The best outrigger canoeists from around the world return to Hilo Bay today for the fourth day of competition at the 2024 IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships.

The parking situation along Kamehameha Avenue has also changed a lot.

Today’s race program includes a total of 77 duels in the master, junior and open classes. The race is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. and end shortly after 3:00 p.m. This will be followed by a medal ceremony.

Please note that schedules may change and even be postponed on race day.

A total of 495 races are scheduled over the eight days of competition. Unless more time is needed, the races will end on Friday. In this case, some races could take place on Saturday.

If you can’t make it to Hilo Bay to watch, you can find the results from each day of competition online. You can also find live results on the same site.

If you still venture to the bay, Hawaii County Civil Defense advises that the overflow parking lot on the grassy area near Wailoa Pond is closed due to deteriorating ground conditions.

Overflow parking is instead available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium at 799 Pi’ilani St. Drivers should enter the parking lot from Pi’ilani Street.

Everyone is asked to use the sidewalks and crosswalks when walking between the auditorium and Hilo Bayfront. Hawaii Police Department officers will be present to assist with pedestrian traffic.

“Good luck to all paddlers and a safe event,” said the civil defense in its statement on the change to the overflow parking spaces.

This is the second time Hilo has hosted the IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships, the last time being in 2004.

This year, a record 2,885 paddlers from 27 nations are participating. Team Hawaii represents 21.5% of the field, with 621 paddlers from the islands participating.

The Aloha State has the most competitors on the water, followed by New Zealand with 589 or 20.4%.

Australia is in third place with 312 paddlers or 10.8% of all participants, followed by Brazil in fourth place with 295 or 10.2%. The USA Outrigger Canoe Racing Association completes the top 5 with 280 paddlers or 9.7% of the total field of participants.

The event began on August 13th, when the teams began to familiarize themselves with the track.

The races are free to watch and there are several food and drink vendors on-site. There are also merchandise vendors and downtown Hilo has many shops, restaurants and other businesses worth visiting.

If you can’t make it to Hilo Bay for the festivities, you can still follow the events live from the comfort of your own home.

On Facebook:

On Youtube:

On your Smart TV:

Simply download “Adventure Zone Sports Network” and start streaming.

For more information about the IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships 2024, click here.