Today was the Hawaiki Nui Va’a race… and we just happened to be on the right island at the right time! It’s an annual 6 man outrigger canoe race that takes place across the open ocean (these guys are fearless!)…

… and in the lagoons between the islands (that is where we waited at the finish line sipping our mimosas!)..

The course is a total of 80 miles, and is raced in three stages across 3 days: Huahine – Raiatea-Taha’a -Bora Bora. No big prize money… just the tradition and honor of winning, so they take it seriously!

These guys were the winners…. It’s a big deal in French Polynesia. 100s of teams come from across the Pacific Rim to race, but according to the locals, “Tahitian teams always win”!

They also take the party at the finish line very seriously. There were 100s of boats and locals on the beach waiting at the finish line to cheer. Very cool to be there!

… On our way to the race we came across these young kids who were out practicing in their outrigger, and they decided to jump into our wake and race us for a stretch. They were awesome, and they tried really hard to pass us ….

Until they finally gave up exhausted! Everyone on our boat cheered for them, and they loved it!

Pretty sure they are dreaming about being in the “big race” one day!