Support Jason and Pipit’s bid in Hawaii for va’a champs

Marianas Outrigger Club veteran athletes Jason Tarkong and Pipit Ball are set to compete in the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championship 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii that will be held from Aug. 13 to 24.

The NMI paddlers are heading to Hawaii next Tuesday, Aug. 13, to compete in the V1 men 500m and V1 500m women’s sprints and are calling upon the community for their help and support for their expenses.

They have a gofundme account at https://gofund.me/da559385.

According to Tarkong, they will be in Hilo for two weeks, and said that the cost is an average of $5,000 per athlete. This includes meals, lodging, airfare, transport, and etc. He said to send a team of six men, six women, plus two alternates, a coach, and a manager is too costly, so it will just be him and Ball representing MOC.

Both Tarkong and Ball will be competing in Hawaii for the first time and submitted their application to compete before the deadline in March.

Tarkong is paddling against the best of the best from Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Wallis & Futuna, Australia, and France on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Ball is competing against women paddlers from Australia, Wallis & Futuna, the USA Outrigger Racing Canoe Association, France, Tahiti, and Brazil on Monday, Aug. 19.

If they both win their heats, they will advance to the semis and then to the finals.

For 59-year-old multi-sport athlete Tarkong, he said, “It is a great honor to represent NMI… Unlike the younger athletes who I train and compete with. My time is limited. I enjoy the ocean. I call it H20 therapy. I represent not only our culture, people, family, and community—but also my classmates—Mount Carmel class of 1984. Woohoo!”

Tarkong said of Ball, “she is our top female V1 paddler in the NMI. She never lost a race here on Saipan and got a silver in the [23rd Annual Micronesia Cup Canoe Race] last year in Guam. She is the stroker for MOC women and they swept the medals in Guam last year.”

Ball, who’s been paddling since 2022 said that it would be a privilege to be in the same water as the best of the best paddlers in the world. “I’ll just try to do my best, have fun, collect the experience, and learn from others,” she said.

She said that each country she will go up against will be tough, so she will just take it “one step at a time. My goal is to be in repechage and see where it goes from there.”

The weightlifter-turned-paddler said she’s been working hard and far to build her confidence up with paddling. “I work hard to train with Tarkong in the water as well as with GetfitCNMI to build my strength—sometimes remotely, and joining the other clubs wherever I’m traveling for work.

“I am thankful for Palau Canoe Club and Singapore Paddling Club for allowing me to join them to practice while I was away from Saipan. I am very competitive personally, my mindset is always leading me [to] try my best to win,” said Ball.

About this event, she said she’s been looking forward to it since she started with the sport. “We missed the opportunity last year in the World Sprints in Samoa because of the difficulties for flights, costs, and etc. This year we tried our best to afford to join the opportunities in Hilo, Hawaii.”

She then said, MOC and the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation are very supportive. “Thank you for the opportunity. I honestly look forward to the opening ceremony and walking with other athletes representing their country. Jason Tarkong, Ashley Pangelinan (team manager), and I will be so proud to hold the NMI flag.” She added, “I am at an age to have a great time and enjoy every moment and opportunity.”

Every year the International Va’a Federation has openings for the world sprints. This includes the 500m sprint, the 1,500m sprints, and the long-distance sprints. Entries include national teams and clubs.