The audience also witnessed, for the first time in Veitau Waqa history, a Bakanawa race, which allowed 27 children and teenagers to engage in the art of Fijian sailing culture. Meke performances and songs from the popular Seni Ua kei Ucuinaqarawai, Serau kei Matani Selala & Sekopi Raikoro entertained the crowd as sails billowed past in the wind.

Since our first event in 2010, we have been working to broaden our reach and share this experience with more communities. We look forward to having you join us in honouring this long standing boating tradition in the future. Director and Chairman of the event, Dr. Greg Mitchell, emphasized the importance of the canoe: “We recognize that the ocean-voyaging canoe was a key link to keeping ancient Fijian culture together and we view the craft as fundamental to Pacific island cultures.”

Mitchell resumed, “Pacific Blue Foundation wants to create awareness of the Fijian canoe so that the knowledge of the canoe builders and the skills of those sailing the canoes are preserved. The Camakau is the heart of Fiji that carried Fijian people, language and culture to all 333 islands just as the heart delivers the blood to all parts of the body. And the music is the Fijian soul telling the story of the ancestors. The Veitau Waqa delivered a healthy dose of heart and soul.”

Domonisere Setareki, winner of the single canoe race, agreed: “I can see that this will be a race that will keep growing in future.”

Pacific Blue Foundation wants to promote the importance of the Fijian canoe and its potential application today and in the future so that this aspect of Fijian sailing culture is preserved. The event was so well received that we anticipate interest in the event to spread and an appreciation for the tradition to grow.

Joji Marau Misaele, from Fiji National University, is counting on the next Veitau Waqa: “After the excitement of the race, people from Fulaga and Ogea are already planning for a good race next time as they are planning to building new canoes. We hope that others will also revive this culture and revitalize the craftsmanship involved in construction and sailing of the Fijian Outrigger Sailing Canoe.”

Program

9:00am     Opening Ceremony

10:45am   Sailing Demonstration

11:55am   First Race – Double Sailor

1:30pm     Second Race – Bakanawa

2:00pm     Third Race – Single Sailor

3:30pm     Awards Ceremony

Winners Single Sailor

Captain name                                                        Boat

1. 1. Domonisere Setareki                          Vai
2. 2. Lesi Paki  &nbsp                                Kaboa
3. 3. Simione Cakacaka                             Ikavuku

Winners Double Sailor

Captain name                                               Crew name                                               Boat

1. 1. Jijiwa Bera (Moce)                     Jitoko Moce (Fulaga)                  Cumu
2. 2. Domonisere Setareki                 Joeli Taufa (Son)                        Vai
3. 3. Lesi Paki                                   Setareki Koto (Fulaga)              Kaboa

Winner Bakanawa Race

         Jeremaia Roba

         Hilokafa Bogitini & Tuicakau Tikoisuva (equal)

         Filipe Senibua

Judges

1. 1. Epeneri Biu (Vulaga)
2. 2. Semiti Cama (Moce)
3. 3. Rogo Biuvanua (Vulaga)
4. 4. Sakiusa Veikauyaki (Moce)