 Boys) 1.18; 4th I1 (Y10 Boys) 1.19.

Race 13 DIV 1 Girls Final: 1st ATUO 2 (Y8 Girls) 1.19; 2nd P1 (Y8 Girls) 1.22; 3rd T1 (Y10 Girls) 1.23; 4th P2 (Y10 Girls) 1.25.

Race 14 DIV 2 Girls final: 1st ATUO Y9 Girls 1.11; 2nd A1 (Y10 Girls) 1.12; 3rd I1 (Y11 Girls) 1.13; 4th T2 (Y11 Girls) 1.21.

Race 15 DIV 2 Boys FINAL:1st A2 (Y10 Boys) 1.04; 2nd T6 (Y11 boys) 1.07; 3rd I2 (Y11 Boys) 1.17; 4th T5 (Y10 Boys) 1.18.

Race 16 Y9 Mixed Race: 1st Araura 1.09; 2nd Papaaroa 1.15; 3rd Titikaveka 1.16; 4th ATOU 1.21.

Race 17 Y10 Mixed Race; 1st Araura 1.03, 2nd Imanuela 1.19; 3rd Papaaroa 1.22; 4th Titikaveka 1.23.

Race 18 Y11 Mixed Race:1st Imanuela 1.17; 2nd Araura 1.18; 3rd Titikaveka 1.34.