Pacific

Tennis fundraiser success

The recent junior tennis tournament was an outstanding success with $3500 raised from food sales, tournament fees and generous donations. The Saturday fundraiser saw keen tennis players take to the courts for fun and competitive tennis games followed up with scrumptious kai prepared by the tennis kids and their parents. The funds raised will be […]

20 new trees keep it green

Plant a tree and offset carbon emissions and help stabilise the coastline. This year, the National Environment Service, in conjunction with Vaka Eiva, will team up with the Muri Environment Care Group and the Muri community and landowners for the annual tree planting ceremony. To date, NES and Vaka Eiva paddlers have planted over 50 […]

Super Nu!

Long-time paddler and nu enthusiast Reuben Dearlove believes the true nutritional benefits of the widely considered super-food are only just starting to be confirmed by science – and more discoveries about the positive properties of young coconut are due. Many paddlers consume the liquid inside nu (young coconut) during the recovery phase of training. The […]

Food galore

A smorgasbord of food will be available to paddlers, organisers, supporters, and spectators during this year’s Vaka Eiva 2010 international paddling tournament. For the second consecutive year, night markets are being held at the Punanga Nui Market Place where a variety of traditional and modern fare can be sampled. Punanga Nui manager Elmah McBirney said […]

New trade day

The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is gearing up for its inaugural Trade Day Vaka Eiva 2010 market, to be held as part of the week-long international paddling tournament. From midday on Tuesday November 23, 14 authentic Cook Islands art and craft stalls will be established in the Vaka Village at Avarua’s wharf. Products for […]

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 […]

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 […]