The 2023 Vaka Eiva got off to a rough start with tough sea conditions prompting organisers to call off junior’s races over the weekend.

races for men and women in all divisions were held on day one. Difficult conditions on the day prompted the safety committee to suspend the junior races.

Cook Islands’ top male paddler Reuben Dearlove was on course to finish first (overall) in the 12km race however a tactical mistake at the first turn missing the buoy cost him his 100-metre lead. Instead, Dearlove, who claimed the master men V1 division title, was relegated to second position behind the eventual winner Hiromana Flores who won the open men V1 division with a time of 55.51 minutes. Dearlove, who fought hard after the tactical mistake, clocked 58.13 minutes.

JB Ioaba won the open men OC1 title with a time of 1 hour 19 seconds while the master OC1 prize went to Conrad Hunter who clocked 1 hour 1.14 minutes followed closely by Damien Beddoes in 1 hour 1.27 minutes.

Unlike the men’s competition, the women’s competition had a smaller field as some paddlers decided to withdraw as they were not sure of their ability in the testing conditions.

In the open women event, Cook Islands’ top female paddler Serena Hunter put on a dominant performance claiming an easy victory in OC1. Hunter finished the race in 1 hour 1.23 minutes followed by Vanita Glassie in 1.29.13 hours.

In the open women V1 division, Te Rina Leubert finished in first place in 1 hour 14.15 minutes, followed by Talissa Koteka in 1.16.53 hour and Samantha Ellison in 1.20.36 hour.

In a Facebook post, Hunter said: “What an awesome first day of Vaka Eiva racing. Weather Gods didn’t disappoint with some good wind and wave action.”

“Congrats to all the ladies who got on that start line, they were tough conditions, and hats off to those who battled through on V1. I opted to play on my lovely Kahele.

“It was pretty awesome having a family affair out there, with hubby (Conrad Hunter) coming in third overall, and Teava (Hunter) keeping his dad in his sights but that surf experience pretty hard to beat, a good second OC1 open placing son and Talissa (Koteka) having a super race on her V1, second open. Awesome stuff and pretty special having our babies welcoming and cheering us all on the finish line. Looking forward to the week ahead.”

In the fun V6 1.6km division, it was decided not to let the juniors race due to the conditions. Two races were held and teams were selected from paddlers from different clubs.

The V6 fun races started 30 seconds apart from Trader Jacks heading to The Islander Hotel and return – a short race but certainly testing conditions. The results were determined by time.

The opening day of races concluded with the opening dinner and presentation of prizes for the day’s races at The Islander Hotel.

It was a fantastic night enjoyed by our visitors with Akirata Cultural Dance Troupe thrilling the audience with their cultural display. Dinner was enjoyed by all and presentations to the day’s winners was well received.

Today, the singles finale will be held in V6 category. The local paddlers are expected to dominate given the conditions.

Results

Women’s Singles Race, 12km: Senior Master Women - V1 Division – 1. Yvonne Rogers 1.33.41, 2. Rosina Wikaira 1.40.35; Senior Master Women - OC1 Division – 1. Paulina Beddoes 1.05.37, 2. Bernie Murch 1.10.31, 3. Joy Brahmst 1.37.28; Master Women - V1 Division – 1. Vesna Radonich 1.10.43, 2. Ngawai Ormsby 1.33.30; Open Women - V1 Division – 1. Te Rina Leubert 1.14.15, 2. Talissa Koteka 1.16.53, 3. Samantha Ellison 1.20.36; Open Women - OC1 Division – 1. Serena Hunter 1.01.23, 2. Vanita Glassie 1.29.13 – 3. Jasmin McInerney 1.45.10. Men’s Singles Race, 12km: Golden Master Men - V1 Division – Grant Barriball 1.12.33; Golden Master Men - OC1 Division – 1. Franz Rieger 1.11.01, 2. Sani Sosene 1.30.28; Senior Master Men - V1 Division – 1. Phil Ave 1.02.45, 2. Richard Denny 1.06.37, 3. Arno Theijssen 1.08.50; Senior Master Men - OC1 Division – Daniel Wikaira 1.05.51; Master Men - V1 Division – 1. Reuben Dearlove 0.58.13, 2. Ali Webb 1.03.26, 3. Callum O'Leary 1.10.26; Master Men - OC1 Division – 1. Conrad Hunter 1.01.14, 2. Damien Beddoes 1.01.27, 3. Craig Allen 1.15.25; Open Men - V1 Division – 1. Hiromana Flores 0.55.51, 2. Damien Heather 1.02.13, 3. AJ 1.02.42; Open Men - OC1 Division – 1. JB Ioaba 1.00.19, 2. Teava Hunter 1.02.17, 3. Corey Fisher 1.05.82.