Four local paddlers competing

Four paddlers from Rarotonga will paddle for various crews in the two-day Takapuna Beach Cup outrigger race this weekend (February 27-28).

Two race courses are on offer for paddlers including the 24km race and the longer 42km marathon which will take paddlers from Takapuna beach past Rangitoto Island, Motutapu Island and around Rakino Island back to Takapuna beach.

The Trader Jacks six-man vaka, normally suspended from the ceiling of the Avarua restaurant, was shipped over to Auckland last month for the race.

The vaka will be paddled by last year’s second place getters of the Vaka Eiva Festival round Rarotonga race – team Peniula Portage Crossing from New Zealand and local paddler Romani Katoa.

The vaka will also be used to promote the Vaka Eiva Festival in November.

Local paddlers Papa Jack, Mark Cowan and Kees van Wijk will also paddle in the race for various clubs.

New Zealand based paddler Allen Sullivan will paddle with his Team Phoenix crew.

Owner of the Trader Jack vaka Jack Cooper is also in New Zealand to cheer on Katoa and the crew paddling in the black Jack canoe.