Air Pacific Brings Biggest Names In Paddling To Fiji

Fiji National carrier Air Pacific is bringing the first ever Fijian World Paddle Challenge and some of the biggest names in world paddling to Namotu Island

Fiji and its national carrier Air Pacific are hosting some of the world’s biggest names in the sport of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) this November.

To be held just 10 minutes by boat from the Nadi International Airport on the island of Namotu, the Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji will consist of a two-part international challenge, featuring the two principal components of current stand up paddle racing: Long distance and Sprint style surf slalom.

It will be an epic battle of skill between all the athletes but all eyes will be on current World Surfing Champion Kai Lenny (HI), who is looking to secure his second world title this year and the current champion, Hawaiian (HI) Connor Baxter who is leading the racing discipline. Hot on their heels is Australian Jamie Mitchell, a 10-time Paddleboard World Champion who will be looking to assert his dominance close to home.

Chuck Patterson (USA), a premier figure in California’s exploding market for SUP and winner of some of the biggest races in the last two years, rounds out the world champion roll call.

Athletes from every corner of the globe will stand up to be counted; battling for the Long Distance title as they race across Fiji’s unparalleled calm ocean surface and ride the gnarly surf breaks for the Sprint Style title. The event will also provide the perfect platform to generate a wave of adventure tourism in Fiji and position Fiji’s affordability as a destination and the Air Pacific’s well-established routes from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Hong Kong and the US mainland Los Angeles.

For Air Pacific, this is only the start of a weeklong festival of paddling. The entire event is seen as the perfectopportunity to introduce the sport to the Fijian people and encourage localparticipation across all levels. The participating athletes will hold clinicsfor the youth of Fiji, shaping future champions of this unique sport and offering some of their best tips to catch the perfect wave. On the final day of the festival Fijian locals and visitors alike will be invited to participate in fun races, family relays and initiation lessons.

The sport of Stand Up Paddling has experienced staggering growth over the last 5 years, reaching all corners of the globe and inspiring people to get out on the water regardless of age, location, and level of physical prowess.

“Air Pacific is honoured to be bringing this exciting event to our own backyard,’ said Dave Pflieger, the airline’s Managing Director and CEO. “The Ocean is an integral part of Fiji’s everyday life and an essential experience for tourists. We strongly believe that the Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji will not only bring visitors directly to the event but also ignite the SUP momentum here, both on local and international fronts.

For more information visit http://www.airpacific.com/worldpaddlechallenge