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Racing in Tahiti
Waitakere ROC open Women returned this week from 2 weeks of racing in Tahiti.
TAHITI HEIVA 2006
Waitakere ROC open Women returned this week from 2 weeks of racing in Tahiti. A fantastic experience for all of us and one we will not forget in a hurry. We took part in the Heiva Va'a races which are part of the Heiva Festival that takes place during the month of July every year. The event involves V1, V3, V6 and V16 races over 3.5kms and a marathon 21km (Iron) for women and 86km (Changes) for men.
During the first 2 days we placed 2nd in the V3, 3rd in the V6, 4TH in the V16 and Bernie Murch placed 5th in the V1. The weather was very hot, around 30 degrees... a slight change from the 3 degree temperatures we had been training in at home. The event took place in the port/harbour area where the conditions were extremely windy which made the V1 rudderless races extremely technical, even for the Tahitians.
The 2 day 3500m events were a colourful spectacle, with traditional Pareu mandatory for all competitors along with flower and leaf headdress. Definitely a unique occasion not replicated elsewhere in the world. The races were broadcast live on TV and live commentary on the radio. (Steve Harris, maybe a goal for you in this country)
The Marathon races followed 6 days later, giving us some time to rest and acclimatise as well as get out on the water. We did some paddling at Raipoia Brightwell's family house, which is a great spot right on the water. We also got to visit Moorea and see where Matahi Brightwell is building the Hawaiki Nui 2, which was an awesome experience for all of us to see him at work carving the hulls of what is going to be an epic waka.
Before the Marathon one of our paddlers had to return home but we were lucky to have Serena Hunter from Rarotonga jump in and join our crew to paddle the 21km marathon. Serena was an asset to our crew and fitted in very quickly with us. The day of the marathon was calm, flat and hot... very hot! Not a breath of wind... just our luck. However, we got a good start and were out in front with Venus Va'a heading out of the harbour. The heat was intense but we stayed with them for while before they pulled ahead of us, we kept them in our sights for the entire race, but were unable to catch them, we maintained our 2nd place for the race. It was a good race and a great experience for us with regard to racing in the heat and those conditions. We are certainly motivated and ready to train hard and do even better next year.
Venus Va'a proved to be the top women's crew this year during the Heiva. They won every race V3, V6, V16 and the Marathon, definitely the team to beat next time. We wish them all the best for their Molokai mission this year, a first time for most of them.
The men's Marathon was an 86km mammoth change over race from Tahiti around Moorea and back. A huge race with 43 teams taking part. We were very lucky to be given a support boat to follow the Shell Va'a team during the race. Shell Va'a are currently the top men's team in Tahiti and they led from the start to the finish, going from strength to strength for the entire race winning by over 12 minutes... They certainly are a well Oiled machine! Shell Va'a is also intending on competing in the Molokai this year, I am sure they will be among top contenders for 1st place. Bonne Chance!.
TE AITO
The following week our friend Charley Maitere was organising the 19th Te Aito race, and Bernie stayed on to compete and of course we stayed too as number 1 supporters! The Te Aito race is the biggest V1 race in the world...and this year because of the massive number of entries they had to split the women and junior men onto a different day from the open men.
The women's race took place during the week, which made it difficult for some to take time off work, never the less there were 46 women entries for the 14km race. Canoes started on the beach at Point Venus and paddlers must run with their canoe into the water and start paddling. It is a rudderless race and this particular day the wind was pretty strong and it was very rainy. The seas were high and it was a challenging course for all. Bernie got off to a great start and was in the lead group for the entire race, she passed Evangélique Tehiva the World V1 Champion early on in the race and was never far off the pace.
Rounding the reef is the trickiest part of this race. There is the potential for canoes to end up on the reef and get smashed, but Bernie navigated her canoe safely round. Evangelique however ended up cutting it a little too close and a wave washed her canoe end over end onto the reef. She had to run along the coral to retrieve her canoe and rejoin the race. Bernie finished the race in a very credible 4th place only 30 seconds separated 2-4th places with Evangelique finishing 5th.
