The biggest annual event in the Oe Vaka calendar kicked off on Saturday, with 16 vaka taking to the water for the long-distance iron races.

Each of the three local clubs – Ngakau Toa Vaka, Te Tupu O Te Manava and Live Free –were represented on the day, with wins across the board for all.

The open divisions (women’s, men’s and mixed) raced 15 kilometres, from the Boiler to Matavera to Panama, and back into Trader Jacks.

Everything was on the line in this race, with both men and women from each club having battled it out for line honours throughout the season.

After seven months of solid training both on and off the water, the men from Ngakau Toa Vaka (NTV) were overjoyed to cross the finish line first.

Coach and steerer Tupuna Amo said that he couldn’t be happier.

“Many of our men only started paddling this year, and really deserve this success after the hard yards they’ve put in. I’m really so proud of them.”

Te Tupu O Te Manava’s (TT) two crews closed off the podium with second and third, respectively, and NTV’s second crew finishing fourth.

After several wins apiece over the 2021 season, the open women’s race was won by Te Tupu O Te Manava.

Coach Serena Hunter said: “It was a good tough race. We’ve had an exciting tussle with NTV ladies over the V6 season, so it was great to put everything on the line in the Nationals.”

“It’s awesome also to have so many fresh faces on the paddling scene, and wish everyone the best in the races ahead.”

Coming in second was Ngakau Toa’s crew who ensured the competition remained fierce for the entire race. Te Tupu’s second and third open women’s crews came in third and fourth, respectively.

NTV also won the open mixed division fielding a crew of new and experienced paddlers.

The junior, master’s and senior master’s divisions raced 12km from the Boiler to Matavera and back into Trader Jacks.

“This is the first year paddling for many of our juniors across all three clubs, and their effort throughout this year is proof that the future of Oe Vaka is in strong hands,” said Serena Hunter.

“It’s been great to see the development and increase in numbers of local paddlers across the board.”

In the junior races, the nerves were high. Live Free entered two teams in the U16 men and U19 women’s race. Ngakau Toa entered two teams in the U19’s mixed and U16 women’s divisions.

Teina Taulu, president of Cook Islands Canoeing Association, said: “They are all champions in our eyes and we celebrate and congratulate them all on their achievements.”

Today the U16 paddlers will race again, a distance of 5km.

Te Tupu have a new girls’ crew of 12 – 13-year-olds, competing in their first race. They have been training for the last four months under coaches Tina Mitchell and Serena Hunter who are looking forward to seeing them in their first ocean race.

Competition will be tough with entries also from the experienced paddlers of Live Free and NTV clubs.

Throughout the season, the Ngakau Toa Aunties have faithfully competed in the race calendar, and were the only entry for the Master Women (40+) division. “Well done ladies,” Taulu said.

In the senior masters mixed division (ages 50+), Te Tupu O Te Manava’s seniors proved age is no barrier, fielding two teams, where they would take out both first and second places. 

On Wednesday, the 12km singles race will commence at 4.30pm from Avarua Harbour, followed by the last and biggest race of the year – the 36km Round Rarotonga Relay Race – where it will be the last chance in 2021 for all clubs to demonstrate the work they’ve put in over the year.

The Cook Islands Canoeing Association (CICA) would like to thank event sponsors and supporters: Federal Pacific, Maritime Cook Islands, and Trader Jacks, as well as all those who are helping with safety on and off the water.

- CICA

Results

V6 12km: Juniors, Masters and Senior Masters Divisions – 1^st Live Free (U16 Men) 100% Woe Vaka – 59.43 minutes, 2^nd Te Tupu (Senior Master Mix) Sani (s) – 1.00.04 hours, 3^rd Te Tupu (Senior Master Mix) Maki (s) – 1.01.09 hours, 4^th Ngakau Toa (U19 Mix) Jade (s) – 1.05.25 hours, 5^th Live Free (U19 Women) 100% Woe Vaka – Natalie (s) – 1.07.05 hours, 6^th Ngakau Toa (Master Women) Aunties – 1.07.21 hours, 7^th Ngakau Toa (U16 Women) Aleida (s) – 1.14.31.

V6 15km: Open Divisions – 1^st Ngakau Toa (Open Men) Tupuna (steerer) – 1.03.40, 2^nd Te Tupu (Open Men) Reuben (s) – 1.06.15, 3^rd Te Tupu (Open Men) Ray (s) – 1.09.52, 4^th Ngakau Toa (Open Men) Fletcher (s) – 1.12.52, 5^th Te Tupu (Open Women) Paulina (s) – 1.13.52, 6^th Ngakau Toa (Open Women) Joyce (s) – 1.16.19, 7^th Ngakau Toa (Open Mix) Marie (s) – 1.19.10, 8^th Te Tupu (Open Women) Tina (s) – 1.22.51, 9^th Te Tupu Open Women Samantha (s) – 1.26.46.

Programme

Monday – Junior U16 5km Race at Vaka Shed, Avarua Harbour, 4pm Registration, 4.30pm Race Start; Tuesday – The Boiler Swim 700m - Gold Coin Charity Donation hosted by CI Aquatics Federation at the Loading Bay Ramp/Beach, Avarua Harbour from 4pm; Wednesday – OC1/V1 12km Iron Races all Divisions at Vaka Shed, Avarua Harbour from 4.00pm Registration, 4.30pm Race Start; Thursday – Free day; Friday – Free day; Saturday – Round Raro Relay Race 36km (10 paddlers – all divisions) at Vaka Shed, Avarua Harbour. 11.00am Registration and mid-day Race start, Mix n Mingle, Prize Giving & Dinner at Trader Jacks from 5pm.