FIJI Outrigger is set to host the second regatta of its 2026 season, V6 Distance 1, this Saturday, February 28, at the USP Lower Campus in Laucala Bay. This event comes as clubs nationwide ramp up their preparations for the upcoming Wai Tui International, now just five weeks away, with registration deadlines closing on March 3.
Participants at Saturday’s regatta will include Junior, Open, Mixed, Novice, and Masters crews, tackling distances that vary from 6km to 20km across Laucala Bay. The courses will journey from the USP Jetty through critical markers such as Tip of the Rocks, Sandbank Beacon, Nukulau Passage, and the Red Lollipop Beacon, adapting according to the category and distance for each team.
With the paddling season in full swing, a robust turnout is anticipated as teams test their combinations, hone their steering skills, and build endurance in preparation for the international event in April.
Loretta St Julian-Ooms, president of Fiji Outrigger, emphasized the importance of early-season competitions in shaping the path to the Wai Tui International. “Every regatta carries a different kind of energy,” she noted. “Crews understand that the Wai Tui is a significant opportunity to measure their skills against competitors from the region, honor our paddling heritage, and showcase how far Fiji has progressed in the sport we cherish.”
The Wai Tui International is making a much-anticipated return after a 14-year hiatus, scheduled to be held from April 3-6 at Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi. The event will feature marathon and sprint racing for both V1 and V6 categories across Junior, Open, and Masters divisions. Interest in the event continues to surge, with hundreds of paddlers expressing their intention to compete.
The upcoming Regatta 2 serves as a vital midpoint evaluation for clubs and paddlers alike. Junior crews, in particular, are demonstrating impressive growth, reflecting Fiji Outrigger’s commitment to youth development. Meanwhile, Open and Masters paddlers will employ the extended distances to refine their race strategies and test their stamina under competition conditions. The Mixed and Novice divisions offer a crucial entry point for newcomers to the sport.
The technical aspects of the Laucala Bay courses—including numerous ama and non-ama turns, tidal movements, and exposed stretches—provide a practical preparatory experience for the tactical challenges anticipated in April’s marathon events.
Fiji Outrigger also reminds all paddlers that time is running out to register for the Wai Tui International, with the final call for entries on March 3. Individual registrations, including those for V6 crew members, can be submitted via the official website at www.ticketmax.com.fj/WTI26.
Leave a comment