MEMBERS of the Fiji Master Women’s canoe team are preparing for the IVF Va’a World Distance Championships 2017, at Taaone Bay, Tahiti, from June 24-30.
This is a world event and will be attended by 34 countries and Team Fiji hopes to attract sponsorship to help them meet expenses for the trip.
Team representative Sydel Whippy said meeting travel costs was their biggest challenge.
“As usual, the expenses are our biggest challenge, especially being a minority sport where funding and sponsorship are very difficult to come by,” Whippy said.
“However, this is not stopping the Team Fiji Master Women from going. They are fundraising and hosting a movie night and paddle-a-thon in April to help cover our travelling and accommodation costs in June,” she said.
“We also have team camps scheduled for March, April and May where we will be discussing and working through paddling techniques, endurance, open water skills, nutrition and team bonding.”
Tahiti is the world champion and they are hosting this inaugural event. It takes place every two years.
“From the Oceania countries, we have American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Samoa, French Polynesia, Tonga and Wallis and Futuna. Europe has six countries participating —— Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Ukrain .
“In South America, we have Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Rapa Nui, Chile, Venezuela, Guyana, Panama and in North America, Canada, Hawaii, USA. Asian countries are Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and from Africa, Morocco.”
Team Fiji Master:
Joanne Reiher, Leeanne Lee,Tina Patterson, Mere Sigabalavu Schuster, Selita Koroi, Salome Tabuatalei, Sydel Whippy, Sera Tauloli, Elise Huffer, Bronwyn Wiseman, Katerina Malo and Lua Wyley
