Paddler dies during race

An Aitutaki paddler died yesterday afternoon while competing in the Vaka Eiva Round Rarotonga Relay.

Alan Maki, a starting-six member of the Te Tupu O Te Manava masters crew, was brought ashore at Avana during the race and could not be resuscitated. He was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Maki, 49, was reported to have complained of experiencing a tightness of the chest at the time, but thought it may have been a symptom of the flu.

Red Cross staff aboard a Vaka Eiva safety boat were radioed to the Te Tupu masters support boat when it was apparent Maki was in trouble. They administered first aid to Maki as he was brought ashore, but he was reported to have died before he was taken by ambulance.

The Te Tupu masters crew continued with the race after Maki was taken aboard the boats support vessel.

Maki was a family man and long time resident of Aitutaki.

He has been described as a stalwart of the Aitutaki community and a man who will be badly and sadly missed.

Maki represented the Cook Islands in the oe vaka competition at the 2011 Pacific Games, held in Noumea just three months ago. He was an active member of the Aitutaki paddling fraternity and a member of the Toa Moana paddling club.

Maki also spent time on the board of directors of the Aitutaki Airport Authority.

Makis family were notified of his death and they arranged for his body to be returned to Aitutaki last night.