Paddling
The year in sports 2023
Sunday 31 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Fishing, Football, Golf, Handball, League, Netball, Pacific Games, Paddling, Rugby league, Rugby Union, Running, Sailing, Sports, Swimming, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball
2023 has been a testament to the dedication and talent of Cook Islands athletes across various sports. Cook Islands News’ Losirene Lacanivalu delves into some of the most remarkable sporting achievements that made headlines in 2023.
Makoha blazes through Round Raro Relay
Saturday 2 December 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Paddling, Sports
The 2023 Vaka Eiva concluded yesterday with the exhilarating Round Raro Relay, a 36-kilometre race where paddlers navigated challenging sea conditions to reach the finish line.
Oe Vaka juniors brave the waves
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
In very testing conditions, local and Aotearoa New Zealand junior paddlers hit the water on Wednesday afternoon in the Vaka Eiva Junior 6km course which saw eight canoes head out from Avarua Harbour to the Club Raro buoy turnaround back towards the Avatiu Harbour, and back to the start.
Age no barrier for 65-year-old Vaka Eiva competitor
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
A 65-year-old Hawaii-based woman who has returned to Rarotonga to compete in the Vaka Eiva for the first time in 13 years says she will be paddling “until I’m dead”.
Love conquers the waves : Couples team paddles to victory in Vaka Eiva Mixed Race
Thursday 30 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Due to challenging swell and wind conditions, the highly anticipated Vaka Eiva Mixed Round Rarotonga change-over course was modified to a 30-kilometre race from Avarua Harbour to the Matavera point turnaround, extending out to Arorangi and back.
Young paddlers showcase their skills
Wednesday 29 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Eager junior paddlers were thrilled to finally hit the water at Nikao Beach for the Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints yesterday, having missed their Saturday race due to unfavourable sea conditions.
Cook Islands paddlers reign supreme
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Pacific Games, Paddling, Sports
Cook Islands paddlers dominated the V6 12-kilometre races on day two of the 2023 Vaka Eiva yesterday.
Cook Islands oe vaka team paddles to podium with bronze medals
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Pacific Games, Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands oe vaka team added two bronze medals to Team Cook Islands’ tally yesterday at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Tutaka-George claims bronze at Pacific Games
Monday 27 November 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Pacific Games, Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands oe vaka team got their Pacific Games campaign with a good start after claiming bronze medal in the men’s singles event yesterday.
Paddlers battle tough conditions
Monday 27 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
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.
Inspiring the next generation of paddlers
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Over the past 23 years, the Ngakau Toa Vaka canoeing club of Rarotonga has continued to promote, train and encourage paddlers in the sport. The club is excited with the return of Vaka Eiva which starts this morning.
Kiwi vaka crew rescued during choppy conditions in lead up to canoeing comp
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Paddling, Sports
Choppy conditions on the water led to a spill for six members of a Kiwi Vaka Eiva team, who had to be assisted by diver operators and Police, yesterday morning.
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.