Each October, Tahitians celebrate the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, one of the world’s premier outrigger canoe races. Encompassing three days, four islands, 80 miles, and more than 500 paddlers, the race is more than an exciting spectacle of strength and determination. It is a modern-day tie to the discovery and population of Tahiti.

There is a lot of speculation about the origin of the Polynesian people, who are credited with discovering the South Pacific. However, it is commonly believed that they first arrived by outrigger canoe on the island of Raiatea, historically known as “Havaiki”, the birthplace of the South Pacific. In celebrating the Hawaiki Nui Va’a with traditional songs, dancing, ceremony, and of course, paddling, the Tahitian people celebrate their heritage.

Since the race’s beginning in 1992, teams from the five archipelagos, as well as countries
like Germany, Yugoslavia, Australia, and the United States, have come to Tahiti to participate in
this exciting event. In a three-day show of strength and endurance, paddlers fight the waves,
wind and sun for an exhausting four to five hours each day.

The race begins on Huahine, a small “Garden of Eden” 110 miles northwest of Tahiti. The canoes depart from the town of Fare and cross 28 miles of open ocean to the island of Raiatea, the Sacred Island, considered to be the spiritual heart of Tahiti and Her Islands. The women’s and junior’s teams also compete on day one in a 25-mile loop around the lagoon that encircles the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa.

On day two of the race, the paddlers sprint 16 miles to the aromatic island of Tahaa. Enclosed in the same lagoon as Raiatea, Tahaa is known as the Vanilla Island for its numerous vanilla plantations.

The final leg of the race is a grueling 36 miles to Matira Beach on the island of Bora Bora. At the end of the five-hour trek, the paddlers are met by music, dancing and cheering crowds. Awards are presented on the final night, and paddlers and spectators alike attend a celebratory feast to commemorate not only the winners, but all of the participants in this richly historical event, which has earned the moniker, the “Super Bowl of Canoe Races.”

In addition to the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, there are other canoe races in the islands each year. In February, Tahiti hosts the Hinano Cup Va’a race, and in March both the Marquesas islands and the Austral islands hold races during their inter-island games. Similar to the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, the Heineken Kayak race takes place between Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora during April. Then the teams spend the summer preparing again for the next year’s Hawaiki Nui Va’a.