Le Vasa Is Ready for Savaii Crossing

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The Le Vasa Outrigger Canoe Club, home-based at South Pacific Watersports in Utulei, is ready for the 2016 Savaii crossing.

Le Vasa is sending 2 crews, a total of 22 paddlers, to represent American Samoa in the 27-mile race set for this Saturday, June 25,

Head coach Paula Stevenson-McDonald says, “We are very excited to have been able to train and now send 2 teams from our club to compete in this year’s Savaii Crossing. We have a good mix of experienced paddlers and newcomers so it should be a lot of fun!”.

The coach recalls, “Last year, Team Amerika Samoa represented us well.  The team finished 2nd, and gave the winning crew from Samoa a run for their money.”

This year, Le Vasa is sending one co-ed crew consisting of mostly novice paddlers as well as an all-female crew chock full of seasoned veterans.

Stevenson McDonald said they’ve trained hard and are hoping for a safe and fun race.

She thanks everyone who has come out in support of the club and sport.

“We could not have done it without you. Special thanks to our sponsors Blue Sky, SoPac Distributors (aka Budweiser), Transit Motel, and Mr. Bill and Mrs. Nancy Satele.”

The LVOCC team manager is Trisha Satele.

The Savaii Crossing is an annual race hosted by Pualele Outrigger Canoe Club of Samoa.

It’s a 27-mile change-over paddling race that begins at Mulifanua on the island of Upolu, heading across the Apolima Strait and turning at Salelologa wharf on the island Savai’i and heading back to Mulifanua.

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