The School of Mechanical Engineering at Fiji National University participated in the fourth Veitau Waqa event, drawing a younger generation to learn about the Fijian tradition and build upon it. Their canoe won both the single sailor category and the double sailor category. Though they used modern equipment, their canoe was a reminder of Fijian tradition and captured everyone’s attention.

The Founder of Pacific Blue Foundation, Greg Mitchell, said, “The canoe is the most important thing in Fiji which connects the people. The mast which keeps the canoe together to reach its final destination signifies the unity we have here in Fiji which keeps us together for our future.”

The Fijian canoe was used to link the Fijian Islands in the past, and has had a great influence over Fijian culture. We hope that the sailing tradition will not only be revived, but that it will continue to be shared, passed down, and conserved.