The race was won by Hinatea Bernadino the 18 year old Junior world champion. First prize was $1,000 US dollars. The top 20 place getters now qualify for the Super Aito which will be held in August. This race will consist of a 6km time trial followed by a 24km race from Moorea to Tahiti (Rudderless).
Unfortunately, we could not stay in Tahiti for the Men's Aito, but we did hear that there were 628 men that started the race all lined up along the beach and ran their canoes into the water, The men's course is twice that of the womens and all 628 paddlers must turn around the same reef and buoy, a sight that must have been absolutely spectacular. The race was won by Bruno Tauhiro of Shell Va'a. Bruno earlier in the week loaned Bernie his canoe for the women's race and then used it to win the men's Te Aito and a first place prize of $6,000 US dollars.
Charley Maitere and his team organise a very professional event and for anyone keen on challenging themselves in a rudderless canoe race, Te Aito is the ultimate challenge.
The Shell Va'a Waitakere ROC Heiva team was Bernie Murch, Sanije Rudolph, Stacey Davis, Jamie-Lee (Flea) Rahiri, Lara Collins, Raipoia Brightwell and Serena Hunter, but our trip would not have been possible without the help of the following people:-
* We would like to thank Shell Va'a for sponsoring our team whilst in Tahiti, Shell Va'a and Tere Tafai helped us out a great deal and we are all very grateful.
* Rarotonga Outrigger Canoes, Mena and Paiao for your continued support. Meitaki Maata!
* Special thanks to Matahi Brightwell for taking up the role of coach/manager/photographer/food and water supplier during all the races, Matahi was a great source of knowledge to have around us.
* Kinu Lucas. Thank you so much for everything. Our trip would not have been possible with out you and all your organizing. Thanks Brad!
* Moeata Galenon, our island paradise home. A very special place for all of us, thanks for your wonderful hospitality.
And all our Tahitian friends and Ohana, too many to mention but all very special! MAURURU, See you next year!
Lara
Waitakere ROC open Women returned this week from 2 weeks of racing in Tahiti. A fantastic experience for all of us and one we will not forget in a hurry. We took part in the Heiva Va'a races which are part of the Heiva Festival that takes place during the month of July every year. The event involves V1, V3, V6 and V16 races over 3.5kms and a marathon 21km (Iron) for women and 86km (Changes) for men.
During the first 2 days we placed 2nd in the V3, 3rd in the V6, 4TH in the V16 and Bernie Murch placed 5th in the V1. The weather was very hot, around 30 degrees... a slight change from the 3 degree temperatures we had been training in at home. The event took place in the port/harbour area where the conditions were extremely windy which made the V1 rudderless races extremely technical, even for the Tahitians.
The 2 day 3500m events were a colourful spectacle, with traditional Pareu mandatory for all competitors along with flower and leaf headdress. Definitely a unique occasion not replicated elsewhere in the world. The races were broadcast live on TV and live commentary on the radio. (Steve Harris, maybe a goal for you in this country)
The Marathon races followed 6 days later, giving us some time to rest and acclimatise as well as get out on the water. We did some paddling at Raipoia Brightwell's family house, which is a great spot right on the water. We also got to visit Moorea and see where Matahi Brightwell is building the Hawaiki Nui 2, which was an awesome experience for all of us to see him at work carving the hulls of what is going to be an epic waka.
Before the Marathon one of our paddlers had to return home but we were lucky to have Serena Hunter from Rarotonga jump in and join our crew to paddle the 21km marathon. Serena was an asset to our crew and fitted in very quickly with us. The day of the marathon was calm, flat and hot... very hot! Not a breath of wind... just our luck. However, we got a good start and were out in front with Venus Va'a heading out of the harbour. The heat was intense but we stayed with them for while before they pulled ahead of us, we kept them in our sights for the entire race, but were unable to catch them, we maintained our 2nd place for the race. It was a good race and a great experience for us with regard to racing in the heat and those conditions. We are certainly motivated and ready to train hard and do even better next year.
