CI TOURISM SIGNS ON FOR 2019 MATSON VAKA EIVA

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Cook Islands Tourism Corporation

Cook Islands Tourism have signed up to support the biggest international sporting event in the Cook Islands, the 2019 Matson Vaka Eiva.

Vaka Eiva signing 2019
Vaka Eiva 2019 Event Organiser Eva Allsworth and Global Sales and Marketing Manager Karla Eggelton. 

 

This year marks the 16th edition of Matson Vaka Eiva. The annual sports event on Rarotonga will be held from the 22nd - 29th of November. The festival is more than just competitive challenging canoe racing, with several novelty races as well as events taking place across the week celebrating the Cook Islands’ culture, customs, food and entertainment.

"Vaka Eiva is both a fantastic spectator and competitor event." said Cook Islands Tourism's Global Sales and Marketing Manager Karla Eggelton. "We're pleased to provide support for the 16th edition of Vaka Eiva, an event that continues to bring visitors to the Cook Islands to compete and experience all that our little paradise has to offer." 

Event Coordinator Eva Allsworth was please with preparations so far, with the number of international paddlers already up by 15-20% on last year and the return of the Junior paddling programme.

"We are extremely thrilled to bring the Juniors ‘Oe Mapu’ event back after a 3 year hiatus and will be hosting this across 2 days at Sails Restaurant and Bar in Muri and 21.3 Vaiana’s in Nikao Beach. Oe Mapu has been made all the more exciting as we have close to 100 junior paddlers from Australia and New Zealand who have already registered!" Allsworth stated at the signing of the sponsorship agreement with Cook Islands Tourism.

"We at Cook Islands Canoeing Association are over the moon that Matson have agreed to sign on as our naming sponsor for 2019-2020, and would also like to take this opportunity to extend a big Meitaki Ma’ata to Cook Islands Tourism and all of our sponsors for their continued support.”