See the Super Bowl of Tahiti as photographer Shelly Strazis follows this team of six men from a small island in Tahiti in one of the most exciting races in the Pacific, a three-day outrigger race called the Hawaiki Nui Va'a. ∏he islands of tahiti are where we all dream of going to relax and to slow down the pace of daily life. And yet, against the perfect island backdrop is this outrigger race, the three-day Hawaiki Nui Va’a, that’s all about paddling to exertion, napping on floors and repeating. I’d photographed the last day of the race a few years ago and was amazed by the determination of a particular team from the tiny island of Maupiti. There is no tourism on Maupiti, and no privileges for its best athletes. They’re in shape from meeting basic needs, like hauling water and harvesting food. So I had to come back to see how these guys weave in training for this ultimate three-day outrigger race that starts in Huahine and ends in Bora Bora. Watching them for three weeks gave me the truest rush I’ve ever experienced Tahiti.
