Fiji International 17th - 19th April 2008
Colin Philp
President
Fiji Outrigger
Ph: +679 3363 040
Fax: +679 3363043
Text Steve West Photos Steve and Mandy West
The Wai Tui Fiji Outrigger International is an annual Easter event founded five years ago by Colin Philp, the regions leading light in the development of outrigger canoeing. The event is in every sense a Grass Roots affaire, which showcases the cultural resonance of the sport via ceremony, music and dance, wrapped up in the warm embrace of good-natured competition in a tropical environment.
The opening and closing ceremonies were a riot of dance, song and colour.
For the first time Fiji outrigger canoeing and the event has found the support of a major sponsor in the form of Aquifer suppliers of premium Fijian natural artesian water, which will prove to be a very significant boast to the sports development.
Staged last year in Nadi, the event was relocated to Suva on account of logistical issues and the securing of an ideal venue at the University of the South Pacific, which boasts a protected artificial harbour area, suited to the permanent establishment of a world class sprint course. Outside the harbour, nearby islands Nukulau and Makaluva provide idyllic reference points for the longer marathon events, with easy access through a reef pass to open water.
Significantly, junior age participation is on the rise in Fiji and it seems that what they want is as much racing as they can be provided, so when crews from New Zealand and newcomers Papua New Guinea arrived, it served to bolster competition. An open womens crew from Sydney club, Port Stephens, racing under the ominous name of The Flipside made the journey from Australia, which provided local crews with an international race.
The events included were extensive; V1 500m and V6 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m sprints. V1 3km, 6km, 10km and 15km races. V6 3km, 6km, 15km, 20km and 25km marathons across varying age groups. In addition for the first time, an OC1 10km and 15km event, racing newly imported canoes from Hyper.
The welcoming evening began with the sunset arrival of a traditional Fijian sailing Takia bringing to shore international competition representatives from Australia, Samoa, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. A conch shell sounded out the arrival of the guests, escorted to shore and a traditional Fijian kava ceremony, welcoming speeches and an impressive display of dance and some legendary Fijian choral singing.
First light the following morning presented cool and showery weather, which was to worsen over the coming days. Thankfully, winds remained light for the mornings V1 500m heats and finals, followed in the afternoon by V6 junior and V1 senior marathons. Highlighting the day was the performance of the U19 Papua New Guinea newcomers in the V6 15km marathon. Coach Jonathan Kassman, anxious to see how his boys would perform, was thrilled at their second place finish behind an experienced New Zealand crew, Portage Crossing. Watching the boys, it was clear they have an abundance of natural ability, which will provide the perfect platform on which to build upon.
Later in the day, there was some drama for a time when a novice paddler went missing in the V1 marathon, due in part to equipment failure, but managing to find his way home in the dark, much to the relief of the race organisers and rescue craft.
The following day the V6 sprints got underway in the morning leading into the OC1 15km marathon and the V1 10km race. The heavens opened for much of the morning but under near windless conditions, the races went ahead without incident with some fiercely fought racing between local teams and a solid performance from the Australian girls. The quality of the race course was evident in the near perfect conditions and doubtless this venue will be a great asset for Fijian outrigger canoe racing.
Under 16 Suva crew taking on the marathon event.
The afternoons inaugural mens OC1 marathon race was comfortably won by Colin Philp who opened up a comfortable lead on the downwind leg along the backside of the reef. The women’s inaugural 10km OC1 race was won by Lorraine Patterson on day one. At days end a medal presentation and cultural performance brought all paddlers and organisers together in a wonderful display of common purpose, with junior and senior teams from varying clubs and countries performing their tribute dance routines. For the organisers, it was a definite highlight and a rewarding experience to see competitors enjoying the culmination of their efforts in bringing competitors together.
Open womens Lami based Kai Wai on the way to winning the marathon ahead of an Australian crew.
By first light, the easing rain had turned to strong winds and the open women experienced rough water with some heavy swells imploding on the reef throughout the length of the race course. Home team, Lami based Kai Wai, led throughout with a spirited performance in the testing conditions, the Sydney ladies pushing hard to stay in touch. In the end it was a deserved victory to Kai Wai, the Sydney crew happy with their second placing and the thrill of the ride.
The V1 U14, U16 (3km) and U19 (6kM) boys and girls marathons were staged next. The wind had dropped but the rain was back. The final major event of the competition, the open men’s 25km race, was held in driving rain, the worst I have seen in all my years of race coverage. The race was shortened to 20km.Without the use of GPS and preparedness finding the way out through the reef pass would have been a minor miracle.
Race favourites the Kai Wai masters crew struggled early when their younger counter parts, a young up and coming Kai Wai crew took an early lead and held off several challenges from the experienced crew, who despite making a valiant come back along the back of the reef taking advantage of the fast moving water, could not make enough ground before paddling through the reef pass into calmer water, where the younger crew pulled away to an upset victory, but one which has no doubt provided them with a great deal of confidence.
In the driving tropical rain, Kai Wai open men paddle their way to victory over their masters crew.
With the major races over a novelty 250m V6 dash for cash race across the division made for a fitting and exciting finish to the event, with only the final presentations and evenings celebrations to wrap things up. Despite the rain, paddlers proved their ability to deal with the elements and push on regardless in the pursuit of a good time. Traditional dancing was again on the evening agenda together with a few ales, naturally.
No effort was spared to ensure the success of the event, which delivered great racing and a truly rich cultural experience. On many levels, though only a small event by international standards, it was unquestionably professionally run and delivered more than many bigger events. In summary, with the quality of paddling now improving greatly and numbers on the increase in major regional areas of Suva and Nadi, rivalry and passion will no doubt soon serve as a catalyst for further growth Fiji paddling.
My gratitude to Colin Philp, Fiji Visitors Bureau, Air Pacific and Holiday Inn Suva.