The Oceania Canoeing Association (OCA) is pleased to acknowledge the support of PacificAus Sports to provide Pacific athletes with access to high-performance training and elite competition.
PacificAus Sports is a Australian Government initiative in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee.
Through this support, and in cooperation with the OCA, an Oceania Talent Team of Pacific paddlers will attend the Oceania Canoe Development Camp and Regatta in Tikitapu, New Zealand, from December 1 to 7.
The delegation will be led by OCA Development Officers and supported by senior coaches and presenters from across the region.
Samoa’s Taylinn Morete and Melrose Morete and Cook Islands’ paddlers Sophia Dun, Wynter Dun, Merina Kamana and Liam Kurariki -Aviu have been selected to be on the Oceania Talent Team.
The AOC is proud to stand alongside Oceania Canoeing in helping athletes and coaches prepare for the milestones ahead
Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said: “PacificAus Sports is about more than funding – it’s about creating real opportunities for Pacific athletes to test themselves in world-class environments.
“Canoeing is a sport that demands resilience, skill, and teamwork, and this Development Camp and Regatta will give our Pacific neighbours the chance to sharpen those qualities on the water.
“The AOC is proud to stand alongside Oceania Canoeing in helping athletes and coaches prepare for the milestones ahead – from next year’s Oceania Championships through to the Pacific Games, LA 2028, and Brisbane 2032.”
The lessons learned here – both on and off the water – will stay with these athletes well beyond this week
Oceania Canoeing Association Secretary General Danielle Woodward APM OAM OLY said: “This is an exciting moment for canoeing in our region.
“Bringing athletes and coaches from across the Pacific to Tikitapu isn’t just about racing – it’s about building a united team of nations who learn, grow, and push each other to new levels.
“Our Development Camp and Regatta will combine high-performance training with cultural exchange, fostering a deeper connection among all participants to the sport and to one another.
“The lessons learned here – both on and off the water – will stay with these athletes well beyond this week, shaping their journeys to the Oceania Championships, Pacific Games, and the Olympic stage.
“I’m immensely proud of the talent we’re bringing together and can’t wait to see what they achieve.”
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