Final day fun in the sun

Vaka Eiva paddlers were treated to a double traditional turou welcome lots of sunshine and loads of fun at Muri yesterday when they gathered for the final oe vaka action in the sprint events.

More than 500 paddlers gathered at the western end of Muri beach to be welcomed by a band of warriors from the Pacific Resort and Spa.

On the water two warriors wielding conch shells guided the procession through the shallows of the lagoon to the Captain Tamas Cruizes area.

Once there, prominent landowner Papa Tangaroa supported by young warrior Harry Goodwin conducted the final turou to the sprint base next to Sails Restaurant.

The experience was clearly a moving one for many paddlers who embraced each other as they made their way to their preferred spots along the beach before a full-on day of paddling and fun.

Stand up paddle boards were as prominent as canoes at Muri beach as paddlers tried their hands at the fast growing sport.

It was also included in the fun activities of the day conducted by Lui the lip Enoka.

There was also some serious paddling on the water in between fun activity sessions.

Like they had done all week the Crown Beach Kings and Belles dominated again in the sprints, winning the open men and womens 500m V6 sprints.

The Kings snuck ahead of Team Cook Islands in the 500m sprint finals by 4 seconds to win the race in 0:01:53 followed by the local men in 0:01:57.

The Belles easily won the womens 500m finals in 0:02:24 ahead of team Inano who finished in 0:02:31.

Stand out Kiwi crew Aotearoa Natives notched another win to their name taking out the masters mens 500m sprint in 2 minutes flat just seven seconds ahead of fellow Kiwis Mana Menz.

But seriously no one was taking anything on the day too intently with fun the ultimate goal of the day. And with two beach bars, groovy music and like minded people there was plenty of fun to be had by all and no doubt some will still be going this morning.

The full sprints results and more images of action from the day and over the Vaka Eiva week will be published in Mondays edition of Cook Islands News.