What are the major distance races for solo outriggers?
All countries where the sport is practiced to any degree, have major distance races, including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and Tahiti. In terms of major international events only Hawaii and Tahiti have truly international events at present. Tahiti stage the Super Aito (Budweiser Channel Va’a race) in August, which is staged between the island of Moorea and Tahiti, a distance of 36kms. The event is open to those who finish in the top 25 of a series of races held throughout Tahiti and neighboring islands and then, by invitation, a select number of international paddlers. In Hawaii the Kaiwi Challenge race, is a race from the island of Moloka’i to Oahu, over some 66kms (42 miles). This race however allows for change overs. Men are permitted 2 paddlers working on a rotation basis, using a support boat and women up to to 3. Held in May of each year.
