1 Dec 2012

Sport: Vaka Eiva organisers pleased with steady turnout

6:38 am on 1 December 2012

The annual Vaka Eiva outrigger canoeing festival comes to a close in Rarotonga today, with organisers happy at another strong turnout.

About 700 paddlers are taking part in the week-long event, which is now in its ninth year.

The event co-ordinator, Victoria Dearlove, says the turnout is especially pleasing because this year they had some competition.

"This year we have the world sprints and, particularly from New Zealand, we know that a lot of people head over to the world sprints in Canada so to still maintain those numbers when it's a world sprints year we're very very happy."

Victoria Dearlove says despite overall numbers staying about the same, there are a lot of both new faces and regular participants, while the Australian contingent has grown from last year.

The on-water competitions wraps up with the Muri Beach Sprints this morning and Under 14 and Under 16 Lagoon Races.