New fleet ready

While government decides what it will do with the 28 locally designed and built Tai-Mana outrigger canoes – they will still be used for the Vaka Eiva Festival starting on Friday November 20.

Cabinet was this week due to discuss the ownership of sports equipment purchased for the Pacific Mini Games including the new fleet of V6 and OC1 canoes.

While the decision of ownership of the canoes is still pending, Cook Islands Canoeing Association president Tina Newport says that the canoes have been made available for the Vaka Eiva Festival.

The large fleet of outrigger canoes on the island has meant that organisers of the annual festival have been be able to cater for the biggest ever number of crews in the six-year history of the paddling festival.

Organisers of the festival say they have more than enough canoes for the festival this year with around 31 V6 and 30 OC1 canoes available for the festival.

The pinnacle Vaka Eiva Pacific Cup and Pacific Paddle round Raro relay will see the biggest ever number of crews taking part with 26 men and 27 women’s crew registered. The prelude Avana Iron challenge is expected to have over 30 crews.

The Cook Islands Canoeing Association looks forward to a positive outcome from the Cabinet meeting yesterday to decide the fate of the Tai-Moana canoes.