Pacific Paddler February 2013 - (Page 14)

Vaka Eiva “Party Rarotonga -don’t stop the parrrta- ayyy!!!” And party they did, in the 9th annual Vaka Eiva festival in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. With its own theme song heard pumping through the sound systems during the week, 2012 Vaka Eiva didn’t disappoint with the great atmosphere and camaraderie that the festival is known for. 670 paddlers across all divisions from NZ, Australia, Hawaii, Canada, Tahiti & Rarotonga enjoyed another week of paddling fun and the cultural and social events that go with it. Over 100 singles paddlers took to the ocean in the first day of racing under a scorching sun and relatively flat conditions with paddlers either opting for the rudderless or the OC1 divisions. Cook Islanders took out first placings in most of the rudderless divisions, demonstrating the suc- cess of the push on the local scene to encourage Photos by Harvie Allison rudderless paddling. The V6 iron races on Monday saw various divisions racing throughout the day, with the largest ever lineup in a Vaka Eiva of 28 canoes on the start line for the men's and women's V6 Avana iron race. For the first time, the men's and women's teams raced together, and an exciting battle between the top three women's crews saw local team Ngakau Toa Vaka home in 1.29.50 followed by Australia's BRD in 1.30.34 and Canadian ABC crew in 1.31.33. In the open men's race, Tahitian team Paea blitzed the course in 1.12.47 followed by Boiler Boys International in 1.15.47 and Ngakau Toa men in 1.17.07. In the popular mixed open 12km race, Patterson Lakes Australia took line honours in a good time of 55.10, with Nth Queensland taking out the masters mixed race in 1.00.32. The tireless volunteers and support crew ensured that things ran smoothly throughout the day which saw 96 teams across ten divisions racing. Junior paddlers from NZ, Sunshine Coast and Rarotonga enjoyed some rivalry on the water with races with the kids from Sunshine Coast dominat- Sunshine Coast Juniors, some of whom have been Oe Vaka races in Muri Lagoon in the 4k and 6k 6km which was taken out by NZ’s Bagtown Boys. in the open ocean U19 men's and women's 15km paddlers as young as 11 taking part in the Mapu ing the races, with the exception of the U16 boys coming to Vaka Eiva since 2007, also dominated races in choppy conditions, and the Aussie boys paddling as Team Viper had a good battle with CI/Tahitian U19 men in the 12km ocean race. Mid-week saw the premier races, the Round Raro women’s Pacific Paddle and the men’s Pacific Cup races. The women kicked off the day’s racing in the morning in tough sea conditions. An exciting battle around the island between the top three women's teams, Ngakau Toa Vaka, NZ’s Rerenga Kokiri, and Canada’s ABC crew, throughout the round island race prompted organiser Victoria Dearlove, who was catching the action from spectators boat, to thank the crews for providing such exciting race action. NZ’s Rerenga Kokiri won out in 3.27.23 followed two minutes later by the local crew who had been hoping to make it a first win ever for a local 14 Pacific Paddler - February 2013 http://info@artnelsonsailmaker.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler February 2013

Kanaka Ikaika's Waterman's Series
Maui Canoe and Kayak Club
Kauai Hoe Wa’a
Hawaii Island Paddle Sports
Vaka Eiva, Cook Islands
Santa Barbara - Return to the Pier
Unknown Factors
Hoena Wale No! Only Paddling! #1
Another Dam Race
Moloka’i World Championships
Keeping a Healthy Back
Law Enforcement Regatta
You can paddle, but can you swim?

Pacific Paddler February 2013