Salt Rock’s Couve stands up in Fiji
Besides the tough competition and ideal racing conditions, Couve also loved Fiji and all it has to offer.
Salt Rock’s stand up paddle (SUP) star, Chris Couve has been living the island life, facing some of the world’s best paddlers at the Fiji ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship 2016 which ended last weekend.
Couve competed in various races: SUP technical men final making 17th place, SUP distance men placing 20th and the Sprint men’s race which got him fifth position.
He came 61st overall in the SUP World Racer’s rankings.
“The event was awesome! Tight racing and big waves made this a great spectacle for the sport of stand up paddling and Fiji alike. Sharing the water with 244 of the world’s best SUP and paddleboard athletes from 29 nations made for a fantastic spirit throughout the champs.
“A special mention has to go out to team Hawaii – these guys were too cool and so humbling,” said Couve.
The race he looked forward to the most was the sprint.
“The 200m straight line sprint event is a new event format the ISA are testing out which I really looked forward to as it was more suited to my strengths coming from both a Sprint Kayak background.”
Besides the tough competition and ideal racing conditions, Couve also loved Fiji and all it has to offer.
“Being in Fiji has been non stop action everyday. From surfing the super famous and iconic Cloudbreak and the lesser known but fun wave called Nomatu Lefts, down winding through the channels between the Tavarua and Nomatu Islands to Musket Cove to simply soaking in everything in between Fijian and island life.
“Everywhere I went, I was politely greeted with a smiling Bula (hello). If you have any questions or need any assistance, everyone will stop what they are doing to help you out.
“This kind of culture is infectious and you simply cannot resist but also smile and wave at every person that passes you by. Time seems to stand still over there and ‘asap’ and ‘matter of urgency’ simply does not exist in the Fijian vocabulary. If something did not happen on time, you simply got a smile followed by: “relax man, it’s Fiji time”.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not a sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
