Kiwi and Hawaiian juniors win 15km

Eight under 19 oe vaka crews took on the challenge of yesterday’s 15km open ocean race in hot and calm conditions with the Kiwi and Hawaiian crew proving to be the strongest on the day.

Under 19 men’s crew King Justice from Te Puu Ao Tuturu club in New Zealand cleaned up their division in a time of 1:12:58 followed two minutes later by the local Te Tupu O Te Manava crew.

The under 19 men’s Hawaiian Canoe Club crew finished third in a time of 1:17:54 while the mixed Cook Islands International crew flipped their vaka over the reef which ended their race.

In the under 19 women’s division, local favourites the Boiler Babes were unable to make it three in a row at this year’s Vaka Eiva Festival but were happy enough to take second place to the hot shot Hawaiian Canoe Club Crew who finished in 1:26:09.

The Boiler Babes crossed the line in 1:31:19.

The Aitutaki Oe Vaka Club were over the moon with their third place two minutes behind their Boiler Babe sisters.

A number of the under 19 paddlers will slot into open men and women’s crew today to tackle the round Raro relay race today.