Va’a season resumes

After the conclusion of the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation Va’a V6/V1 Slalom Race series last month at the Kilili Beach in Susupe, the federation resumed their season last Saturday.

The V6 and V1 paddlers this time around will tackle the long distance races, which will continue into August, and then in September will be sprinting events—all of which will be held off the waters of Kilili Beach in Susupe.

Last Saturday’s race started with the V6 distance race that was about 8.5 miles that started at the Kilili Beach, went north and exited from the lighthouse, then straight out and made a left turn at the green buoy channel marker and back. 

There were four men’s and four women’s crews in the timed race. There were also three other women’s crew of new paddlers that also raced with no points which started at Kilili Beach, went north and turned left on the black buoy just outside of McDonald’s in Garapan and back—for 4.5 miles. 

NMNPSF president Justin Andrew said in an interview after the V6/V1 Slalom Race series that they began their season with that to get everyone out, “hammer away the rust, and get ready for the long distance events coming up.”

In the race series, he said he saw really good quality paddlers from the 50 to 60 paddlers who came out. “As we continue to train and continue to come out and race, it just improves our individual paddlers overall and our teams.”

The races are also part of the overall preparations for the Pacific Games in November. They are also slated to take part in the 23rd Micronesia Cup paddling competition this October in Guam.

As for getting the neighboring islands of Tinian and Rota to join the events, Andrew said “that’s actually in the plans. They don’t have cones on the two islands and no paddlers there as far as I know, but eventually, we want to reach out to them and bring the program over so we can develop those two islands and they can be part of the national team when we have a national program.”

Andrew then thanked all the paddlers who made time to come out to the race series. “We all have very different and busy schedules, so thanks to them and thanks to their coaches and clubs for putting in the time to prepare for this race. I really appreciate all of that.” 

The Marianas Outrigger Club swept both the men’s and women’s division of the V6 race; Pipit Ball was the fastest overall in the women’s division V1 and open women’s V1; Carter Calma was the fastest overall in the men’s V1 and open men’s V1; Vinalynn Oronigo was the fastest in the junior 19 girls V1; and Tyler Andrew was the fastest in the junior 19 boys V1 race.