Navigating heritage: 24th Micronesia Cup Canoe Race

The 24th Micronesia Cup Canoe Race held in the waters off Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan last weekend brought together over 300 participants from Guam, the CNMI, and the Marshall Islands for men’s, women’s, juniors, and masters va’a outrigger canoe races.

This regional race, typically hosted alternately by Guam, Palau, and Saipan, marked a momentous occasion for paddling enthusiasts. Though Palau is usually part of the competition, they were unable to attend this year as they are preparing for the upcoming Mini Games.

At the event’s opening canoe blessing ceremony, local healer or “Suruhuanu/Yo’amte” in the Chamorro language, Donald Mendiola, and master navigator Mario Benito called upon ancestral spirits to protect the canoes and their racers.

Mendiola and Benito, both central figures in preserving cultural traditions, participated in the race aboard two canoes from the 500 Sails fleet. Mendiola sailed on the 26-foot Chamorro vessel Richard Seman, while Benito captained Mikaela, a Refaluwasch-style sailing canoe designed and built by Benito and other local residents.

The Mikaela, with its fiberglass hulls and traditional wooden spars, yards, and mast, represented the blending of modern materials with time-honored craftsmanship. Another canoe, Anaguan, also played a significant role in the blessing ceremony.

During the opening remarks, emcee Gordon Marciano shared a powerful oral history about Micro Beach, underscoring its importance to Refaluwasch navigators. The navigator’s name is Piyaal O-lang, meaning “Sand of Heavenly Skies” in the Refaluwasch language.

According to the story, the legendary master navigator O-lang (also spelled Wo-lang) first landed on Saipan at this beach while journeying from Satwal to Japan. Guided by celestial stars and weather patterns, O-lang’s navigational skills left an enduring legacy, with the sailing route between the central Caroline Islands and the Marianas named in his honor. Today, Micro Beach remains a vital cultural site, where Refaluwasch seafarers continue to study the skies and navigate by the stars.

This story is reaffirmed by chair Ray Tebuteb and grand master navigator Silver Cecilio Raiukiulipiy, as well as the canoe federation voyagers. Marciano emphasized that Micro Beach is not only significant for its navigational history but also serves as a site of deep cultural and spiritual importance. It is here that the Refaluwasch people perform firowrow, a farewell ceremony for loved ones that has been practiced for generations. This connection to both navigation and cultural traditions underscores the enduring legacy of Micro Beach for the Refaluwasch community.

The return of the Micronesian Cup to Saipan was celebrated by local leaders, including Northern Marianas Islands Sports Association president Jerry Tan.

“It is so nice to see the Micro Cup being held on Saipan,” said Tan. He gave a special welcome to the Marshall Islands, who joined the competition for the first time. Tan also praised the hard work of Justin Andrew and the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation board.

“They’ve been telling our board for over a year about this competition, which means a lot of planning and preparation went into making it a reality. I really want to recognize their leadership and the volunteers who made this event happen,” he said.

As part of the cultural experience, Mendiola explained the significance of the canoe blessing in the Chamorro language.

“In Chamorro, we call it inafa’maolek, which means interdependence. It’s about coming together as a community, helping each other, and making this event a fun and cooperative experience. Everyone has fun.” He added that the blessing reflects the values of love and unity, which are central to the event.

Richard Sikkel, not only the race director but also one of the event organizers with the NMNPSF, expressed pride in bringing the Micronesian Cup back to the CNMI after a 12-year hiatus.

“It’s an honor to have it back here. The last two times we were supposed to host, we had to cancel due to storms. We’re lucky we can host it this year, and we’re excited about all the equipment and canoes we have available to make this event happen,” he said.

Sikkel acknowledged the challenges of organizing the event, particularly securing sponsorship amid economic difficulties.

“We’re working with a budget of $30,000, and it’s been tough to make sure everyone’s on board. But by putting on this event and showing how big it is, we hope it’ll be even bigger next time and easier to organize,” he added.

The race also served as a showcase for the paddling talent in the CNMI, with local teams performing well in various categories.

“We did pretty well,” Sikkel remarked. “The Saipan Paddling Club did great in the juniors’ division, the Marianas Outrigger Club took gold in the V12, and the Marianas Pacific Paddlers earned medals in several events.”

Sikkel reflected on the growth of the NMNPSF since the last time Saipan hosted the event, noting that the organization has made significant strides in recent years. “Twelve years ago, we were struggling to get canoes. Now, we have all the equipment we need and a canoe house at Kilili Beach to store it. It’s been super nice to have these resources, and it allows us to host bigger events,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sikkel emphasized the importance of engaging the next generation of paddlers. “I’m hoping to get the juniors involved. We have a lot of junior teams this year, and I hope that continues to grow. That’s really the future of paddling in the CNMI,” he said.

The return of the Micronesian Cup, after such a long hiatus, was not just a sporting event—it was a celebration of maritime traditions, community spirit, and the enduring connection of the people of the CNMI to the sea. Through the competition and cultural ceremonies, the event reaffirmed the shared heritage of the islands of Micronesia and set the stage for future paddling events in the region.

NMNPSF would like to thank the following sponsors: Tan Holdings, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Crowne Plaza, IT&E, MARPAC, Marianas Visitors Authority, Turnkey Solutions, The Athlete’s Foot, Paradise Realty Saipan, Marianas Pacific Paddlers, Micronesia Brokers, H.K. Pangelinan & Associates, LLC, Coca Cola, UR Tents, Northern Marianas College’s media team, Hafa Adai Rent A Car, and Herman’s Bakery.

Special thanks to the Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services, Division of Parks & Recreations, Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Vince Castro, Next Level Media CNMI, Christopher Toto, Angie Yarormad, CNMI Designs, KKMP, Pacific Development, Inc., Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc., Wiski Services, 500 Sails, Pualani Crown, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, I Napu Dance Group, Da Kine, Tipiyew Bwiibwis, and Asia Hilario.