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Fédération Internationale de Va’a (FIV) International Va’a Federation (IVF)

Charles VILLIERME Président

The European Va’a Meeting 24 November 2007

Location: Taunusanlage 1 (SKYPER), 60329 Frankfurt/Main, Germany Attendees: see List of Attendees attached as Annex

MINUTES The European Va’a Meeting was organized and held for the first time. The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. The opening address was provided by President Charles Villierme and Jérôme Friedrich. 1.

Presentation of the attendees After the opening address each attendee introduced himself and his role in the va’a sport to the other attendees.

2.

Presentation of the IVF (historical overview, structure, goals and objectives) Charles Villierme presented the IVF to the audience and provided an overview of the creation, history, structure and goals of the International Va’a Federation. After having provided a brief overview on the creation and change in name of the International Va’a Federation (formerly known as International Polynesian Canoe Federation) Charles Villierme explained the terms “va’a” and “outrigger canoe”. He emphasized that the term “va’a” is the official and internationally recognised term of the sport and that the term “outrigger canoe” has its source in the USA. Historically, the terms Wa’a, Waka, Waka Ama and Va’a were used (taking into account regional considerations) and were discussed to designate the sport, but finally the international community agreed on the term “va’a”.

After this explanation and clarification, Charles Villierme presented main purposes of the IVF being, among others: (a) to develop, promote and encourage the practice of paddling va’a for competitive and recreational purposes throughout the world; (b) to establish and enforce regulations for international va’a racing competitions; (c) to sanction international championship va’a competition in the spirit of the Olympic Games; (d) to have va’a racing a sport included in regional international competitions leading to the Olympic Games. Further, Charles Villierme explained how the IVF is organized and provided some information on membership. He pointed out that membership may be granted to the national controlling authority (representative association) of the va’a sport in a given country, that currently existing IVF Members are still recognized, but that new applicants must be national federations. There are three membership classifications: -

Class A-Members have one representative on the Board who may cast two votes;

-

Class B-Members have one representative on the Board who may cast one vote;

-

Class C-Members have no representative on the Board.

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) determines which members are eligible for Class A status. In determining whether a member is eligible for Class A status, the Board will take into consideration certain criteria (such as the legal recognition by national public and sports authorities, the number of paddlers, clubs and sub-associations etc.). The President may accept new Class B or C Members at any time, subject to Board approval at their next meeting. Further, Charles Villierme elaborated on the Va’a World Sprint Championships, presenting the different va’a classes (V1, V6 and V12), distances (500m, 1000m and 1500m) and categories: Junior Women (16) Junior Women (19) Master Women (35) Senior Master Women (45) Golden Master Women (55) Open Women Junior Men (16) Junior Men (19) Master Men (40) Senior Master Men (50) Golden Master Men (60) Open Men

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Charles Villierme expressed his thoughts about potentially introducing a new category for V1 with rudders which could for example be called: V1r 3.

Presentation of the va’a situation (a)

in Germany – Jérôme Friedrich Jérôme Friedrich briefly provided an overview on the situation in Germany (including number of paddlers and va’a clubs in Germany, organisation of va’a paddlers in Germany, races etc.). After having exchanged views among the German attendees, it turned out that we can currently count approximately 250 300 active va’a paddlers in Germany with more than 150 V1/OC1, approximately 40 to 50 OC2 and 10 V6. The main regions in which va'a is practiced are: Berlin/Neubrandenburg, Wuppertal, Frankfurt, Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Hannover. There are only few va’a clubs. Most of the paddlers are members of canoe clubs offering an “outrigger canoe” section. Currently there is no German Va’a Federation. The Va’a sport appears to be somehow represented within the German Canoe Federation (Deutscher Kanu Verband – DKV). Though, no clear section or responsibility area appears yet to be fixed within the DKV. It has been brought up that a German representative for the va'a within the DKV shall soon be appointed.

(c)

In France – Karl Teore Jérôme Friedrich translated into English some views Karl Teore (Manu Ura, Toulon) and Vaïmiti Chaves (Ruahatu Va’a) explained in French. The organisation of va’a paddlers in France is similar to the organisationin Germany, i.e. only few va’a clubs (most of the paddlers are members of canoe/kayak clubs). Otherwise, France has a lot more V6 than Germany (more than 30). In this context it is important to note that the Porquerollaise (organized by Ruahatu Va’a) and the Orofero Challenge (organized by Manu Ura) are among the most important European V6 races.