Venus Va'a proved to be the top women's crew this year during the Heiva. They won every race V3, V6, V16 and the Marathon, definitely the team to beat next time. We wish them all the best for their Molokai mission this year, a first time for most of them.
The men's Marathon was an 86km mammoth change over race from Tahiti around Moorea and back. A huge race with 43 teams taking part. We were very lucky to be given a support boat to follow the Shell Va'a team during the race. Shell Va'a are currently the top men's team in Tahiti and they led from the start to the finish, going from strength to strength for the entire race winning by over 12 minutes... They certainly are a well Oiled machine! Shell Va'a is also intending on competing in the Molokai this year, I am sure they will be among top contenders for 1st place. Bonne Chance!.
TE AITO
The following week our friend Charley Maitere was organising the 19th Te Aito race, and Bernie stayed on to compete and of course we stayed too as number 1 supporters! The Te Aito race is the biggest V1 race in the world...and this year because of the massive number of entries they had to split the women and junior men onto a different day from the open men.
The women's race took place during the week, which made it difficult for some to take time off work, never the less there were 46 women entries for the 14km race. Canoes started on the beach at Point Venus and paddlers must run with their canoe into the water and start paddling. It is a rudderless race and this particular day the wind was pretty strong and it was very rainy. The seas were high and it was a challenging course for all. Bernie got off to a great start and was in the lead group for the entire race, she passed Evangélique Tehiva the World V1 Champion early on in the race and was never far off the pace.
Rounding the reef is the trickiest part of this race. There is the potential for canoes to end up on the reef and get smashed, but Bernie navigated her canoe safely round. Evangelique however ended up cutting it a little too close and a wave washed her canoe end over end onto the reef. She had to run along the coral to retrieve her canoe and rejoin the race. Bernie finished the race in a very credible 4th place only 30 seconds separated 2-4th places with Evangelique finishing 5th.
The race was won by Hinatea Bernadino the 18 year old Junior world champion. First prize was $1,000 US dollars. The top 20 place getters now qualify for the Super Aito which will be held in August. This race will consist of a 6km time trial followed by a 24km race from Moorea to Tahiti (Rudderless).
Unfortunately, we could not stay in Tahiti for the Men's Aito, but we did hear that there were 628 men that started the race all lined up along the beach and ran their canoes into the water, The men's course is twice that of the womens and all 628 paddlers must turn around the same reef and buoy, a sight that must have been absolutely spectacular. The race was won by Bruno Tauhiro of Shell Va'a. Bruno earlier in the week loaned Bernie his canoe for the women's race and then used it to win the men's Te Aito and a first place prize of $6,000 US dollars.
Charley Maitere and his team organise a very professional event and for anyone keen on challenging themselves in a rudderless canoe race, Te Aito is the ultimate challenge.
The Shell Va'a Waitakere ROC Heiva team was Bernie Murch, Sanije Rudolph, Stacey Davis, Jamie-Lee (Flea) Rahiri, Lara Collins, Raipoia Brightwell and Serena Hunter, but our trip would not have been possible without the help of the following people:-
* We would like to thank Shell Va'a for sponsoring our team whilst in Tahiti, Shell Va'a and Tere Tafai helped us out a great deal and we are all very grateful.
* Rarotonga Outrigger Canoes, Mena and Paiao for your continued support. Meitaki Maata!
* Special thanks to Matahi Brightwell for taking up the role of coach/manager/photographer/food and water supplier during all the races, Matahi was a great source of knowledge to have around us.
* Kinu Lucas. Thank you so much for everything. Our trip would not have been possible with out you and all your organizing. Thanks Brad!
* Moeata Galenon, our island paradise home. A very special place for all of us, thanks for your wonderful hospitality.
And all our Tahitian friends and Ohana, too many to mention but all very special! MAURURU, See you next year!
Lara
