What:             Women’s Open V6 “Pacific Paddle” Round Raro Relay
When:            6.30am Registration with 7.30am Race Start
Where:          Avarua Wharf

What:             Men’s Open V6 “Pacific Cup” Round Raro Relay
When:            11am Registration with 12.30pm Start
Where:          Avarua Wharf

The premier event sees teams battling each other around Rarotonga’s 36km exterior starting and finishing at Avarua township.  Again, paddlers can face all sorts of conditions on the day at various stages of the race.  This includes a headwind, open ocean swells, side chop and flat water. The varied conditions make this race unique and challenging and seemingly further than the 36km!! 

Due to huge conditions on the south side of the island, for the first time in 2007, paddlers weren’t able to paddle “Round Raro”.  Their 36km went around the western side of the island to the half way mark.  Livestrong Hawaii and Mooloolaba battled all the way, with Team Livestrong finally pulling away on the surf leg home. 2004 and 2005 winners the Boiler Boys won their own battle for 3rd place over Maupiti from Tahiti and 2006 winners Team Goodyear. 

RuaHine from Tahiti made it a double after their win in the V6 Avana Iron with a strong Team Xylo coming in ahead of past winners Waitakere. RuaHine (formerly known as Tahiti ROC and Waitakere (formerly known as Wahine Toa) have been busy swapping top places over the last three years and Team Xylo were a new addition to this ongoing battle!

And then….

What:             Vaka Eiva 2008 Official Closing Ceremony
Where:          Te Atakura Grounds         
When:            6pm

All paddlers and supporters will be hosted to a traditional “kaikai” prior to the official closing ceremony. The Pacific Cup and Pacific Paddle will be presented to the winners of the Round Raro Relay V6 as well as medals for the 2nd and 3rd place getters. The President’s Cup will be presented by new CICA president, Tina Newport.   

And finally…..

The Steinlager Paddle’s Up Official After Party hosted at Trader Jacks
After the Official Closing Ceremony, everyone will make the short walk back to Avarua Harbour to close off the week in true style at Trader Jacks – the centre of the paddling universe!!

You can expect to be treated to the big screen slide show of the amazing images that long time supporter,Harvie Allison and Diya Welland have captured throughout the week. We can all reflect on the what was and what should have been during Vaka Eiva 2008 as well as make plans for the next one!
 
This year will be the biggest Vaka Eiva in terms of numbers.  We hope it will also be the best Vaka Eiva with competitive ,fair paddling and fun had by all. Thanks for being a part of it and we look forward to welcoming you for Vaka Eiva 2008.

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Vaka Eiva 2008 - Premier Business Partner
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation