Pacific

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 […]

Sprints, partying at Muri

The weather at Muri yesterday was perfect for Vaka Eiva partying and sprint races with some great times seen throughout the days racing. A rousing and spine tingling Turou (traditional welcome) got the blood of the 600 plus paddlers and supporters pumping as they were escorted across Muri beach by fierce Cook Islands warriors. The […]

Sweet idea inspires organisers

Inspired by 17-year-old paddler Jenaya Davis, Vaka Eiva organisers are running a ‘guess how many jelly beans’ competition to raise more funds for Te Vaerua Rehabilitation Service. Before coming to Rarotonga for her second Vaka Eiva – Davis raised funds for Te Vaerua at her high school in Queensland. She raised $400 and inspired Vaka […]

Boiler brings in the money

Tuesday’s Trader Jacks charity boiler swim for all Vaka Eiva paddlers and supporters raised $800 for Te Vaerua Rehabilitation Service. Despite the wet and ‘cold’ conditions – 74 hardy swimmers took to the water for the fun annual swim around the boiler just outside the Avarua harbour. Each swimmer made a gold coin donation to […]

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

Fun day for young paddlers

Yesterday’s Mapu Sprints in Muri was all about fun and games for the 140 junior paddlers taking part in the Vaka Eiva Festival. Paddlers and supporters began the day with a tree planting ceremony at the Nukupure Park before they were officially welcomed to Muri beach with a traditional Turou by the junior sponsors Pacific […]

Coconut racers!

Boiler Babes paddler Jana Roberts leads the pack of coconut racers back up the beach at Muri yesterday. The Mapu Sprints in Muri was all about fun and games for the 140 junior paddlers taking part in the Vaka Eiva Festival. Story, page 16. 10112354

OC1 and V1 differences explained

From the shore, all the single-man canoes in Saturday’s race looked similar, if not the same – but there are fundamental and decisive differences between the OC1 and the V1, which even some paddlers wouldn’t be able to explain. Some competitors were paddling rudderless outrigger canoes, designed and used by Tahitian paddlers; others were using […]

Brogan and Howard wrap up golf season

The Rarotonga Golf Club golf season has come to an end for another year. The final event on the club calendar was the finals of the Club Stroke Championships. This was a gruelling event on the last day with all divisions apart from the vets playing 36 holes. Some finalists were able to set up […]

'Perfect storm' hits race

A freak squall threw 25-knot southerly winds and heavy rain that reduced visibility to 50 metres at the best of the best yesterday in the defining race of Vaka Eiva – the 18km open men’s V6 Iron. The mini storm seemed perfectly planned to test them in timing, endurance, bailing, steering and courage all at […]

Tree planting, Boiler swim part of festival

A tree planting ceremony is taking place this morning from 8am at Nukupure Park in Muri, to tie in with the Vaka Eiva 2010 paddling tournament. The joint initiative by the National Environment Service (NES) and Muri Environment Care Group will see at least 20 trees planted, which will be looked after by the wider […]

Day 2 photos

Cooks paddlers in the medals

Cook Islanders were in the medals once again yesterday in an exciting day of V6 Iron races. The masters/senior masters and U19 men kicked racing off in the morning over 12km. Always a race to watch, the masters paddlers didn’t disappoint with a battle from the start. The strong Raiatea Hoe crew kept the lead […]

Kings rule the waves

The Crown Beach Kings oe vaka crew have set the tone for Vaka Eiva 2010 with three podium finishes in Saturday’s 18km men’s Iron race. In conditions that can only be described as brutal – 30 open men paddlers pushed their way to Avana in three metre seas and howling 25 knot winds. The conditions […]

Making waves!

Singles OC1 and V1 results from Saturday, 20 Nov

The singles Iron races were run in two categories for the first time this year – the conventional OC1 canoes with rudders, and the rudderless V1 canoes which are dominant in Tahiti and are increasing in the other paddling countries of Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Cook Islands.

Takuvaine wins

Takuvaine has succeeded against Arorangi in the Lotto Premier Men’s match on Saturday, winning 3-1. Arorangi took the lead through young Luke Tukaroa with a penalty in the first half. But it was for a short while as Takuvaine came back to equalise before the half time whistle. Takuvaine regrouped at half time and came […]

It's all action

If conditions today are as brutal as Saturday – expect to see some outstanding paddling in the V6 Iron races. It will be all about teamwork today and based on Saturday’s V1 and OC1 results – the international Australian Crown Beach Kings is the team to watch. The international Boiler Boys crew are also expected […]

Takuvaine face Arorangi

Today Takuvaine will make the trip towards the western side of the island as they will face Arorangi on home soil. Kicking off today’s games will be the Under 15 Girls at 1.30pm. In the Premier Men’s division Takuvaine will be keen to walk away with a win against Arorangi to keep their third place […]