MOC competes in inaugural Va’a Japan Champs

The NMI’s Marianas Outrigger Club joined history on Sept. 14 by competing in the inaugural Va’a Japan National Championships in Enoshima.

The team arrived in Tokyo on Sept. 12 before traveling south to the race venue, where they trained with host club Shonan Outrigger Canoe Club and adjusted to Tahitian V6 canoes. Calm practice waters turned rough on race day, with strong winds and swells forcing officials to shorten the course and delay the start.

There were eight race categories—OC6 and V6 men’s/women’s open; and OC6 and V6 men’s/women’s masters 45.

MOC competed in the V6 women’s and men’s open.

The women’s crew of Lori Rabe, Ana Mendiola, Marisol Ladino, Elaine Sablan, Sakura Halstead, and Momoko Halstead came in with a time of 1:06:30, placing just behind Suruga Chigasaki United at 1:06:12. VRC Wahine secured the division’s fastest time at 1:07:32, while Team Imanja and Taputapuatea rounded out the field.

The MOC men’s crew—Jose Quan, Jason Tarkong, Steve Beyer, Tim Asaivao, Darian Salas, and Dirk Sikkel—started well in the V6 Open but swamped a mile and a half into the course as waves broke over their canoe. With assistance from Japan’s safety crew, they recovered and paddled back but did not record an official finish.

But, despite the tough seas, the NMI paddlers left their mark on Japan’s first-ever national championships, showcasing both resilience and the growing reach of va’a in the Pacific.

Reserves Mario Salas, Ashley Pangelinan, Maggy Moussalem,Tsukushiko Halstead and Julia Espino provided support throughout the weekend.

MOC captain Tim Asaivao said the experience overall was a great one. We were able to test ourselves internationally and learned that some of the techniques we apply need some advancement and that we are not that far behind others in other ways. Being able to stay with the pack majority of the race shows that a few minor adjustments to technique and training program can get us a spot on the podium. It was also great to bond and learn more about our teammates. We definitely came outta of this competition with more camaraderie and appreciation of our teammates.”

On how they heard of the race and what made them compete in it, Asaivao said that they knew about it from one of their paddlers, Ashley Pangelinan who has lived in Japan before. “After returning from Palau Mini Games she brought it to our attention. We typically only compete at the regional events so we thought it would be a good test to try an international race.”

For the upcoming annual Micro Cup Canoe Race in Palau from Oct. 24-26, Asaivao said this event has helped them prepare for it by exposing them to different water conditions that they’re not used to. “These conditions may not be in Palau but going through that experience with your teammates on the canoe really allows you to trust everyone to focus, do their job, and trust each other. The best way to prepare for a race is by constantly competing so having this race a month before Micro Cup helps to stay in race mode and on top of your technique and fitness,” said Asaivao.

The aim of the Va’a Japan National Championships, according to their website, is to hold full-scale island crossing races in areas such as the Izu and Ogasawara Islands; and foster international team exchange, community revitalization, and the establishment and advancement of Va’a culture in Japan.