Pacific

Rambo's back

After shooting Vaka Eiva footage for three years, Rambo has become something of a Vaka Eiva icon to returning paddlers. Ian ‘Rambo’ Newland, who hails from the Sunshine Coast, makes a living travelling the world filming open ocean outrigger events. He’s been paddling competitively for over 20 years, and has become famous in outrigger circles […]

Paddler's Paradise found

By Jane McKee I have paddled in races all over the world and Vaka Eiva has got to be the ultimate in outrigger race venues. No-where else compares to the combination of race organisation, choice of races, and all out fun. What I really enjoy is the schedule. There is a rest day between races […]

Premiership decider today

The Lotto Premiership soccer title will be decided today with Nikao Sokattak taking on Takuvaine, and Tupapa Maraerenga playing Arorangi at Raemaru Park. Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa are both on 28 points, however, if both teams win their games today the premiership title will be decided on goal difference. Both matches are scheduled to kick […]

Why it's so special

ICONIC Vaka Eiva videographer ‘Rambo’ called Vaka Eiva ‘the most fun event on the outrigger planet’ – and while my paddling experience is limited and I can’t definitively agree one way or the other, I’m inclined to believe him. This week, Rarotonga came alive to embrace oe vaka and the people who love it. In […]

Muri woman roll on

Muri seem unstoppable heading into the second to last round of the women’s Edgewater Saturday morning Cricket competition. Muri have had an amazing end of season comeback, similar to that of their male club mates who were crowned Computer Man Champs last week. Arorangi who collected the first competition winners honours this season still have […]

Boiler Boys win Pacific Cup

The coveted Pacific Cup will stay local after yesterday’s Vaka Eiva 2010 final race – the open men Round Raro V6 relay. After his race, International Boiler Boys stroker William Vogel said he knew his crew was in it for the win. As predicted, the Boiler Boys – local Te Tupu O Te Manava paddlers, […]

Day 6 photos

Hawaiian girls retain relay title

The Big Island Girls crew from Hawaii have retained the Round Raro relay Pacific Paddle trophy after a thrilling sprint finish in Avarua harbour yesterday. Big Island Girls, Lara’s Lot from New Zealand and the Makana Alii crew from Hawaii battled toe-to-toe for most of yesterday’s open women’s Round Raro race, which headed clockwise around […]

Day 5 photos

Boys bounce back

Mixed boys crew Cook Islands International tipped over in the junior under 19 open ocean race of Vaka Eiva yesterday morning. The crew was made up of Cook Islanders, New Zealanders and Australians. They were offshore from Club Raro about 2km from the finish line in the 15km race when they were caught by a […]

Unsquashable!

Of all the crews racing Vaka Eiva this year, the Unsquashables might have the least combined paddling experience – but they’re probably having the most fun. A few months ago, a group of local squash players were having some post-tournament drinks, and spontaneously resolved to enter the biggest and most competitive paddling festival of the […]

Kiwi and Hawaiian juniors win 15km

Eight under 19 oe vaka crews took on the challenge of yesterday’s 15km open ocean race in hot and calm conditions with the Kiwi and Hawaiian crew proving to be the strongest on the day. Under 19 men’s crew King Justice from Te Puu Ao Tuturu club in New Zealand cleaned up their division in […]

U15 battle

Today’s soccer match will see the Under 15 girls battling it out at Raemaru Park at 4.15pm. Tupapa are currently sitting on top of the points table while Arorangi sit in third place. A win to Tupapa will see them take the Round Cup competition in the Under 15 girls division for 2010. Draw and […]

Battle for glory

As Muri cricketers celebrate last week’s crowning as The Computer Man top four winner, it’s over to the bottom six competitors to battle it out tomorrow for bottom six glory. Three teams are restless at the top of the table. Titikaveka Titans, Tupapa 1 and Takuvaine are all on 12 points and ANZ Avatiu-Nikao are […]

Worthingtons win for dad

Paka and Tapa and crew win inaugural Round Raro race A star-studded crew called Okotai (as one) blitzed yesterday’s inaugural Vaka Eiva Round Raro race for mixed crews in what was an emotional race for brothers Paka and Tapa Worthington. The brothers will lift their late father Bob Worthington’s memorial trophy at today’s awards presentations. […]

Like father, like son

This year’s Vaka Eiva marks the first time champion paddler Chris Maynard and his 18-year-old son Jackson have raced together. Chris said it was a “big thrill” to race with his own flesh and blood in Monday’s V6 Iron – “words can’t describe it”, he said. Tuesday was also the first time Jackson and Chris […]

Day 4 photos

Business house golf tees off

The Business house golf ambrose starts today and tomorrow for 11 weeks, with break during the Christmas and New Year period. The conveners for 2010/11, Ned Howard, and his working committee anticipate another high turnout for the long 11 week tournament. This tournament will test the caliber of non playing members who would like to […]

Paddlers head around Raro

Another full day of paddling is on the cards today with the mixed round Raro relay and junior open ocean races. Junior under 19 paddlers will kick start the day’s races with their 15km open ocean race at 8am. Junior men and women crews will race at the same time while the under 14 and […]

Late call pays off for Cohen

Until four weeks ago, OC1 champion Todd Cohen didn’t know he’d be paddling in this year’s Vaka Eiva festival. But when Crown Beach Kings teammate Chris Maynard rallied him and some other paddling buddies together last month to form a makeshift Vaka Eiva crew, Cohen promptly upped his training regime. For a month he was […]