Paddling
Celebrating 20 years of friendship
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
International paddling coach Vesna Radonich, a former Aotearoa New Zealand and world sprint champion, is back on Rarotonga for her eighth Vaka Eiva, with three crews of ladies she coaches.
Junior paddlers ready to splash
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Paddling, Sports
Junior racing has been cut from this year’s Vaka Eiva, but that will not keep the Cook Islands and New Zealand’s young paddlers out of the water during the event.
Harvie Allison: The man behind the lens of Vaka Eiva
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
The Australia-based official photographer for the international Vaka Eiva competition calls the Cook Islands his “second home”.
Hawaiian paddlers bring Aloha spirit
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
A large contingent of Hawaiian paddlers will be gracing Rarotonga’s shores for Vaka Eiva, including some who participated in the inaugural event in 2004.
Welcome!
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Paddling, Sports
Turou … Oro Mai, Aere Mai ... Kia Orana e te au toa oe vaka no va’o mai te akau ia Rarotonga.
Serena’s on the hunt again
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
As the start of Vaka Eiva approaches, Serena Hunter, the Cook Islands very own world champion paddler, is “stoked” to see the popular event back on water again and eagerly awaits the start of the competition tomorrow.
Back in the paddle: Vaka Eiva returns after four-year pandemic pause
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the highly anticipated Vaka Eiva ‘oe vaka’ outrigger canoeing competition, the country’s biggest ocean sporting event which guarantees a display of world class skill and endurance.
Proud Oe Vaka junior girls receive world medals
Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands Under 16 junior girls oe vaka world champions are proud and excited to finally be presented with their bronze medals, after their epic race at the 2023 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships (10 - 19th August) in Apia, Samoa.
More than 350 overseas paddlers set to descend on Rarotonga for the Vaka Eiva
Saturday 16 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands premier oe vaka paddling event, the internationally renowned Matson Vaka Eiva, is attracting great interest from overseas paddlers.
Brutal last race at Va’a World Champs
Friday 18 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
It was a ‘brutal race’ in the Open Men’s V6 24-kilometre race on the last day of the International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships in Apia, Samoa yesterday.
Medals for Cook Islands Oe Vaka at World Champs
Wednesday 16 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Team Cook Islands achieved podium finishes at the 2023 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships in Apia, Samoa.
Cook Islands’ outfits draw compliments at World Paddling Championships opening
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The 2023 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships officially opened in Apia, Samoa yesterday morning with a spectacular fleet of canoes paddling into the harbour and a powerful dance by Samoan warriors.
‘Fittest’ Oe Vaka squad to World Sprints
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands is sending its largest ever squad to the International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships to be held from August 10-19 in Apia, Samoa.
Paddlers Producing Good Results for the World Champs in Samoa
Tuesday 18 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Te Tupu O Te Manava paddlers Andre Tutaka George and Serena Hunter took out the Cook Islands Canoeing Association (CICA) national singles championships over the weekend in a hotly contested 18k race from Avana harbour to the Arorangi jetty.
Just getting warmed up … Temperatures drop in Rarotonga
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Paddling, Sports, Weather
Unfazed by the cold and rain yesterday, paddlers went out to sea outside Trader Jacks to continue with what they love doing – paddling.
Students make a splash at Junior Paddling Regatta
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
After a lapse of three years, this year’s Vaka Iti drew over 300 students from the schools of Nukutere College, Te Uki Ou Year 9, Imanuela Akatemia, Papaaroa Adventist, Titikaveka College and Tereora College Year 9, 10 and 11.
Young paddlers ready for Vaka Iti Junior Paddling Regatta
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Paddling, Sports
Around 300 to 400 students will be part of the Vaka Iti – Junior Paddling Regatta tomorrow at Nikao Beach.
Sixteen teams to battle in Oe Vaka Corporate Race
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Paddling, Sports
The fun filled Oe Vaka Corporate Race will return this afternoon at Vaiana’s Beach in Nikao after a lapse of four years due to Covid pandemic.
Motu2Motu draws impressive numbers of internationals
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
One hundred and sixty-eight (168) international Oe Vaka paddlers and spectators from around the globe have made the pilgrimage to Aitutaki, to paddle in arguably the world’s most picturesque paddling event.
Nationals set platform for Vaka Eiva 23
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Cook Island Canoeing Association (CICA) has hailed the thrilling Oe Vaka Nationals competition held from November 19 to 26 a huge success.
