Paddlers were keen to take to the water yesterday for the weekly 8km time trial race after bad weather cancelled last weeks event.

Sneaky creeping past the boiler saw all 35 boats start half way across the Avarua harbour, before safety boat Scooby Doo even got to the start line.

A pleasant addition to the pack were Tahitian paddlers Steven Hart and Tamatea Bourgerie who gave top local paddlers Reuben Dearlove and Tupuna Amo some healthy competition to gauge their performance.

After the mad dash from the start line, safety boat reports indicated the lead pack made it to the first turning buoy at Club Raro a little over 10 minutes, making for an impressive start to the race.

At 22 minutes into the race spectators got a glimpse of the race leaders making their way towards Avatiu Harbour for the second and final turn before finishing in the Avarua Harbour in front of Trader Jacks.

Reuben Dearlove crossed the finish line first in a time of 36:59, with Tahitis Steven Hart finishing a close second, half a minute behind.

Tupuna Amo wasnt too far behind ending his race in 38:02 minutes, ahead of Andre Tutaka-George and Tungane Manuel, who both paddled on surfskis.

Tamatea Bourgerie of Raiatea finished shortly after Manuel in a time of 38:49.

Taking the lead in the OC1 canoes was Conrad Hunter who finished in 39:23, with Johnny Raita chasing Hunters lead to finish half a minute behind.

Papa Jack and Roland Maru finished their race with a 3 second difference, just ahead of Marc Cowan.

Young guns Tamati Iro and John boy Taulu decided to team up for this race and paddled the two-man canoe, a tight finish 10 seconds ahead of Paul Pearson who cruised across the finish line in a time of 41:54. John Beasley crossed next in 42:24.

Lone ranger Kees van Wijk paddled through the Avarua passage uncontested to the finish line, and ended his race in a time of 43:11.

Marouna Mita finished next in 44:19 minutes, in what has been an impressive first season on the rudderless canoe for the youngster.

Rob Grant and Paulina Beddoes did the usual chasing of each other through the race course, with Grant crossing the finish in 44:32 minutes, 9 seconds ahead of Beddoes.

No doubt shell keep him in her sights during the next race.

Good to see Louis The Lips Enoka spending more time on the water, finishing his race in a time of 46:11 ahead of the ever smiling Annie debt collector Fisher, who ended her race in a time of 46:38.

Emilene Taulu crossed a minute later in a rudderless canoe.

Liz Tama, whose last few race performances have been mighty impressive, finished her race in a time of 48:05 minutes, before cracking her contagious laugh.

The ladies pack racing OC1s finished next, beginning with Kirsten Willis who finished in a time of 48:50.

Well suited pair Tai Cummings in vaka Pekere finished in a time of 50:25.

Tara Cummings ended her race 10 seconds later in a time of 50:35 minutes, 20 seconds ahead of Joyce Fortes.

Myland Lane finished in 51:10.

Johnny Sione Taulu showed no mercy towards Danielle Cochrane as they sprinted for the finish line.

Cochranes increased rate and mad dash to the finish was no match for Taulus cheeky grin and cool, long strokes to the finish.

Jane Pearson finished her race in 53:05 ahead of club mate Chrissy Thomas, who unfortunately encountered some circular difficulties with an unruly canoe at the start of her race.

Julie Wilson ended her OC1 race in a time of 55:00 minutes, a minute ahead of Aloma Moore who raced on a rudderless canoe. Vina Manuel also raced on a rudderless canoe finishing in a time of 1:01:31.

First timer to the Raro race series was Tuangauru Vavu Rima, a junior paddler from Aitutaki who finished her OC1 race in a time of 59:55 minutes.

Vavu is the only girl from Aitutaki vying for a spot on the Pacific Games squad to Noumea, in August and is being mentored by paddler Tina Mitchell, who has represented the Cooks in regional competitions on many occasions.

This Saturday Raro teams will be racing a V6 12km race, hosted by Ngakau Toa Vaka, followed by next Wednesdays V6 10km race.

Paddlers are reminded that the singles handicap race has been moved to Wednesday June 29, and you must have competed in at least 3 of the time trial singles races, in a single discipline (V1, OC1 or surfski) to qualify for the handicap race.

Overall results Reuben Dearlove (V1) 36:59:97, Steven Hart (V1) 37:35:29, Tupuna Amo (V1) 38:02:85, Andre Tutaka-George (SS) 38:14:57, Tungane Manuel (SS) 38:33:01, Tamatea Bourgerie (V1) 38:49:06, Conrad Hunter (OC1) 39:23:13, John Raita (OC1) 39:57:17, Papa Jack (OC1) 40:22:56, Roland Maru (OC1) 40:25:60, Marc Cowan (OC1) 41:02:95, Tamati Iro/John Taulu Jnr (OC2) 41:44:84, Paul Pearson (V1) 41:54:35, John Beasley (V1) 42:24:85, Kees Van Wijk (OC1) 43:11:06, Marouna Mita (V1) 44:19:79, Rob Grant (OC1) 44:32:07, Paulina Beddoes (OC1) 44:41:59, Louis Enoka (OC1) 46:11:63, Annie Fisher (OC1) 46:38:32, Emilene Taulu (V1) 47:38:85, Liz Tama (OC1) 48:05:25, Kirsten Willis (OC1) 48:50:15, Tai Cummings (OC1) 50:25:89, Tara Cummings (OC1) 50:35:56, Joyce Fortes (OC1) 50:53:06, Myland Lane (OC1) 51:10:45, John Taulu (OC1) 51:49:19, Dani Cochrane (OC1) 51:50:07, Jane Pearson (V1) 52:05:82, Chrissy Thomas (V1) 52:39:15, Julie Wilson (OC1) 55:00:56, Aloma Moore (V1) 55:59:56, Tuangaru Rima (OC1) 59:55:51, Vina Manuel (V1) 1:01:31:34.