Futures bright for junior paddlers

The future of oe vaka in the Cook Islands looks bright with fantastic paddling skills put on display by under 16 paddlers at Mondays Tama Aito the junior event of the premier singles race Te Aito Cook Islands.

Daniel Teheipuarii of the Ngakau Toa Vaka club was the outright winner of the under 16 boys 4km race across Muri lagoon in a time of 28.05.

However Aitutaki paddler Dillon Schofield was never far behind and even after capsizing after the first circuit of the race and dropping back in the pack he worked his way back to the lead to come in at 28.59.

In the girls division Aitutaki paddleer Grace Stuski kept a good pace to take out the race in 31.28 just over a minute ahead of fellow Aitutaki paddler Moana Maoate who finished second in the girls race with a time of 32.01.

Congratulations to all the junior paddlers.

Full Tama Aito results (under 16 boys) 1st Daniel Teheipuarii 28.05.04, 2nd Dillon Schofield 28.59.02, 3rd Elvin Wacther 29.16.05, 4th Nooroa Maoate 29.28.04, 5th Luke Tukaroa 30.23.00, 6th Eddie Arkle 31.27.04, (under 16 girls) 1st Grace Stuski 31.28.04, 2nd Moana Maoate 32.01.00, 3rd Tearoa Ngamata 35.25.05, 4th Ashley Chaloner 35.36.08.