By Mark Malaki-Williams
Photos courtesy of Diana Tauvale, Fred Puni and John Papali'i

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or also have a look on the Spasifik Magazine website

Outrigger Canoeing, Va’a or Waka Ama as it is sometimes called is one of the fastest growing water sports in New Zealand and the world at large. At the recent 2006 World Outrigger Sprint Champs held at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, over 22 Countries were represented which included neighbours Australia, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Samoa and from as far afield as Italy, England, Canada and the USA.

New Zealand enjoyed many gold medals at this event and it is this success that has seen tremendous growth within the sport both at a regional and national level.

It is a sport which is both culturally significant and relevant to Maori and the Polynesian people who used ancient outrigger canoes to navigate the Pacific. With this in mind, many paddling regattas are filled with fierce competition between clubs, intense rivalry between paddlers with passion being the common thread binding them all together.

It was this passion that saw a group of Auckland based Samoan paddlers, come together to form Samoa Ne’i Galo Va’a Alo. Samoa Ne’i Galo (SNG) put simply, means Samoa Lest We Forget. Their objective, to use their love and passion for the sport to raise money for charity in Samoa. The group included two couples, two brothers, a former Manu Samoa rugby player, a masters paddler (over 40 years) and an under 16 year old paddler. The paddlers (7 males, 2 females) all hailed from different Outrigger clubs around Auckland but decided to rally together, and travel to Samoa to participate in the Samoa Independence Regatta races held on May 31st and June 2nd.

Team SNG gained first place in both the 15km race, the 1500m sprint with female SNG paddler Diana Tauvale winning the V1 solo woman's race and 16 year old Joshua Perese taking the gold in the men’s.

One addition to the itinerary was a 46km return paddle to the big island of Savaii which SNG decided to dedicate to local charities. Namely Mapu-i-Fagalele (Elderly home), Fa’ataua le Ola (Suicide prevention) and Nuanua o le Alofa (National Council for Disabilities).
The crossing was held on Wednesday 4th June and started from Aggie Greys resort at Mulifanua (Upolu Is) across to Salelologa (Savaii) and back again. Local club Pualele Outrigger also put in a team to challenge Team SNG, and both crews started at 7 am sharp. It was evident early on that Team SNG was a classy outfit, easily reaching Salelologa first in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes with Pualele in the distance. The return leg provided Team SNG with a stiff head wind bringing welcome relief from the tropical heat. After 4 hours and 11 minutes of paddling, they returned to Mulifanua to the cheers of supporters, family and friends with locals Pualele crossing in 4 hours 29 minutes. Afterwards team SNG presented the local charity representatives with their cheques.

Team member Mike Sala commented, “I’m humbled to be part of this great experience, and hope that next year, more teams from around the Pacific will take on the Savaii Crossing challenge for charity”.

Team Samoa Ne’i Galo would like thank the following sponsors and donors for their help and contribution. Sapolu Law Office, Lewis Installations and Tuning, Mangere Hub Community Centre, Marias Health Care Pharmacy, AB Store and Flowers, Medcen Hospital, Aqua Water Sports, Event Polynesia, Ma’aafi and Cecelia Lalomilo, McKain Plastering, Island Designs, Marj Moore, Rasmussen Engineering & Energy, the Perese family from Maagiagi, Junior Meredith, Kevin Kolohase and Yevette Kerslake.

SNG Photo 2: Half way to Savaii.

SNG Photo 3: Paddling back past Apolima Island. (Photo by Fred Puni)

SNG Photo 4: John Papali’i and Mark Malaki-Williams.

SNG Photo 5: Mike Sala and Fred Puni.

SNG Photo 6: Senior paddler James Papali’i and Junior paddler Joshua Perese.

SNG Photo 7: Team Samoa Ne’i Galo at the finishing line in Mulifanua.

SNG Photo 8: Team Samoa Ne’i Galo (In blue L-R: John Papali’i, Mike Sala, James Papali’i, Tina Kea, Tino Papali’i, Mark Malaki-Williams, Fred Puni and Joshua Perese in front.) with representatives from the local Charities, Fa’atau le Ola, Mapu-i-Fagalele and Sponsors Aqua Water Sports and Perese Family.