With just 4 days to go until the 2024 Aitutaki Liftoff kicks off, there is a air of excitement amongst Aitutaki locals as they prepare to go head to head with a host of international competitors from Canada, Hawaii and New Zealand. This year’s event is shaping up to the biggest one yet, including 24 teams across 4 different categories.

This year will feature a new “local Village Category” which will give the fiercely proud local villages a chance to compete for the top spot. The inclusion of 6 local Youth teams also marks an increase in participants since the category was introduced in 2023. The biggest category in 2024 will include the Beginners category with 9 teams, which is structured to encourage those who are just starting out on their fitness journeys, to get involved in an event centered around fitness and community. The Open category has a strong representation from the Rarotongans this year, so we look forward to seeing athletes perform in this category, including the Cook Islands top Olympic Weightlifter, Jerome Tura. Tura will also be competing amongst approximately 20 other lifters at the Individual Weightlifting event on Thursday the 7th November, held at the Aitutaki Fishing Club.

Event Director Dani Adendorff is excited to positive growth of the Aitutaki Liftoff with every passing year as this is the only event of it’s nature in the Pa Enua. It’s not only an opportunity for locals to partake in something different, but it’s also a great way to promote wellness tourism for our visitors from overseas.

The first event of the fitness festival kicks off at 4pm at the Aitutaki Fishing Club - The Individual Weightlifting Competition - Thursday 7th of November. Followed by Day 1 of 2 of the Team Challenge which starts at 4pm on Friday the 8th at the Ureia Field.

The biggest day of events will be day 2 of 2 of the Team Challenge, hosted at Ootu, from 8am to 2pm on Saturday the 9th, which will include an exciting mix of water events such a Vaka sprint race, swimming as well as some land based events.