The Nadi Bay Canoe Club will be hosting their first-ever Junior Regatta Championship, this weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October at Wailoaloa Beach.
This inaugural Junior Regatta marks a historic milestone for the Nadi Bay Canoe Club as it sets its sights on nurturing the next generation of paddlers.
Guided by the belief that “paddling helps build confidence, teamwork and character,” the championship has been created to ignite passion, nurture skills and cultivate the next generation of Va’a athletes.
Organiser Tracey Lee who represented Fiji internationally in Va’a at just 13 years old, and a small, dedicated committee of volunteers, is a true testament to the community spirit that drives paddling in Fiji.
Lee brings both passion and experience to the Junior Regatta, inspiring young athletes and providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and love for the sport.
With the generous support of Simple Green as the principal sponsor, the Junior Regatta Championship will unite young paddlers from around Fiji to compete, connect, and celebrate the rich culture of Va‘a.
Participating clubs include Tafaga Canoe Club, Takia Canoe Club (Suva), Vuda Canoe Club, and of course, Nadi Bay Canoe Club.
The event has also sparked enthusiasm among first-time paddlers, adding a fresh wave of excitement and inclusivity to the competition.
Lee says this event is about more than competition—it’s about opportunity, teamwork, and inspiring the future of canoe paddling in Fiji.
She says paddling runs through our veins; it’s how our ancestors journeyed, traded, and connected.
The organiser says naturally, we are people of the water, and it’s only right that we pass this legacy on to the next generation.
The regatta will feature V1 (single canoes) and V6 (6 person canoes) in a mix of sprint and distance races.
Adding to the excitement, Fiji’s junior representatives who recently returned from the Palau Mini Games and the World Distance Championships in Brazil will be competing at the regatta.
Fiji Outrigger President, Loretta St Julian-Ooms, says this regatta could not come at a better time, and it builds valuable momentum as they look ahead to the Fiji International Race at the same beach, in April 2026 and the International Va‘a Federation World Sprints in Singapore later next year—offering juniors a powerful pathway to the international stage.
The organising committee extends their heartfelt thanks to all event partners and supporters, whose contributions have made this championship possible—including Axellerate, Kaiwai Watersports, South Sea Cruises, Team Up Events, Goodman Fielder, Life Cinema and DJ Micks.
