Local paddlers to the fore on first day

Unique Cook Islands carved pearl shell pendants and wooden trophies were presented to the top three paddlers in each race category on Saturday night.

After a big day of racing, paddlers gathered at the Avarua harbour for the official opening of the 2011 Vaka Eiva festival and to celebrate the success of paddlers through the individual iron medal and trophy presentation ceremony.

Medal presentation ceremonies programme will see all medals for races on Monday presented at the end of the day and likewise for junior paddlers on Tuesday.

Medals and trophies for round Raro races on Wednesday and Thursday will be presented at the closing ceremony of Vaka Eiva on Friday while medals and trophies for sprints that day will be held earlier on in the afternoon before the closing ceremony.