AN iconic outrigger canoe competition has been revived in Fiji after the country’s impressive performance in recent international competitions.
The Wai Tui International will run from April 3-6 in Nadi and will be open to local and international competitors at emerging and elite level.
Once a celebrated fixture in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Wai Tui International was originally conceived by the late Colin Philp, whose vision, dedication and deep respect for canoe culture helped establish the event as one of Fiji’s most celebrated paddling competitions.
“His legacy continues to inspire the paddling community today, and the event’s revival honours his pioneering contribution to Fiji’s ocean-sport heritage,” Loretta St Julian-Ooms, President of Fiji Outrigger said.
Fiji performed well in 2025 with podium finishes at the 2025 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Distance Championships in Brazil and the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
“Fiji Outrigger sees these achievements as part of a broader movement and rapid rise of outrigger canoeing, also known as Va’a, across Fiji and the Pacific,” Ms St Julian-Ooms said.
“We’re excited to bring paddlers together in a way that reflects the strength and spirit of the Pacific. The Wai Tui International is a chance to reconnect with our roots and showcase how far the sport has come in Fiji.”
The 2026 Wai Tui International will feature V1 and V6 races across junior, open, and masters’ divisions, alongside cultural exchanges and opportunities for local businesses to benefit from sports tourism.
Organised with funding support from the Fiji National Sports Commission, the event has already attracted expressions of interest from paddlers in Solomon Islands, Australia, Wallis and Futuna, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States, Samoa, and clubs across Fiji. With momentum building, the regatta is expected to draw hundreds of paddlers and supporters to Fiji’s shores.
Fiji Outrigger’s domestic calendar continues to grow, with record participation in junior regattas, sprint events, and club development programs.
Backed by the Fiji National Sports Commission and local sponsors, the federation is investing in coaching pathways, equipment access, and inclusive programming to ensure va’a remains accessible and sustainable.
“We’re seeing more junior paddlers on the water, more clubs stepping up, and more communities getting behind the sport,” Ms St Julian-Ooms added.
As preparations for the Wai Tui International ramp up, Fiji Outrigger invites regional partners, sponsors, and paddling communities to be part of an unforgettable event that celebrates the spirit of Va’a and the strength of Pacific collaboration.