One of the most spectator-friendly events in the Miami-Key Biscayne area, the Black Belt Paddler Challenge, will be returning April 19, but this year it's part of Heiva Miami, South Florida’s first Polynesian cultural festival.
Heiva Miami will take place at the Miami Marine Stadium Flex Park.
Set against the scenic backdrop of Miami’s coastline, the paddling races include world-class outrigger canoe racers from all parts of the globe on two courses in Biscayne Bay, starting in the Miami Rowing Center Basin.
This year's event, which takes place on Saturday of Easter weekend, also features several of the Ancestral Games (Tū'aro Mā'ohi), such as Fruit-Carrying Races (Timau Ra'au), Stone Lifting (Amora’a ‘Ōfa’i) and Beach Wrestling (Taputo), which anyone can enter for a $12 fee by registering on the official website.
In addition, there will be Hula and Tahitian (Ori Tahiti) dance classes, live performances, cultural exhibits, food vendors and even a special appearance for the kids by "Moana," star of the big screen.
Entry to the event is free. Only contestants need to pay a donation to the nonprofit. Outrigger races begin at 7 a.m., while the remainder of the festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monica Diaz, the event director and producer, has gone to great lengths -- to see that this year's event will be a huge success.
The success (and a couple of bumps) of last year's paddler races, in which more than 85 competitors battled through windy conditions and a quick course change when someone stole the marking buoys the previous night, earned Diaz a visit to Tahiti (meeting its minister) and Bora Bora to witness their cultural festival and share ideas among the Polynesian islanders.
"This has evolved into an international support group," Diaz said, noting that not only a small group of the native Tahitian community will attend the event here, but she also gained a sponsor with Air Tahiti Nui and has discovered a couple of Samoan communities here in Miami and in Orlando.
Diaz also learned that the city of Geneva, in Seminole County, holds an annual East Coast Pacific Islander Festival each year that includes a fire and knife show, and that there is also a Tahitian community in Oakland Park, so the word has been spreading.
"My goal is to shed light on something fun and different," Diaz said. "I want to really have our community learn about the culture and I want them to participate. I've got to get them to my party."
“Heiva,” a Tahitian word meaning “the celebration of life,” reflects the festival’s spirit of cultural expression, unity and joy, offering an immersive experience into the traditions of French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and more.
As far as the paddling races go, Diaz is all-too familiar with the sport, having been married to André Souza, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and a professional paddler who represented Team USA in a competition in Hawaii last year.
"I love him this much," she said, explaining why this is her "passion project" in addition to her regular public relations marketing job. "In fact, he's in Tahiti right now, donating his time and spreading the word."
Last year, Key Biscayne Councilman Frank Caplan even blew the traditional horn to open the ceremonies.
At the Flex Park, several small business vendors will be represented, including Craft Miami of Key Biscayne; The Spruce Juice, also from the Village; a "super cute" Key Biscayne Acai Truck; Sweet Aloha (Hawaiian shaved ice) from Davie; and Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water.
In addition, the event will be "more than just health and wellness," Diaz said. Back to Culture education scholarship opportunities, learning to be conscious about recycling, and keeping Biscayne Bay clean also are included in the program.
"We want to make sure we're doing our part," Diaz said. "It's a long day and a long lineup of activities, but it's definitely worth it to have the opportunity for the community to come at their leisure. We hope to really make an impact for next year. This is only the beginning."
For more information, visit heivamiami.com/
Cultural festival tickets (free) are available on Event Brite (No. 1041319172677).
To become a sponsor, visit the sign-up information site.
