It wasn’t just any Memorial Day last week. It was a day for local paddlers to experience the passion and performance of Tahitian paddlers, with Air Tahiti, one of the world’s elite racing teams.
In Tahiti, outrigger paddling isn’t just a sport, it’s a culture and a way of life—a way of connecting with the water and with one another. Everyone was able to share this life-affirming experience, thanks to the Newport Aquatic Center, which graciously hosted the Air Tahiti team on a stop-over from a race in France on their way back to Papeete.
To make the day even more special, the young women of Team DPW Dragon Boat, Irwindale, joined the Tahitians in 6-man Matahina racing outriggers in the Back Bay and Newport Harbor. It was a memorable day and a memorable way to salute Tahitian culture and honor a team that has helped make Tahitians the world’s most respected paddlers—and helped all who attended respect the sport even more.
It wasn’t just any Memorial Day last week. It was a day for local paddlers to experience the passion and performance of Tahitian paddlers, with Air Tahiti, one of the world’s elite racing teams.
In Tahiti, outrigger paddling isn’t just a sport, it’s a culture and a way of life—a way of connecting with the water and with one another. Everyone was able to share this life-affirming experience, thanks to the Newport Aquatic Center, which graciously hosted the Air Tahiti team on a stop-over from a race in France on their way back to Papeete.
To make the day even more special, the young women of Team DPW Dragon Boat, Irwindale, joined the Tahitians in 6-man Matahina racing outriggers in the Back Bay and Newport Harbor. It was a memorable day and a memorable way to salute Tahitian culture and honor a team that has helped make Tahitians the world’s most respected paddlers—and helped all who attended respect the sport even more.
