On Friday, July 10, 1964, The Fiji Times published an article about the Kabara canoe race in Suva. It mentioned that canoe Jiokapeci didn’t just secure first place, but also second place.
The confusion stemmed from the fact that two of the four canoes from Kabara were both named Jiokapeci.
Hundreds of people lined the wharves and the waterfront to watch the race, which started and finished at the central reclamation jetty.
The race, even though a spectacle, was said to be somewhat of a disappointment. It almost became two separate races before the canoes had gone more than a few hundred yards.
The two smaller canoes, Railala and Sanita, called for the wind to help them on their way. But the wind offered little help.
Even the crews of the two Jiokapecis had to devote considerable time to their sails to take advantage of every puff.
When the leading canoes reached the buoy and turned, Sanita was well back in third place, and Railala was still further behind.
Sanita, the largest and heaviest of the four canoes, appeared to have some difficulty in finding the wind when tacking for the homeward leg, and Railala came through into third place.
By that time, however, the leading canoes were close to the wharf.
Jone Mate and Apaitia Seru brought their canoe into first place by a narrow margin from the other Jiokapeci.
Jone found a bit more satisfaction in the win than his fellows. He was one of the two men in the fifth canoe which set out from Kabara for the race but sank in heavy seas.
Railala took third place, a comfortable margin ahead of Sanita.
The race was the highlight of the celebrations during a day on which the accent was on youth.
Albert Park reverted to its role as a sports arena when the younger members of the Methodist Church demonstrated their skill in their chosen sports.
Rugby, men’s and women’s hockey, and athletics were all seen at Albert Park in perfect weather.
There was women’s basketball at the Botanical Gardens and table tennis at the YMCA rooms.
The day’s celebrations were well under way before anyone thought of going to Albert Park.
A march of youth at Albert Park set things under way, which was followed by meke of welcome.
The Scripture Union display was officially opened at 10.45am that day.
At 11am the sports began and continued throughout the day.
A band concert opened the evening’s program, and it was followed by items by the Youth Combined Choir. Later, there was a choir competition.
