Raceday a boomer

Sunshine and blue skies were not missed at Muri beach on Saturday where 17 corporate oe vaka teams gathered for a day of family fun on and off the water.

With so many other big events at the weekend – Saturday’s oe vaka fundraiser was more intimate than previous V12 corporate races, but no less fun!

And after 13 races across the 250-metre sprint course, defending champions Koka Lagoon Cruises took out the title again this year.

The babes and buffed boys from Koka Cruises were not only the fastest on the water but the hottest looking on land, taking out the best oe vaka outfit prize for their bright pareu wrappings.

Koka beat HSBC Dirty Money, Island Craft Tangaroa, CITC Lickers and Fix Me Raro Cars in the finals of the day’s races.

CITC Lickers was one of five teams entered by CITC Group and race four on the day was an all out CITC affair – for just crews from the company’s various departments.

Lickers lined up alongside Bunnings, Best Foods 64oz, The Dragons and Da Popsicles and well, licked them all to take out their own company race.

In fact, the keen Lickers crew were the first team to register for the races on Saturday and won a prize for their eagerness too!

Cook Islands Canoeing Association president Fletcher Melvin picked team CI Audit Office Bling Counters for the president’s award as they had no registered or experienced paddlers in their team, but still paddled strongly in glittery top hats and fake moustaches.

The team also won the best name award.

The CINews Dribblers paddled strongly but put more effort into their camp set-up and for that won the ‘best tent’ prize while the mechanics from Fix Me Raro Cars won the best t-shirt prize for their innovative wrench and paddle design.

On the water team BCI Bank Pacific Attitude were a tough crew but they proved to be a force to reckon with on land and in particular in the tug-o-war or putoto taura challenge, where they showed raw power in disposing of their numerous challengers.

It was another enjoyable day for all paddlers and a succesful fundraiser for the Cook Islands Canoeing Association who will run another bigger and better corporate race later in the year where there will be guaranteed sun and blue skies to play under.

Finals results – Koka Lagoon Cruises 1.20.72, HSBC Dirty Money 1.21.09, Island Craft Tangaroa 1.22.12, CITC Lickers 1.22.59, Fix Me Raro Cars 1.22.94.