Kia Orana and Welcome to Vaka Eiva 2013 – The Tenth Event!
22nd to 29th November 2013
From small beginnings in 2004 for the inaugural Vaka Eiva, this year will see the largest field of competitors with 1000+ paddlers from around the Pacific and further afield coming to help us celebrate our Tenth Anniversary!
It will be a huge week of paddling going back to the original race format of 2004 with the whole week building up to the main events on Friday for the Round Raro Relay Races. Our aim is for all previous title holders to come back to defend their title – The Defenders vs The Challengers!
Of course back in 2004 we had just the open division for men and women, but we now have juniors, mixed and for the first time officially this year – Golden Masters for the iron and sprints. Teams in the 12km Golden Masters Mens Race will be competing for the Anuenue Golden Masters Trophy– dedicated to Nappy Napoleon and his wonderful Anuenue team mates who have competed in every Vaka Eiva since 2004. An inspiration to us all!
The U14’s and U14’s will have their very own regatta within a regatta with Tuesday 26th November dedicated to our paddlers of the future. They will compete in V6 sprints and longer lagoon races as well as teams top singles paddlers competing in V1 sprints. The OC1 & V6 Avana Iron Challenge, the Sprints at stunning Muri Lagoon together with some fun & games & the world famous ‘pop the ama’ competition, the U19 Juniors will compete with the adults for iron and sprints & the Bob Worthington Memorial Trophy Mixed Round Raro will set the stage for the main events - the Women’s Round Raro ‘Pacific Paddle’ relay race & the Men’s Round Raro ‘Pacific Cup’ relay race on Friday 29th November 2013.
As usual there will plenty happening off the water with even more cultural activities and entertainment than ever: Art by the Lagoon (featuring the ever popular Paddle exhibition) Traditional canoe carving, Go Local Trade Day, Trips on the Marumaru Atua Sailing Vaka, Drumming and Dance Performances. We’re known for our competitive paddling at the highest level with more laid-back “fun in the sun” events served up with the inimitable Cook Islands hospitality - a paddling festival with something for everyone. Bring the family to enjoy the ride!
After a wonderful week in Rarotonga, you can head over to Aitutaki for the popular Motu to Motu race – this truly is Paddling in Paradise!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our major sponsors for their generous support and a huge Meitaki ma’ata in particular to those sponsors that were here for the first event and have been with us ever since: The Bond Store and Steinlager, Trader Jacks and Vaima Water. Along with the rest of our sponsors that have joined us along the way, most from 2005, it is with their help that this little island is able to host this huge event!
CICA would also like to extend our thanks to our Premier Business Partner Cook Islands Tourism Corporation for their on-going support of Vaka Eiva.
The paddling community as well as the wider Cook Island Community is looking forward to welcoming back old friends and meeting new ones for our Tenth Event!
Kia orana e kia manuia!
