Sponsors on Board for the 2010 Vaka Eiva Festival in the Cook Islands!

The International Outrigger Canoe Regatta held between November 19 and 26 was another quality and action packed event.

The Outrigger Canoe Club of Australia based at the Currumbin Creek on Gold Coast competed with a strong open men’s team in events varying from sprints, iron long distance and the 45km Round the Island Raro Cup marathon. The Team loved racing in the beautiful waters that surround the Jewel in the Pacific, the spectacular Cook Islands. The support of team sponsors such as World Travel Professionals, Crown Beach Resort Cook Islands and Paddling Promotions gave the team every opportunity they needed to succeed.

Around 800 paddlers, some returning and others coming for the first time, flocked to the island for the seventh annual festival. Event sponsors such as Steinlager and The Bond have been behind the event since its inception in 2004.

2010 Vaka Eiva gold sponsors were Trader Jacks and Cook Islands News while Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is the premier business partner. Steinlager, the official Vaka Eiva beer, and The Bond were back on board to ensure paddlers were well hydrated with the official beer – especially at the annual Steinlager Muri Mingler party.

And of course the Vaka Bar at Trader Jacks was party central during the races and where competitors and spectators could find the coldest Steinies on the rock. The Vaka Bar in the town centre on the Harbour of Rarotonga is known as the centre of the paddling universe during Vaka Eiva offering spectators a vantage point for the start and finish of all ocean races.

Cook Islands Tourism understands the huge marketing potential of the Vaka Eiva festival and supported the event through marketing advice and assistance. The aim being to spread the paddling message across the globe.

The Vaka Eiva Festival was also the inaugural winner of the Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards in 2009. The national daily newspaper Cook Islands News was this years gold sponsor and brought to readers all the thrills and spills of Vaka Eiva. Cook Islands News provided comprehensive paddling and Vaka Eiva coverage, and has been doing so since 2005. This includes a bumper souvenir supplement before the race plus daily reports and photos throughout the week of paddling.

The team at Cook Islands News was once again boosted by the return of professional water sports photographer Harvie Allison and wife Shanta. Both hold great interest in the Outrigger Canoe Club of Australia Open Men which will be called the Crown Beach Kings. The team from Australia has finally come together with the assistance of World Travel Professionals and Paddling Promotions. This team has an incredible record in Outrigger Racing around the World, the Cook Islands organising committee welcomed them and wished them an enjoyable stay.

A programme of events and CI News backpacks are also part of the newspaper’s sponsorship for the event. Bronze sponsors of Vaka Eiva are Island Car and Bike Hire, Budget & Polynesian Bike Hire, Club Raro, Pacific Resort & Vaima Water who have been supporting paddling in the Cook Islands for a number of years now.

Family, friends, supporters and tourists were all thrilled to be a part of the event in this pacific paradise, the Cook Islands. 

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