Pacific Paddler February 2014 - (Page 22)

Vaka Eiva 2013:10th Anniversary The biggest ever Vaka Eiva certainly didn't disappoint. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Cook Islands premier pad- dling festival welcomed paddlers far & wide for a special week of paddling, culture, festivities, friendship and fun. Over 1,200 paddlers from New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii, United States, and the Cook Islands participated in the event; record numbers for what is by far the biggest sporting event in the Cook Islands, and a huge leap from 225 paddlers at the inaugural event in 2004. "There is nothing like Vaka Eiva," said NZ paddler Lara Collins who has been to every Vaka Eiva since its inception in 2004, and has participated in paddling events worldwide. "It has everything, that's why we keep coming back." Not only in numbers, this year's festival also saw the highest calibre of paddling crews attend, vying for top hon- ours, with all previous winning women's crews, and the best representation yet from Tahiti. Exciting racing over the week culminated with the much anticipated around Rarotonga changes race, a nail-biting bat- tle between Tahiti Nui comprising four Shell paddlers including Kevin Ceran-Jersalemy who won the men's V1 18km race earlier in the week, and Te Tupu o Te Manava International comprised of paddlers from the Cook Islands, NZ and Australia who had won the Avana 18k iron race earlier in the week led by local champ Reuben Dearlove who placed 2nd behind Kevin in the singles race. A slick change out of paddlers only 5km from the finish saw Tahiti surge ahead to take out the coveted Pacific Cup in a time of 2.44.40, only 21 seconds ahead of the boys in red. 2011 winners Crown Beach Kings, which included Olympics K4 gold medallist Tate Smith, placed third in a time of 2.49.58. Previous winners NZ's Hokianga Natives took out the masters men's race in a good time of 3.01.44, ahead of many of the open men's crews, with Horouta Waka Hoe only a minute behind in 3.02.51 and last year's winners Mana Menz rounding off the top 3 in 3.10.16. The women's around Rarotonga Pacific Paddle race in extremely rough conditions saw a clear win by the Crown Beach Belles, a high calibre crew of top athletes from Australia, including two time Australian Ironwoman cham- pion Kirsty Holmes, and captained by top paddler Jasmine Kelly, who held an easy lead throughout finishing in a time of 3.23.53, two minutes ahead of Tahiti's Hine Vaa in 3.27.54, 22 Pacific Paddler February 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler February 2014

Braddah Mel's & Stand-Up Surfing Championship
Kanaka Ikaika, Season opener
Southern California update
1st Annual Movember Wet Dashe
Waterman's Academy
Thoracic mobility for paddlers
Vaka Eiva – 10th Anniversary

Pacific Paddler February 2014