Launching the Tefauroa, Wa'a dreaming, upcoming fundraisers, next meeting

Rocky, Mareeva and George give us all a glimpse of what is to come once the Tefauroa is launched.  Suzanne took these pics yesterday of their paddling in Emily and slaughter bay.  Conditions were perfect for paddling.

Speaking of launching the Tefauroa, the launch date has been set for Sunday November 7th at 2pm at Emily Bay.  We'll also be fundraising with the sale of refreshments (drinks and eats) and whatever else we can organise between now and then.

So, we hope all yorlye can make it for the launch of the clubs newly built 4man outrigger canoe.  Hopefully 2pm gives the night workers enough time to attend before work.  It will also be a good point of contact to arrange paddling times with other members.

A reminder that we have also ordered some hats which can be embroidered with any of the club designs, (see previous blog).  You can chose from black, blue, red or white hat with any colour embroidered design that you wish. Please e-mail Lou and place your order.

George has planned a beautiful program for the launching of the Wa'a and I've attached it:

LAUNCH OF WA’A TEFAUROA (OROA FAAINURAA VA’A)

7 November 2010

Tihoti will begin the traditional Tahitian launch of the wa’a with the sounding of the conch shell.

On the first sounding, he will invoke the divinities related to the elements – the sun, the wind, the ocean, the land: welcoming them to the ceremony.

At the same time, he will welcome Taaroa, the supreme god in the Tahitian belief system.

On the second sounding of the conch, he will invoke the god Tane, (god of  canoe builders and marae), asking Tane to bless Tefauroa.

He will baptize the wa’a with sea water held in a bamboo cup with Oihanu.

Finally, Mauatua will faahei (place flower necklaces) on Tefauroa.

All this to ensure the safety of those who paddle the wa’a Tefauroa.

After the launch, we will post the orero (speech), as this will depend on the day’s weather.

Tihoti as translated by Pauline Barff also provided some terminologies that we should become familiar with:

A BIT OF VOCABULARY

WA’A PARTS

tino va’a                                  body of the wa’a

ama                                         outrigger

pae ama                                  left-side of wa’a

(tau ama - ancient word probably used at time of Bounty)       

Pae atea)                                 right side of wa’a

(tau atea - ancient word probably used at time of Bounty)

‘iato                                         crossbars or struts of wood attaching outrigger to canoe body

‘iato mua                                 front crossbar

‘iato muri                                back crossbar

parahira’a                               seat

(’apa’apa or noho were the ancient words used at the time of Bounty)

STROKE TECHNIQUES

huti pa’ari                               long reaching hard stroke used for paddling against the current

huti pe’e                                  short light stroke for surfing waves

huti roa or fa’aroa                  long reaching stroke, not as hard as the huti pa’ari, used in calm conditions                                           or surfing waves

ha’apine or pine                      short, very fast stroke

fa’arotahi                                syncronise

THE PADDLE

hoe ’afaro                               paddle with straight shaft used for steering

hoe fefe                                   paddle with double bend (one where the shaft meets the blade and the other                                          mid-shaft)

hoe hipa                                  paddle with a bend where the shaft meets the blade giving blade an angle of                                           around 15 degrees

rapa                                         blade of the paddle

’aufau                                      shaft of the paddle

maura’a or tapeara’a             handle

TEAM

fa’ahoro or ’afa’i                    1^st person who gives the speed of the stroke to the rest of the team

peperu or tau’ai                      last person who steers

tura’i                                       the middle paddlers who are the engine

tare                                          Captain who calls the order for the rythym

by Tihoti (aka Georges) translated to English by Pauline

Our next meeting will be Friday November 5th,  at the sports and workers club, if they are still operating, but stay tuned in case there is a change of venue.  The purpose of this meeting will be to finish organising the launching of the Tefauroa.  Another Under 18 disco fundraiser has also been scheduled for Friday November 26th, so please keep an eye out for this and if you can volunteer some time that would be great.