Welcome!

Kia orana and welcome to all the paddlers and supporters who have arrived on Rarotonga.

The Vaka Eiva festival is now into its 8th year and we have seen it evolve from its ambitious beginnings in 2004 with 200 paddlers to over 800 last year.

One thing that hasnt changed has been the high level of competition interspersed with heaps of fun during the week-long event.

Again our ocean and lagoon will feature as the two arenas of battle between individuals and paddling crews.

What better way to showcase our country than through our biggest annual sporting event that links our largest natural asset with one of our own traditional modes of transportation that has now evolved into a modern sport.

This year we will have teams ranging from our closest rivals across the Pacific in Australia and New Zealand and all the way from the frozen winter of Canada.

Congratulations to the organisers of the event and supporting sponsors for again being part of this successful event.

We wish you all a fantastic week.

Enjoy the Vaka Eiva festival and enjoy the hospitality of the Cook Islands.