Friday 2nd of April saw 150 paddlers descend on Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi Bay to oversee the launch of the Wai Tui Fiji International 2010. The tournament start was marked by the blessing of the canoes performed by Father Claude of the Anglican Church. The Anglican church in Fiji oversee the maritime waters and this was fitting for the occasion at Wailoaloa Beach. Day 1 events kicked off with V1 Sprint races and while weather conditions were less than ideal it made for some good racing. In the Semi-Finals of the U19 Boys grade notable finishers were Nadi Bay’s Matia Taito and Takia’s Joshua Autar. In the Semi-Finals for U19 Girls notable finishers were Courtney Pene and Lucy Joyce both a Nadi Bay. In the Open Women Semi-Finals showing no signs of fatigue Courtney Pene doubledup to win Semi-Final 1 while Natalia Evans of Kawai took out Semi-Final 2. In the Open Men’s grade Stan Ooms of Nadi Bay took out Semi 1 and Johnny Chung of Takia took out Semi 2 setting the stage for an interesting final on Day 2. The afternoon of Day 1 commenced with the V6 Sprint heats in both the 500m and 1500m.

The Hong Kong Outrigger Canoe Club took out top honours in the blue-ribbon sprint event — V6 500m sprint on Day 2 of the Wai Tui International. The team who only arrived in the country Friday morning at 9am quickly got over their jet lag from the 9-hour direct flight from Hong Kong to Nadi . Air Pacific’s in-flight service may have set the stage for the team as they settled in well on Day 1 to
qualify for the sprint final. Come Day 2 the team was showing no signs of fatigue a testament to their preparation for this event. The team beat favourites Kawai to by just under 2 seconds to claim the first V6 gold of the tournament. In the 20km marathon the team beat Kawai by over 6 minutes on a flat Nadi Bay. Team Captain Mei Tuicolo was ecstatic with their wins “For the team the off-season has just begun so to win this sprint is a bonus for us. In addition we are made up of two clubs out of Hong Kong and to gel this well in both a sprint final and the marathon is a bonus for us.” The team will seriously consider returning next year. They have also invited Fiji teams to a “Round Hong Kong Island” Race a 42km changeover marathon in November this year. The team spent the remainder of their week in Fiji on Malolo Lai Lai for some well deserved R&R.

Nadi Bay Men’s team dominated the meet with wins in the 500m, 1500m and the 25km marathon. Local knowledge may have been the telling point in their defeats of Suva Clubs Takia and Tafaga. “Our club had recruited some good paddlers in the last 12 months and the new guys have really pushed the old guys for seats in our No.1 canoe. This helped in our preparation” said Ooms. The Nadi Bay team included 2 U19 boys Matia Taito and Serge Abel. Matia Taito will be attending the World Sprints in New Caledonia in May 2010.

Without the help of sponsors the Wai Tui Fiji International would be just an idea on paper. Fiji Outrigger President David Eyre states “Fiji Outrigger is grateful to all its sponsors. We would like to thank our major sponsors Wai Tui, Fiji Me, Williams & Goslings and Total. At the same time the success of the event also was defined by all our smaller sponsors whose contribution in there small way ensured that our participants were rewarded for their efforts on the water. This sort of support allows Outrigger Canoeing to thrive as a minority sport.” The event’s major sponsors were:

• Wai Tui
• Williams & Goslings
• Total
• Travelers Beach Resort
• Fiji Me

Other sponsors included Vonu Beer, APM, Pasifika Communications, Sofitel Resort & Spa, Vodafone Fiji, Fiji Water, Victoria Wines, McDonalds, Crest, Red Bull and Oceanic.

In addition there were individuals who provide support by way of boats and manpower in setting up for the tournament.

  STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2011 FIJI OUTRIGGER INTERNATIONAL.