Heiva Va'a Mata'einaa 2022

From Saturday 02 to Saturday 09 July 2022, find the pirogue races in Mataiea on Tehoro square, on the occasion of Heiva I Tahiti.

The va'a, or traditional pirogue, is a sport that gathers many enthusiasts both on land and on water. These races bring together nearly a thousand participants, men, women, cadets, juniors and seniors, and many more on the shore to see them compete.

From V1 to V16, the rowers will have to cover between 2,500 meters and 93 kilometers for the longest race. Thus, beyond the passion, the competitors will have to show endurance. Once on the water, after many months of intense training, there are many elements to master in order to lead one's boat to victory: from the weight of the dugout - which can weigh up to 200 kg - to the direction of the swell, through the strength of the wind or even observation in order to choose the best course.

If only a few reach the podium, each athlete can be proud to have won this battle against the elements. At the end of several hours of racing, despite the pain and fatigue, what remains above all is the lightness of the crews gliding on the water, the beauty of the sport and the joy of finally arriving.

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