Steinlager Vaka Eiva 2009 - Be There!
We are proud to announce that Steinlager Vaka Eiva took out the 2009 Supreme Award in the inaugural annual Cook Islands Tourism Awards.
This year is proving to be an exceptionally busy one for the Cook Islands. Famous for its stunning tropical scenery and lagoons, the country is 
this year hosting the World Youth Netball Championships and the South Pacific Mini-Games, with 2000 top Pacific athletes converging on Rarotonga to compete.
Te Maeva Nui (11-19 September), the annual national cultural festival celebrating Cook Islands nationhood, will lead into the Mini-Games and, to top it all off, the annual Vaka Eiva, one of the Pacific's premier outrigger canoeing festivals, will 
once again be churning up the lagoon and ocean around Rarotonga.
Held every November since 2004, the iconic and breathtaking volcanic peaks of Rarotonga will preside over a feast of exhilarating and skilful paddling alongside a week of partying, vibrant cultural activities, shopping and serious chilling out time in paradise!
This year, Vaka Eiva will take place from 20-27 November with a record number of 850 paddlers and over 100 crews flying in from Aotearoa, Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii and Guam to join the local teams from Rarotonga Vaka Eiva 2009 and Aitutaki. So if you're planning to travel to the Cooks in November, make sure you book your accommodation to coincide with festival fun.
Spectators can enjoy all the excitement and 
hospitality of the festival as they watch the teams compete in the OC1 & V6 Avana Iron Challenge, the sprint races and the world famous 'pop the ama’ competition at stunning Muri Lagoon, along with the U19 Junior 10km and 15km races. Of course, nothing beats the thrill of the festival's two headline acts - the Women's Round Raro ‘Pacific Paddle’ relay race and the Men's Round Raro 'Pacific Cup' relay race. Last years winners will be back to 
defend their titles and will be up against strong competition vying to take their place on the winners podium!
If all that racing action tempts you to get out onto the water, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy Rarotonga's beautiful lagoon, from windsurfing to cruising. You can explore underwater with The Dive Centre, relax aboard a sunset cruise, enjoy a fresh fish barbecue lunch, or view the colourful corals and marine life on a glass bottom boat 
tour. Capt.Tama's Lagoon Cruizes and Aquasportz Centre offers a range of scenic cruises, including a visit to a black pearl farm, and also hires out kayaks, snorkelling gear and windsurfers.
If you'd rather be a landlubber, you can still get out and discover Rarotonga's dramatic mountain scenery with Tangaroa 4 x 4 Adventures or join a Jungle Quad Adventure with Coconut Tours - the perfect way to discover some of the hidden treasures of this rugged island.
Visitor Information
The Cook Islands Visitor Information Centre is located in Avarua next to the ANZ Bank and is open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-12 noon.
Useful Information
Editorial supplied by Cook Islands Tourism and images supplied by Harvie Allison Photography