Pacific

Be hungry, eat the race!

Rising star learns to paddle from within Paddle from the heart, read the waves, don’t hold back and trust yourself. This is a mantra that Kiwi paddler Vesna Aroha Radonich goes through as she prepares to take to the water. Her favourite mantra though is – be hungry, eat the race! Vesna, who is of […]

Ocean art on show

Since 2004, The Art Studio in Arorangi has been paying tribute to Vaka Eiva with stunning displays of painted paddles. This year, the gallery will again showcase paddles, but has opened its exhibit to include paintings and other works of art. “Normally it’s just the paddles – we’ve done that very successfully since the beginning […]

Making news on the ocean waves

In between court reporting and police news – Cook Islands News reporter Rachel Reeves has been putting in the hard yards on the water ahead of her first Vaka Eiva festival. The 22-year-old was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California, and is American and German on her mother’s side and Atiuan and British on […]

Main race times to beat

Memorial race round island

Mixed crews are this year racing around the island in pursuit of the Bob Worthington Memorial Mixed Trophy. Last year, Te Tupu O Te Manava 2 won the trophy in the V6 Avana Iron Mixed Race – this year marks the first year that paddlers will circle the island to win Worthington’s namesake. Mixed crews […]

Boiler swim in aid of Te Vaerua

Paddlers, supporters and the general public are invited to swim the 750 metres out to the iconic Boiler in front of Trader Jack’s and back to raise funds for charity. The swim will be on Tuesday at 5pm, and anyone is welcome to join – all you need is a gold coin and your togs. […]

Security warning

While police and security officers are stepping up their patrol presence during Vaka Eiva, paddlers and supporters are still advised to take ‘commonsense’ safety precautions, as it will be one of the busiest weeks of the year. Police will be doing extra patrols – day and night – during Vaka Eiva and will be posted […]

Beware of the nasties!

Paddlers should be wary of stonefish and bluebottles and should know that local paddlers have recently been stung by both – by stonefish on the slipway at Trader Jack’s and by bluebottles during water changeovers. In the past two weeks, nurses have treated a number of bluebottle stings. So be on the lookout for bluebottles […]

It will make $2m

This year’s Vaka Eiva 2010 is expected to generate almost $2 million for the local economy, on par with last year’s week-long festival which brought in an estimated total gross economic revenue of $1.92 million. Last year 801 participants from five different countries participated in Oe Vaka events in the waters of Rarotonga. This year […]

Don't touch Horouta's kai!

Don’t Touch My Food is a junior boys team from New Zealand that will be competing this year in the 12km from Avarua to Matavera and back, in Tuesday’s sprints at Muri and in the 15km on Thursday. Don’t Touch My Food are the current NZ J13 sprint champs – though some paddlers have moved […]

Carved pearl medals and arapitia trophies

Vaka Eiva winners will walk away with beautifully engraved mother of pearl medals and trophies carved from arapitia or albesia – the same wood that traditional canoes are carved from. The carvers and artists at the Island Craft workshop in Tutakimoa have nearly completed the order of 800 pearl shell medals and 43 engraved wooden […]

Cramming!

Zane Mataora and Bradley Heather have a busy few weeks coming up, with training for Vaka Eiva being squeezed in around a revision timetable. This year is their final year of exams at Tereora College as well as a big chance for them to do well in the sport they love. Mataora and Heather are […]

Big action guaranteed

Rivalry and competition heats up for 7th Vaka Eiva Big seas and big action are again expected in this year’s Vaka Eiva racing programme with 800 international and local paddlers to contest the various race divisions. The Aussies are back in force and the Kiws have brought their best while the Hawaiians and Tahitians are […]

Sokattak draw against Tupapa

In the main Lotto Premier Men’s soccer match played on Saturday at Victoria Park, Tupapa and Nikao Sokattak drew nil all. Sokattak got off to a good start dominating with ball possession and pounding at the Tupapa goal area but was unable to finish off their chances. Nikao’s tricky striker Teariki Mateariki caused a few […]

Tennis fundraiser a big hit

Saturday’s junior tennis fundraiser at the Nikao tennis courts was a great success thanks to the sunshine and support from the tennis community. The fundraiser tournament attracted around 20 eager tennis players and many more were attracted by the delicious food for sale. A team of 16 junior players will be heading to two tournaments […]

Volleyball boost

The development of volleyball in the Cook Islands has been given a major boost by sponsors who’ve come on board to help the sport purchase new equipment. Funds from volleyball’s major sponsor, BCI Bank, and from a group of enthusiastic volleyball lovers has enabled the association to purchase 30 international standard balls. When the volleyball […]

Fundraiser for tennis

Rain or shine, the Nikao tennis centre is the place to be today for great food and great tennis. Today is the junior tennis fundraiser in aid of the player’s tour to New Zealand next month, and you can register to play in the singles or doubles tournament. It’s sure to be heaps of fun […]

Young Guns chase Muri

This weekend’s Edgewater Saturday morning women’s cricket league sees another women’s double-header in the lead-up to the men’s matches in the afternoon. With all women’s teams proving so closely matched in ability and enthusiasm, the extended Edgewater Saturday morning league is proving a fantastic watch for all spectators. Muri, who have won two matches from […]

Takuvaine to challenge Avatiu

Avatiu and Takuvaine, who are competing in the Rarotonga soccer round cup, step up their preparations for the premier men’s match at the Avatiu field. Hosts Avatiu goes in as favourite, and playing on home turf will be an added bonus for them. Both teams fancy their chances of progressing with a win and have […]

Mangaians gather for golf

In preparation for the upcoming Mangaia Tri Series tournament in Auckland, Mangaians on Rarotonga will gather at the golf club in Nikao tonight for an Ambrose tournament. The Tri Series is a sports tournament contested by Mangaians based on Rarotonga, New Zealand and Australia. This year the tournament will be hosted by Auckland and this […]