Flying Fijians recharge in Yasawa 26 July, 2011

The Flying Fijians arrive in Yasawa.

The Yasawa island group and its people have been playing host to the Flying Fijians this week as players and team management moved camp for three days to the tiny Yasawa island of Kuata for a change in environment as well as to recharge and strengthen the ties of friendship and respect within the team. 

The journey to Kuata began at 8:30 AM Monday as players boarded the 27 metre long catamaran the Yasawa Flyer for the 2 hour journey. It was a breathtaking journey as the high speed catamaran verily flew through the Pacific Ocean passing such renowned tourist destinations as South Sea Island, Bounty, Beachcomber and Vomo before arriving at the shores of Kuata where outboard engine punts ferried the players to shore. 

On shore players were greeted with a huge BULA from the Kuata locals who also double up as staff on an island where facilities are for the more frugal tourist such as backpackers and young holidaymakers. Arriving on the island just before midday players were given the rest of the day to themselves to wonder and roam or simply to relax and chill. Team management moved themselves to the nearby island of Waya Lailai where plans for events and activities for the following two days were discussed and itemized. 

One of those activities occurred in the afternoon when players and management rendezvoused in the middle of the ocean to feed the local sharks who seemed friendly enough and, as is often the case when one comes so close to one of nature’s most lethal killers, the experience provided many of the players with a huge thrill. 

On Tuesday morning the players reached out to the local community when they travelled 20 minutes by punt to Namara Island where they not only trained at the school grounds on Naboro Village but also conducted coaching clinics with the local rugby players - the coaching clinics being conducted by the players themselves. 

In the afternoon the players entertained themselves, guests and staff back on Kuata Island as they let their hair down and raised the fun level to new heights with various competitions such as basket weaving, coconut scraping, volleyball and the coconut hip thrusting race – an event previously only known to the locals of Kuata Island. 

Special mention here must be made of Adriu Delai who’s wonderful antics on the volleyball court had the whole island rolling in laughter, proving his immense talents are not limited to the rugby paddock – take a bow Adriu. 

While accommodation and life on Kuata is basic, the striking topography of the land with its sandy beaches and sheer cliffs, the friendliness of the people, and the natural enthusiasm for fun and laughter which the players have exuded over the last two days, is making this trip an experience everyone will long remember. 

View photos from the Flying Fijians Yasawa Camp