Thrills, Spills, Cook Islands Paddling

The Vaka Eiva is a week long paddling festival held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, each year in November. The week long event attracts many local and international paddlers. This year, teams from New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti and Australia competed with the Cook Islands for the 8 race events. This included the Masters Men and Women OC1, 12km, Open Men and Women OC1, 18km, Marsters Men and Woman V6,12km, Open Men and Women V6,18km, Masters and Open Mixed V6, 12km, Juniors V6,10km, Muri Beach 500m Sprints, and Men and Womens Open V6, Round Raro Relay.

This years festival has drawn a record field on some 530 paddlers and 61 teams. There were rough sea conditions with high swells that caused thrills and spills for several teams. A number of paddlers in both the open and master’s races capsized in the choppy conditions. One mishap halfway around the island occurred when an open men’s paddler went crashing over the reef in the surf and smashed his canoe in half.

Australia came in first place for the Masters Men and Women’s race, and New Zealand won the Open Womens race while Hawaii won the Open Mens race. During the round Raro race, teams were able to use the huge swells to their advantage and surf some of the way, before facing strong headwinds on the western side of the island. Team Hawaii came in 1st in the mens Round Raro relay and Tahiti came in 1st for the women’s race. Everyone enjoyed the race events and they also enjoyed the Cook Islands Culture, vibrant nightlife, restaurants, beautiful beaches and relaxing atmosphere.

For more information on paddling and the Cook Islands please view www.jetsave.co.ck/sports.htm