University of the South Pacific 

My recent trip to Fiji [April 19th -24th '07] included a visit to the University of the South Pacific located in Suva, to meet with the Registrar to discuss a project which Colin Philp [WaiTui Surf] and I have been working on for the past  five years; the inclusion of Outrigger Canoeing as a subject of study, using the facilities of the USP.

 

Outrigger Canoeing is now a compulsory event for inclusion at the South Pacific Games and Micro Games and therefore it is in the interest of Pacific island nations included within this framework to take serious steps in order to formalise coaching and developmental strategies. My involvement with the writing of Australia's Level One Coaching course and years of running workshops and clinics both in Australia and abroad and the work performed on the Kanu Culture books, will provide much needed reference points.

 

Early morning training session, Suva Fiji.

The International Va`a Federation has yet to meet its aims as the worldwide governing body of our sport and while our aims are far removed from any political ideology, our vision could assist with at least some genuine measure to unify and strengthen the development of the sport throughout all regions of the South Pacific, more especially within regions yet to embrace the sport fully. As a natural consequence of what is learned via the development of such a course syllabus, the ripple affect via the dissemination of knowledge will inevitably spread beyond the Pacific.

 

Coaching the Fiji South Pacific Squad from the University of the South Pacific Shorefront, April 2007.

Essentially we are working towards melding ideas on the subject from around Oceania [Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia] and the Pacific Rim to form a unified system of administration, coaching and accreditation. On the surface, one could be forgiven for perceiving only a narrow view of subject matter, however, it is our aim to think laterally, so as subjects such as health, nutrition, administration, race organisation, paddle making, rigging, va`a construction, techniques and a host of maritime skills be incorporated into the course, using some of the existing framework already in place at the USP.

 

Central to the implementation of such a course, is the purchase of essential equipment which would be stored on the grounds of the USP and maintained by students as part of their curriculum and this is currently under discussion. Taking this initiative one step further is the potential to develop additional workshops and adventure paddling excursions during term breaks together with other non-paddling activities; fishing, surfing, mountain biking. . .