(d)

in Sweden – Pelle Neige Pelle Lönqvist provided a short overview of the situation in Sweden and indicated that there are currently only 2 clubs/teams in place. Va’a Stockholm has 2 V6, 4 V1 and 1 V4. Va’a Stockholm participated at the Orofero Challenge in Toulon this year. Pelle talked about his experiences when travelling various countries where the va’a sport is practiced and explained his perception of the va’a, its culture and values.

(e)

in England John Court talked about his activities relating, in particular, to adaptive va’a paddling in England. He further provided arguments and information (pro and cons) on reasons for which va’a could become an Olympic and Paralympic Sport. Due to several canoe disciplines which have fallen or will most likely fall away as Olympic Sport, John sees a great potential for the acquisition of new va’a paddlers and the development of the international va’a sport.

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In particular, John pointed out that ICF could be at risk of losing in aggregate 146 of its 328 places for the 2016 Olympic Games. As regards adaptive paddling, John emphasized that va'a provides far better conditions for canoe athletes with a disability than the regular ICF boats. Though, the ICF appears to be the body controlling the access to the Paralympic Games. The idea could be to work on an agreement between IVF and ICF pursuant to which both federations could agree on filing a joint bid for the Olympic Games. Synergies of both federations could be used in order to enhance the chances of kayak and canoe (including va'a) sport to be appropriately represented at the Olympics and Paralympics. Further, John briefly provided his views on issues and challenges in connection with a European Va'a Association and European International Race Series (in particular, human and financial resource issues will have to be solved). European Championships will further require sufficient number of boats of each class (in particular V6). (f)

in Italy – Danilo Araldo Danilo Araldo entered the meeting via telephone conference and explained the situation of the va’a in Italy. In particular, he indicated certain issues existing between the national Italian Canoe Federation (FICK) and the IVF-Italy which is an independent Italian va’a federation. Danilo provided an overview on his plans and projects (including, setting up an Italian team to participate at the IVF World Sprint Championships 2008). Charles Villierme confirmed that Danilo Araldo will be the one and only contact person for IVF, responsible to send an Italian delegation of paddlers to the IVF World Sprint Championship 2008.

4.

The Va’a as Olympic Sport (sprint, marathon, V1, V3, V6) The goal of bringing the va’a sport to the Olympics was discussed among the attendees and various ideas were exchanged. Generally, the attendees agreed that the earliest point in time for an inclusion of the va’a sport in the Olympics was 2016. In this context Charles Villierme indicated that the va’a sport is included in the Pacific Games (formerly South Pacific Games) and pointed out that va’a has been confirmed to Oceania as a sport on the same level as canoe kayak and he is striving for further recognition at various other groups such as the Pan American Games, etc.

5.

World Sprint 2008 in Sacramento (USA) Charles Villierme provided Jérôme Friedrich with the Bora Bora 2002 IVF – IVF Charter - Va’a World Sprint Championship Race Rules and asked him to provide copies to interested attendees.

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6.

Miscellaneous At the end all participants agreed that we need European race calendar showing all European va'a races in order to improve the setting of dates and have a better overview on the type of races which are organized in Europe. Further, the idea of a European circuit or European Championship was brought up and discussed. The idea would roughly be to include several specific races in such circuit. Alternatively, one could also think of a specific race to be designated as the European Championship. Finally, the idea of a European Va'a Confederation was brought up. Such Confederation could have as goal to decide upon and organize the European Championships, to promote and develop the va'a throughout Europe and to support the efforts to bring the va'a to the Olympics.

The meeting was closed at 7 p.m. with a closing speech of Charles Villierme.

IVF President

IVF-Correspondent (Germany)

Charles Villierme

Jérôme S. Friedrich

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ANNEX

The European Va’a - Meeting in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Date: 24 November 2007 Location: Taunusanlage 1 (Skyper), 60329 Frankfurt am Main Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

LIST OF ATTENDEES

1. Charles Villierme (President of the IVF) 2. Guido Wrede (VFK Wuppertal) 3. Frank Theelen (DKV; Hawaiian Sports Festival) 4. Olaf Knoke (Kanu-Verein Unterweser, Bremerhaven) 5. Pelle Neige (Va'a Stockholm, Sweden) 6. Karl Teore (Manu Ura Va’a, France) 7. Vaïmiti Chaves (Ruahatu Va’a, France) 8. John Court (Trentham Outrigger Canoe Club, England) 9. Danilo Araldo (WAS Savona, IVF-Italy) 10. Jérôme Friedrich (Oro Nui Va’a, Frankfurt) 11. Alec Montalbetti (Oro Nui Va’a, Frankfurt) 12. Steffen Klawitter (Oro Nui Va’a, Frankfurt) 13. Jens Oechler (Oro Nui Va’a, Frankfurt) 14. Sofia Solkidou (Oro Nui Va’a, Frankfurt)

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