All eyes are on the waters of Samoa as athletes from the region come together and paddle their way to glory at the annual Alo Paopao regatta and Samoa's inaugural Te Aito race.
The sport of outrigger paddling, also known as 'Vaa', celebrates Polynesia's seafaring skills, especially Samoa which was once known as The Navigator Islands.
Competitions kicked off from 26 August with an Ava ceremony at Apia Harbour followed by the sprint races. The 15km and 18km marathons and 30km relay will be held today and tomorrow August, which makes the perfect lead up to the Teuila Festival – the biggest Samoan cultural festival in the South Pacific Festival calendar which kicks off 4 September.
The annual Regatta is a must see event, attended and looked forward to by both locals and tourists. The sprint on water is one of the most anticipated events of the year and adds to the energy of the celebrations.
The Te Aito race carries on from the Aito Tahiti fraternity. The one-man race is the ultimate test of strength and endurance as paddlers navigate their way from the Apia Harbour along the northwest coast of Upolu, to the stunning lagoon at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Resort.
Prime spots along the sea wall in Apia fill up early as locals and tourists claim their vantage points to cheer the rowers on. A symphony of pure athleticism and synchronized movements, the regatta is a sight to behold and not to be missed.
Regatta dates:
26–31 August: Alo Paopao Regatta
3 September: Te Aito Regatta