VAKA EIVA TURNS 20!
IMPORTANT NOTICES: PAYMENT DEADLINES & FUEL SURCHARGES FOR MATSON VAKA EIVA NOVEMBER 2026.
KIA ORANA ALL TEAMS & PADDLERS,
Please read this important update issued by the “Vaka Eiva Organising Committee” to ensure your entries are secured and that you lock in on that early bird discount!
1. RACE FEE DEADLINES
● 1 JULY 2026 – EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS: All payments received from July 2nd 2026 onwards will be charged at the full standard rate.
● 8 JULY 2026 – FINAL PAYMENT CUTOFF: Due to exceptionally high demand, teams in the following divisions must settle their race fees by this date:
○ Iron Races: Open Women, Master Women, Senior Master Women
○ Round Rarotonga Changeover Race: All divisions
Note: Any registered team entries in these specific divisions that remain unpaid after July 8th will be forfeited, and a spot offered to those teams on the waitlist.
2. POTENTIAL LOCAL FUEL SURCHARGE
Global supply issues have significantly impacted local fuel prices in Rarotonga (Diesel is currently $4.60/L and Petrol is $3.73/L).
As race fees were set before this spike, a surcharge may be applied to help cover mandatory support boat costs.
● We estimate between $10 – $30 per paddler, per race.
● Confirmation Date: The committee will confirm whether this surcharge is required by 20 October 2026.
● If enforced, this will be collected in cash at event registration on Friday, 20 November 2026.
Please factor this potential cost into your budget based on how many races you are locked into.
Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these global supply challenges together.
Kia Manuia,
The Vaka Eiva Organising Committee
EVENT PACKS AND RACE FEES
Please note, you must purchase an Event Pack and then add the races you wish to participate in.
EVENT PACKS
Paddler Pack (compulsory) – $240pp
Supporter Pack – $210pp
These packs include:
2 x Function and Meal passes
1 x Event/Race merchandise
ADULT DIVISION
OC1/V1 Singles Race Fee (exclude canoe hire) – $50pp
1 x Iron Race fee & canoe hire. Team of 6 – $90pp
1 x V6 Changes race fee, canoe hire and support boat. Team of 9. Mixed is teams of 10 – $165pp
JUNIOR DIVISION (Oe Mapu)
J14. J16. J19.
2 dayrace fee and canoe hire – $140pp
1 x Sprints in Muri Lagoon
1 x Marathon in Muri Lagoon
JOIN US FOR 2026! SEE OUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025
Vaka Eiva caters to all ages and paddling abilities. Offering challenging ocean Iron, Marathon races, and action-packed sprint races for paddlers right up to the golden master’s division. It’s not all a hard slog on the water though.
The race schedule gives paddlers a chance to explore our island after taking in the excitement from the day. Throughout the week there will be vendors at the Vaka Village with goods for purchase.
We wrap the week with the Official Closing Ceremony as well as dinner and a show.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Meitaki ma’ata
WELCOMING MESSAGE TO OUR ATHLETES AND SUPPORTERS
Kia orana koutou katoatoa
We warmly welcome everyone joining us to celebrate 2 decades of Matson Vaka Eiva this November. Some of you return to Rarotonga year after year for our vaka celebration, others are back after a few years away, and many are coming here for your very first Vaka Eiva experience. We’re thrilled to have you all with us and are confident your time here will be unforgettable as you dive into Rarotonga’s week-long festival of oe vaka racing, culture, festivities, and fun.
Turou oro mai, aere mai!
Roly Rolleston
CI Canoeing Association
RACES AND RACE CATEGORIES - MEN AND WOMEN
Open Men Any age over 18 | Master Men 40 plus | Senior Master Men 50 plus | Open Women Any age over 18 | Master Women 40 plus | Senior Master Women 50 plus | Open Mixed Any age over 18 | Master & Senior Master Mixed 40 plus & 50 plus respectively both men & women
Divisions for Oe Mapu (Juniors) | Under 19 Men – 19 and under | Under 16 Men – 16 and under | Under 19 Women – 19 and under | Under 16 Women – 16 and under | Under 14 Mixed – 14 and under (minimum of three female paddlers)
OPENS
This division is for paddlers over 18years old, that want to compete in the Opens division. These races will be raced separately under Mens, and Womens in the open ocean.
MASTERS AND UP
This division is paddlers aged 40 – 50 years, that wants to compete in the Masters division. These races will be raced separately under Mens, and Womens in the open ocean.
SENIOR MASTERS
This division is for paddlers 50years old and over, that wants to compete in the Senior Masters division. These races will be raced separately under Mens, and Womens in the open ocean.
OE MAPU - JUNIORS
This division is for young paddlers under 18 years old, that wants to compete in our Junior Division, held in the safety of the beautiful Muri Lagoon.
MIXED
This division is for paddlers over 18years old, that wants to compete in the Mixed races.
This category will be divided into Opens, Masters, Senior Masters. These races will be raced with mixed crews of men and women in the open ocean.
RACES
The Matson Vaka Eiva offers a thrilling range of races: the Round Raro Relay, a changeover race around Rarotonga for crews of 9 (Men/Women) or 10 (Mixed); the Irons Races, a straight-shot battle for crews of 6 across all divisions; Singles Races for solo paddlers (Men/Women); and Mixed Races blending men and women. Divisions include Opens (over 18), Masters (40-50), Senior Masters (50+), and Oe Mapu – Juniors (under 18 in Muri Lagoon), weather permitting!
ROUND RARO RELAY
The Round Raro Relay is our unique race where crews take to the open ocean and race each other around our little island paradise in this changes relay. Divisions of Men, Women and Mixed will race separately with Men and Women crews having nine (9)
members and Mixed having ten (10) members per race.
Each crew has a local support boat to follow them around the island during the race. Racecourse subject to change due to weather.
IRONS
The Irons Races are raced across all divisions of Men, Women, and Mixed. Crews of six (6) take to the water to battle it out in a straight shot at being the Vaka Eiva champions.
Divisions race separately. Course will be set on the day due to best approach for the weather. These races take place in the open ocean.
SINGLES
The Singles Races are raced all division Mens, and all divisions Womens. Entries are subject to vessel availability.
Paddlers can hire a vaka, either V1 or OC1, off a local paddler or club for a fee of $100. This race is held in the open ocean.
MIXED
The Mixed Race categories for Irons, Fun Race and RRR are a chance to mix it up for a different dynamic. Crews are made up of both Men and Women across all divisions.
These races are held in the open ocean.
