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Next generation of paddlers impress at Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints competition

Wednesday 27 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports

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Next generation of paddlers impress at Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints competition
These junior girls from Aotearoa New Zealand won their race in the Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints held at Muri beach. MELINA ETCHES/24112610

The Cook Islands Canoeing Association (CICA) Vaka Eiva Junior Sprint Races, set against the stunning backdrop of Muri beach lagoon, showcased an exciting talent of sportsmanship.

Over 100 young paddlers from Aitutaki, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Rarotonga hit the cool water with their paddles and determination to perform their best in the biggest oe vaka (canoeing) event in the nation.

Families and friends gathered to cheer on their young ones in the thrilling races.

CICA organising executive Teina Taulu said the youngsters did exceptionally well.

“We have a lot of new juniors this year and this is their first time competing with international paddlers.”

Taulu said it was awesome to see more junior teams from Aotearoa New Zealand join the event, alongside the young paddlers from Aitutaki.

Moana Ysabelle Gempton, who joined the Vaka Eiva junior sprints for the first time, won two medals – third overall in the U14 Mix 250m, and second overall in the U14 Mix 500m for Ngakau Toa Vaka.

The sprints races also gave an opportunity for local paddlers to compete against junior athletes from overseas.

Results

The Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints results are as follows.             

Junior 14 Boys 250m Club final: 1 Ngakau Toa Vaka Rarotonga 1.12; 2 Kore Taringa Nga Hoe Horo Kaitaia Aotearoa 1.18; 3 Te Wharekura O Mauao (2) Hoe Aroha O Mauao Tauranga Aotearoa 1.22, 4 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 1.31.

Junior 14 Girls 250m Club final: 1 Te Tupu (Mere) O Te Manava Rarotonga 1.19; 2 Te Tupu (Hina) O Te Manava Rarotonga 1.20; 3 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 1.20.85; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.21; 5 Mana College Porirua Aotearoa 1.22.

Junior 16 Girls 250m Club final: 1 Te Tupu (Mere) O Te Manava 1.15; 2 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.16; 3 Mana College Porirua  Aotearoa 1.18; 4 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 1.24; 5 Ngakau Toa Vaka II 1.26.

Junior 19 Girls 250m Club final: 1 Te Tupu O Te Manava 1.14.46; 2 Kotuku Aratika Water Sports Auckland Aotearoa 1.15.86; 3 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.17.18; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka II 1.17.86.

Junior 19 Mix 250m Club final: 1 Kotuku/IROAM Aratika Water Sports/Nga Hoe Horo Auckland/Kaitaia Aotearoa 1.10.41; 2 Kotuku/Kawau Aratika Water Sports 1.11.16; 3 Ngakau Toa Vaka/Aitutaki Oe Vaka Rarotonga/Aitutaki 1.12.30; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.18.19; 5 IROAM Mix-ups International 1.25.94.

Junior 16 Boys 250m Club final: 1 Aitutaki Oe Vaka Aitutaki 1.04.12; 2 IROAM Nga Hoe Horo Kaitaia, Aotearoa 1.10.97; 3 Kawau Aratika Water Sports Auckland 1.11.90; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.17.47; 5 Kore Taringa Nga Hoe Horo Kaitaia, Aotearoa 1.33.19.

Junior 14 Mix 250m Club final: 1 Te Tupu (Mere) O Te Manava 1.15.08; 2 Te Tupu (Hina) O Te Manava 1.19.00; 3 Ngakau Toa Vaka II Rarotonga 1.19.58; 4 Kore Taringa/Mana College R8 Aotearoa Kaitaia/Porirua 1.30.22.

Junior 16 Mix 250m Club final: 1 Te Tupu II (Lorelli) O Te Manava 1.09.45; 2 Mana/IROAM Mana College/Nga Hoe Horo Porirua/Kaitaia, 1.13.45; 3 Kotuku/Kawau Aratika Water Sports Auckland 1.13.88; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka 1.18.91; 5 Mana/IROAM Mana College/Nga Hoe 1.21.28.

Junior 14 Boys 500m  Club final: 1 Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.11.75; 2 Kore Taringa Nga Hoe Horo Kaitaia 3.29.97; 3 Te Wharekura O Mauao (2) Hoe Aroha O Mauao 3.44.83; 4 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 3.46.75.          

Junior 14 Girls 500m Club final: 1 Mana College Porirua 3.17.09; 2 Te Tupu (Hina) O Te Manava 3.27.09; 3 Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.33.66; 4 Te Tupu (Mere) O Te Manava 3.36.48; 5 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 3.56.98.

Junior 16 Girls 500m Club final: 1 Mana College Porirua, Aotearoa 3.09.17; 2 Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.10.34; 3 Te Tupu (Loreli) O Te Manava 3.13.74; 4 Ngakau Toa Vaka II 3.15.28; 5 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 3.37.49.

Junior 19 Girls 500m Club final: 1 Kotuku Aratika Water Sports Auckland 3.08.91; 2 Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.11.48; 3 Te Tupu O Te Manava 3.13.91.

Junior 14 Mix 500m Club final: 1 Te Tupu O Te Manava 3.05.66; Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.08.42; 3 Kore Taringa/Mana College Aotearoa 3.13.21; 4 Kore Taringa/Mana College      Aotearoa 3.24.15; 5 Te Wharekura O Mauao Tauranga 3.49.10.

Junior 16 Mix 500m Club final: 1 Mana/IROAM Mana College/Nga Hoe Horo 2.57.84; 2 Ngakau Toa Vaka 2.59.64; 3 Mana/Kawau Mana College/Aratika Water Sports 3.02.49; 4 Te Tupu O Te Manava 3.05.67; 5 Te Wharekura O Mauao Hoe Aroha O Mauao 3.53.92.

Junior 19 Mix 500m Club final: 1 Kotuku/IROAM Aratika Water Sports/Nga Hoe Horo 2.55.57; 2 Ngakau Toa Vaka/Aitutaki Oe Vaka 2.58.57, 3 Kotuku/ Kawau Aratika Water Sports Auckland, Aotearoa 3.02.57; 4 Te Tupu/IROAM Te Tupu/Nga Hoe Horo 3.15.24; 5 Ngakau Toa Vaka 3.21.71.         

Junior 16 Boys 500m Club final: 1 Aitutaki Oe Vaka 2.52.57; 2 IROAM Nga Hoe Horo 2.54.59; 3 Ngakau Toa Vaka 2.59.31; Te Tupu/Mana College/Kawau 2.59.81.