Tahiti and its islands are happy to welcome their new club, Team Livestrong Tahiti which is registered at the Tahitian federation of Va’a with ID number 333.
The team is essentially composed of young veterans (40 and over) who have paddled for well-known clubs and who have already taken part in prestigious races such as the Hawaiki Nui Va'a as well as the Molokai Hoe.
Jean Millon is the president of the club and accepted to answer a few questions.

Tahitian Paddler: How did it all start ?
Jean Millon: It all started in 2008 when I was in Sacramento, USA for the World Championship. Bruce from the Team LiveStrong Hawaii came up to me because he was looking for a Tahitian guy to paddle with them for the Molokai race. They needed someone from Tahiti with the same tactic to help them and teach the Tahitian way of paddling.

Tahitian Paddler: What was your reaction?
Jean Millon: I was rather astonished, but it was quite flattering to be offered such a great opportunity to paddle with the renowned Hawaiian team from Kona, Hawaii. I accepted the offer and kept in touch with Bruce once back in Tahiti.

Tahitian Paddler: So did you participate in the 2008 Molokai race ?
Jean Millon: Yes, I did, but not with Bruce’s team. When I returned home, I found out that the president of the Venus Va’a Club wanted to be at the Molokai race with a selection of the best local paddlers. So I was there with my friends Gilles Tching, George Cronstadt, Manutea Owen, Xavier Delongeaux, Charles Taie jr, Tautu T and Teva Mooria.

Tahitian Paddler: How was the race ?
Jean Millon: We came second behind the Tahitian Shell Va’a team. It was their third victory in a row. But we were very happy with how well we did since our team was a last minute blend of Team OPT and Venus Va’a’s best paddlers.

Tahitian Paddler: Do you still have news from Bruce ?
Jean Millon: Right after the prize-giving, Bruce introduced me to Seth who is Team Livestrong Hawaii’s founder and who is also a friend of the cyclist Lance Armstrong. The Lance Armstrong Foundation is recognized for its actions in favor of people who are affected by cancer. Both Seth and Lance are now the honorary presidents of our new club.

Tahitian Paddler: How did the exchange take place?
Jean Millon: First, I shared my excitement and my experience with my best friends Jean Wong (canoe shaper) Raimana Vanbastolaer (Teahupoo Tow surf), George Cronstadt (vaa sprint world champion) and Mario Cowan (coach of the Team OPT Vaa). Then, in the beginning of the year 2009, we all met at Kona for a week of training and technical exchanges with TLSTH, KUKIO as well as for the construction of the wooden latté Vaa toru by Wong, Jean.

Tahitian Paddler: I bet it was an enriching experience !
Jean Millon: Yes, it was really great and in a good state of mind. Moreover the trainings were really effective since the team of Kona finished 7th in the race of Molokai in 2009. We all had a very good feeling and we were eager to continue this exchange ; that’s why we came up with the idea of creating the Team LiveStrong Tahiti with the agreement of Lance Armstrong and Seth who were, by the way, very proud of the idea.

Tahitian Paddler: Who are the paddlers in your club ?
Jean Millon: Our club is different from the others. We all know each other and our goal is to have fun together. But we have also chosen to get involved in the fight against cancer with LiveStrong.
There are nine paddlers in the team; Jean Millon, Jean Wong, Gilles Tching, Gilles Tching, Vatea Quesnot, Mario Cowan, Hans Aitamai, Lemmy Lambert and Popo.

Tahitian Paddler: What are the Team’s objectives ?
Jean Millon: The Hawaiki Nui 2010 race is one goal. We would also like to have the two teams, the one from Kona and ours to meet either here or in Hawaii. But most of all, we’d like to share our love for the Polynesian va’a.
Jean Millon's email is: teamlivestrongtahiti@gmail.com
Tahitian Paddler