Earlybird here to do well

Anna Whitehead (pictured) cant think of a better place to be right now than on Rarotonga for the Vaka Eiva festival.

The Waka Waka crew member of the Waikato Dragon Boat open mixed team was one of the first paddlers on the island for the festival arriving a whole week beforehand for what she says is a holiday within a holiday.

Whitehead arrived early to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the island ahead of what she expects will be a full-on week of paddling and socialising.

It all sounds so awesome, says the first time Vaka Eiva paddler.

Six hundred paddlers paddling on the ocean it beats paddling down a freezing foggy river!

Whitehead says all she knows is that she just has to paddle hard during her teams races on the water next week.

Basically all you do is paddle your hardest in whatever conditions and wherever you are whatever the story is you just keeping paddling!

Whitehead couldnt wait to welcome the rest of her paddling crew as well as visit the teams adopted school Nikao Maori Primary School to deliver a laminating machine, stationery and other resources.

She is also keen to be part of any event in the Cook Islands to commemorate White Ribbon Day on November 25 the day to say that family violence is not okay.

On the top of Whiteheads list of things to do is to enjoy more local foods and get out on the water and paddle.