Tauvaga Farani is the oldest paddler in her paddling club, Sea Eagles, and was a member of the very first paddling club in Samoa, Vaai Lau Foe. 

Even at 58 years old she wants to represent Samoa in the Va’a World Distance Championships, which Samoa will host in August this year.

The mother of four and grandmother to five, who hails from the village of Vaisigano, said paddling gives her the strength she needs to be of service to her family.

“I am able to paddle well because of the strength and love that God gives me. I am forever thankful for that," Mrs. Farani said. 

Mrs. Farani told the Samoa Observer that she has been preparing for the Va’a World Distance Championships and the "only thing in my mind ahead of the tournament is to train hard and win gold".

Indicating that she could be the oldest member in all the paddling clubs here in Samoa, she said, “I now paddle in an all-women team, but back in the day, it was mixed." She has been paddling for over 30 years.

Her goal to participate in the Va’a World Distance Championships has had big support from her children, grandchildren, and families overseas who plan to fly over in August for the competition.

She said that she is happy to stay fit so that she can still be of service to her family and she has now put her entire focus on paddling, she would even be training on Mother’s Day.

"Paddling keeps me strong. I train three times a day for about two to three hours, morning, noon, and night." 

In a bid to take her training to the next level, she paddles from Faleula to the Apia waterfront as part of her training and usually ends at Mulinu'u.

“I have been training for the V1 and V6 because I will compete in both,” she said. "I timed myself this morning, I could do 20km of paddling in 2 hours and 9 minutes - which is pretty good to me."

V1 is a one-person canoe, whereas V6 is a six-seater canoe. Mrs. Farani said it wasn’t until recently that she could time herself due to her not having a phone and added that her Christian faith is what has brought her this far.