Outrigger canoeing or Va'a is a fun and energizing sport and lifestyle! It fits perfectly into our island culture and offers an outdoor activity which develops strong bodies and minds. This is because it is a sport which is physically and mentally demanding. Outrigger canoeing requires a great deal of personal and team commitment and attracts people who possess these qualities coupled with a love for the ocean and its environment.

The sport offers an easy learning curve which allows people from all walks of life, gender and age, the opportunity to participate in a safe and exciting team oriented water sport. Solo outrigger canoeing further adds to the attraction by offering a means to compete and train on an individual basis without the restrictions of meeting fixed training times and days.

Races take the form of sprint and marathon disciplines. Sprint races for team canoes are held over distances of 500 meters to 2500 meters and are ideally staged in flat water, non tidal venues and close to shore for spectator appeal. These often incorporate turns around buoys with canoes racing in allocated lanes, up to eight at any one time. Solo canoe sprint races tend to be limited to 500 meter distances. V.6 marathon races vary in distance from 10 kilometers upwards to 30 kilometers. Distances greater than 30 kilometers may incorporate change over crews (9 men and 10 women). At this point, relief paddlers exchange those paddlers in the canoe who will then take a rest period of approximately 15-20 minutes.

Paddling becomes more of a lifestyle than a sport. The demands of training and obtaining a level of fitness necessary to compete require many hours on and off the water. Its opportunity to travel, meet and make a wide and varied number of friendships both within Fiji and around the Pacific, make this one of Fiji’s most attractive sports.