Sponsors help make it happen

With sponsors on board – the 2010 Vaka Eiva Festival is set to be another quality action packed event.

Around 800 paddlers, some returning and others coming for the first time, will flock to the island for the start of the seventh annual festival in four weeks time.

Event sponsors such as Steinlager and The Bond have been behind the event since its inception in 2004.

2010 Vaka Eiva gold sponsors are Trader Jacks and Cook Islands News while Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is the premier business partner.

Steinlager, the official Vaka Eiva beer, and The Bond are back on board to ensure paddlers are well hydrated with the official beer – especially at the annual Steinlager Muri Mingler party, after the sprints races in Muri.

There is a great in-store promotion at The Bond for all purchases made during Vaka Eiva and the winner receives a Super Steinie Pack.

And of course the Vaka Bar at Trader Jacks is party central during the races and where you will find the coldest Steinies on the rock.

The Vaka Bar is known as the centre of the paddling universe during Vaka Eiva where spectators can also see the start and finishes of all the ocean races.

Owner Jack Cooper is one of paddling’s best friends supporting local events and the annual Vaka Eiva festival for a number of years now.

Cook Islands Tourism understands the huge marketing potential of the Vaka Eiva festival and supports the event through marketing advice and assistance to spread the paddling message across the globe.

The Vaka Eiva Festival was also the inaugural winner of the Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards in 2009.

The national daily newspaper Cook Islands News is this year a gold sponsor and will bring to readers all the thrills and spills of Vaka Eiva.

Cook Islands News has been providing comprehensive paddling and Vaka Eiva coverage since 2005 which includes a bumper souvenir supplement before the races plus daily reports and photos during the week of paddling.

The team at Cook Islands News will once again be boosted by the return of professional water sports photographer Harvie Allison and wife Shanta.

A programme of events and CI News backpacks are also part of the newspaper’s sponsorship for the event.

Bronze sponsors of Vaka Eiva are Island Car and Bike Hire, Budget & Polynesian Bike Hire, Club Raro, Pacific Resort & Vaima Water who have been supporting paddling in the Cook Islands for a number of years now.

With event sponsors at the helm – the 2010 Vaka Eiva Festival canoe is ready to the island to paddling heaven.

The 2010 Vaka Eiva Festival will be held between November 19 and 26.