By Eleanor Gee

Tonga’s Outrigger Canoe (Va’a) men's team is ready to compete in Samoa next month, after years of absence from Pacific Games competition.

The team have being training at Fa’ua Wharf, Ma’ufanga, twice a day from Monday to Friday and once on Saturdays, finishing the training week with a long-distance session. Included in the team are two young Tupou High School students, Taniela Ngaue (15) and Folau Faleafa (16).

Team Manager, Elisabeth Lalahi told Matangi Tonga the team had been training since last September.

They have registered to compete in four events at the games including two sprint distances of 500m and 1500m, and two long distance events of 16km and 24km.

“The aim, as a return to the sport, is to medal and also to be able to increase the interest in the sport for future competitions,” said Elisabeth.

Training the team are experienced paddlers, Kisione Fonua and Kafoa Latu from New Zealand who have a lot of race experience.

“Kisione, particularly, has been concentrating on technique and the long-distance runs, and Kafoa has been really instrumental in giving tips around the short distances and the sprints because they are quite different techniques."

The pair will run a full-time training camp for the team before they leave for Samoa on 4 July. 

Elisabeth said they are looking forward to attending the games and they are “really hopeful for connections and opportunities to connect with other clubs from overseas and with other people who can help grow our sport here”.

The team are all members of the Nuku’alofa Outrigger Canoe Club. The Club also runs social paddling at Fa’ua Wharf for those who are not competing and for anyone interested in trying the sport.

“We run social paddling every Wednesday and it’s free for people to come and give paddling a go. If they like it then we encourage them to become members so they can paddle more often and then they will have opportunities to compete overseas.”

Tonga’s Outrigger Canoe Team: