April 19-20 - Fiji International

To be staged April 19th/20th in Suva Fiji, from the same venue as the World
Sprints of '98.

Teams from California, New Zealand, Cook Island and
Australia will compete over OC6 500m, 1500m and a 26km lagoon/open ocean
iron race, in both mens and womens open divisions. OC1 races and a marathon
will also be staged, in a rudderless division using the Moana Nui,
Surfrigger canoes.

The event is set to become a regular event with the support of Fiji Tourism.
This years event is vital training and a yardstick for Teams competing in
the South Pacific Games to be held in Fiji during June.

The marathon race will prove to be a testing course, starting in Suva
Harbour and leaving through Levu Passage heading due south before turning
West to follow the swell along the reefline to the Namuka Passage. Some
great down swell paddling can be expected if conditions prevail. Steering
through the passage will take skill and care if the swell is up. Once back
in the lagoon area, the canoes will head back along the coast due East, over
meadows of coral in flat water, before passing back out through Rat's Tail
Passage for a brief spell into open water, then back through Levu Passage to
finish in the harbour.

The scenery is very unique; mountainous and lush tropical vegetation in
profusion.
Fijian hospitality will be extended to all overseas teams wishing to
compete.

The South Pacific Games in June, can be considered the regions Olympic Games
with outrigger canoeing being one of the biggest contigencies represented.
With the likes of Tahiti, New Caledonia, Guam, Tonga, Wallis Futuna, Samoa
and Fiji competing, the standard will be very high. National teams are
currently being selected.

In Fiji the numbers have been reduced from nearly 100 paddlers to a mere 20.
I have had the pleasure of being the technical advisor to the Fijian squad,
with regular visits. The enthusiasm and dedication is admirable, taking
great pride in their skills.

Californians Linda Dresbach and Bob Steele will be in attendance to assist
with the running of the event as I believe will Gaylord Wilcox.

For further information contact Colin Philp at waituisurf@is.com.fj

Steve West
KANUculture
http://www.kanuculture.com

Posted by keizo on Sat, 03/08/2003 - 4:01pm