Polynesian Students Shine at French Indoor Rowing Championships
A small delegation of students from papara, French Polynesia, recently competed in the French Indoor Rowing Championships held in Paris from January 30th to February 1st, 2025. the event, which attracted over 3,000 participants from various categories, provided a unique and challenging experience for the young athletes.
Kaahilani Toomaru, a student at Lycée Tuianu Le Gayic, described the event as a stark contrast to the sporting landscape in Polynesia. “It’s different from the sports we have in Polynesia,” she explained. “There are many more competitors,and the stages are vrey different.”
Despite the unfamiliar environment and intense competition, the Polynesian students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. The highlight of their participation was the mixed relay race, a grueling test of endurance and teamwork.
“It’s very hard,” Toomaru admitted. “You have to row at the same time,which isn’t easy for everyone. You realy have to train hard. There’s a lot of fatigue because we’ve been competing for two days straight, with no rest. But we finished the race, and we succeeded!”
Polynesian Students Shine at National french Aviron Competition
A team of students from Lycée de papara in French Polynesia recently returned home from a thrilling week in Paris, were they competed in the national Aviron (rowing) competition.Despite facing tough competition, the team secured a commendable fifth place in the mixed relay event, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
The journey to Paris was made possible thru the support of the Aviron Federation, the Union du Sport Scolaire Polynésien (USSP), and various partners. The students, accompanied by their teachers and parents, embarked on the adventure on January 25th, eager to represent their island nation on the international stage.”It’s a huge source of pride for us!” exclaimed Tefaimiti Miria, a student at Lycée Tuianu Le Gayic. The team’s experience was filled with positive energy, camaraderie, and a shared passion for the sport.Kaahilani Toomaru, another member of the team, expressed her gratitude to the lycée, teachers Mr. Chee Ayee and Mr.Teava, and her family, particularly Kevin Scott, for their unwavering support and training.
The polynesian students are already looking forward to next year’s competition, aiming to return even stronger and more prepared. Their success hinges on winning the upcoming school selections in Polynesia, a challenge they are steadfast to overcome.
Polynesian Rowing Stars: A Q&A with Coach Antoine Lefevre
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Antoine. Your students from French polynesia recently competed in the French Indoor Rowing Championships, an extraordinary feat for such a young and relatively new rowing program. Tell us more about this experience.
Antoine Lefevre: It was truly remarkable. These young athletes demonstrated incredible spirit and talent despite the challenging environment. The French Indoor Rowing Championships is a highly competitive event with thousands of participants.
Time.news Editor: Kaahilani Toomaru, a student at Lycée Tuianu Le Gayic, described the experience as “different” from the sporting landscape in Polynesia. Can you elaborate on these differences and how your students navigated them?
Antoine Lefevre: Absolutely. Polynesian sports tend to be more focused on traditional activities. Introducing indoor rowing, with its technical aspects and focus on endurance, was a new challenge.
However, these students are remarkably resilient and adaptable. Their dedication to training, even with fewer resources, was inspiring. They embraced the new technique, choreography of the relay race, and rigorous standard of competition with enthusiasm.
Time.news editor: The mixed relay race appears to have been a highlight for the team. What makes this event so demanding?
Antoine Lefevre: The mixed relay tests both individual strength and team cohesion. Each team member must maintain a consistent pace while relying on their teammates’ efforts. Mentally, it’s incredibly taxing because each row is crucial to the team’s overall performance. During the competition, the sheer intensity and the fact they were competing two days straight without breaks, created immense physical fatigue. But these young athletes persevered and achieved a remarkable performance.
Time.news Editor: The students’ success is a testament to their hard work. What were the key factors contributing to their performance at this high-level event?
antoine Lefevre: Many factors contributed to their success. Beyond their dedication, support from institutions like the aviron Federation, the Union du Sport scolaire Polynésien (USSP), and various partners was crucial. These organizations provided financial and logistical support, allowing the students to participate.
I want to also highlight the technical support provided by teachers mr. Chee Ayee and Mr. Teava. They worked tirelessly with the students, refining their technique and strategy.
Time.news Editor: Their eyes are set on next year’s competition with the goal of performing even better. what key steps are crucial for them to achieve this goal?
Antoine Lefevre: Securing a spot at next year’s competition begins with winning the upcoming school selections in Polynesia. The focus now will be on strengthening their rowing techniques,building endurance,and improving their teamwork skills.
A crucial step is also securing additional resources for training. Access to advanced equipment and training facilities will be key to bridging the gap between their current level and the international standard.