Blue sky, turquoise sea and a strong wind to add a little chop to the waves, perfect conditions for the annual Haari Boat races in Maeganeku Fishing Port. Our teams had been practicising in an academic fashion over the previous couple of weeks and their devotion was rewarded when in its heat, to general surprise, the first boat surged ahead from the starting gun.  A deep understanding of wave functions and dopamine paid off at the last turn as the our boat, the crew paddling like young Gods, shot out two boat lengths ahead of their rivals.

Swing swing together,With your bodies between your knees.

A famous victory; but regretfully not amongst the six fastest times and so the team left the competition unbeaten but unqualified for the next round.

Spot the turtle!

The second  boat adopted a different strategy to make their mark.

Second boat gets into the mood

By cleverly using an asynchronous paddling technique and gales of laughter they obliged the commentator to explain all about our new university to the very large crowd during the rather longer than usual time the boat needed to complete the course.

Asynchronous

If not the fastest boat the second crew certainly had the most fun.

The whole village is there. We all eat black squid and pork soup and have a ball.

Biggest vat of squid and pork soup that any us are likely to come across

What it does to you

The winners of the women's final

Then boats appear and dump loads of fruit in the water.  The kids charge in and collect as much as they can. Very polynesian.

Having the best time

I wonder how long this game goes back?

Spectatrices