This race called “LA TAHITIENNE VA’A NICE,” whose 3rd edition took place without the Tahitian crews, was won by the crew from Frejus, comprised almost entirely of Polynesian paddlers.
An intrigued audience followed the event, which lasted nearly two hours, a clear testament to the physical effort of the participants.
On November 20, 2009, the Cities of Nice and Papeete sealed their friendship with a twinning agreement whereby Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice, President of Nice Côte d’Azur, and Michel Buillard, Deputy Mayor of Papeete, demonstrated their mutual desire to bring their two communities closer together.
In this spirit, the two cities organized several events in Nice in 2010 as part of a Tahitian week, with the sports segment being highlighted by the va’a race (Polynesian outrigger canoe).
Organized by the Regional Committee of Canoe and Kayak Provence Alpes and Côte d’Azur and listed on the International Canoe Federation calendar, the race is also named “Lou Giro Niro 2012” in memory of the former president, Bernard Niro, born in Nice in 1958 and who passed away in 2008. This Physical Education teacher with a specialization in kayaking, passionate about canoeing and kayaking (starting at the Nice Canoe Kayak), notably assisted in the creation of the National Sea Kayak Center at the CREPS in Antibes.
The canoes (V6 – 6 crew members on board) will be easily identifiable by their outrigger on the left side, which ensures stability on the water. Around twenty kayaks (single and double) will complete the group of competitors who will compete in the race with a round trip between Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer, passing by the shores of Saint-Laurent du Var.
