Top young Tahitian world champion paddler 18 year old Mihinoa Paari is definitely one to watch for in this year’s Matson Vaka Eiva.

Bursting on to the international scene last year with a win in the U19 V1 at Samoa’s IVF world marathon championships she backed that up with a haul of medals at this year’s Hilo IVF World sprints championships collecting six gold and two silver medals including the U19 v1 500m title.

Paari will be racing in the singles event on Saturday, as well as joining the Ngakau Toa women’s crew for both the iron v6 on Monday and the Round Raro changes race on Friday, and is here to win. 

“I love new challenges and will give my all to secure first place, looking to enjoy myself while paddling in an ocean I’m not familiar with,” said Paari.

Sponsored by Viper Vaa Rarotonga, Paari is excited to be in Rarotonga for Vaka Eiva.

While in Rarotonga, Paari is also holding paddling clinics for interested paddlers, including a clinic with Ngakau Toa’s junior 19 girls to help share what makes her a champion.

“Mihinoa is a role model for young athletes in Tahiti, inspiring many to take up the sport,” says Viper Rarotonga’s Vaea Melvin.

Paari is proving herself a force in her homeland, this year winning Te Aito v1 U19 and placing fourth in the open, and also taking out the U19 title in the hotly contested Tahoé race.  Her journey in vaa began at age 13 paddling for team Tamarii Mataiea, and she is coached by Hiromana Flores, who is also here in Rarotonga to compete in Vaka eiva.

Paari looks forward to paddling with the Ngakau Toa ladies, some of whom she competed against at the 2023 Pacific Games as part of the gold medal winning Tahitian crew.