The regatta was earlier postponed due to bad weather.

Students from Tereora, Nukutere, Titikaveka, Te Uki Ou and Imanuela Akatemia are set to participate in this year’s event.

Cook Islands Canoeing Association events coordinator Eva Allsworth said sponsor Bank of South Pacific (BSP) had committed to sponsoring the event for the third year.

She said the bank was a supportive sponsor for their Vaka Iti junior development programme.

“They sponsor the race shirts and caps as well as prizes, and BSP staff as race day volunteers. BSP won the Community Services Award at the recent Tourism Awards due to them sponsoring events such as our Vaka Iti Junior development programme,” Allsworth said.

In the lead-up to the event, in February the organisers began running theoretical and practical vaka lessons which were attended by more than 300 students.

The students were taught skills such as leadership, water safety awareness, swimming, survival skills, paddling and canoe care techniques, teamwork, and knowledge of the local waters, including how to read currents and tides.

The programme also promotes the importance of appreciating, respecting and caring for the natural environment.

Last year’s overall winners were Nukutere College, who hope to reclaim the title this year.

This will be no easy feat however, with schools such as Tereora College chasing hot on their heels.

Monday’s races are expected to begin at 8.30am, with the prizegiving to be held at 2pm.