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.
