A group of kayaking professionals who are sea kayaking instructors in Japan led by Jun Nanpei have been stopped at Naroi, Moala by the Fiji Police Force and told that they cannot continue.
The group has paddled from Taveuni to Moala and was planning to paddle to Suva via Gau and Ovalau.
Nanpei’s team of professional kayakers have a track record of safely sailing thousands of kilometres in the seas of Japan, about 1,500 kilometres around the Indonesian islands, and about 600 kilometres so far this time.
Photo: Outise.wixsite/Tabinesia
Suva Stand-up Paddlers representative, Reverend James Bhagwan says they believe that their journey is valuable to the people of Fiji, as it recreates the journey of our ancestors who travelled to the islands of Fiji as a maritime people.
When contacted by fijivillage News, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu says the decision to stop the paddlers was purely for safety reasons and Moala Police have advised the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and Lau Provincial Office, and the three have been advised that it is for their best interests as well as other seafarers particularly at night.
When asked whether they will be allowed to paddle in the day, Police said they are awaiting further guidance from MSAF.
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