Pictures of Tahiti : Papeete : Tahiti, Heiva Traditional Sports Competition

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We had planned our visit to Papeete to coincide with the annual Heiva cultural celebrations and we were glad we did!

In the sport of Javelin throwing, or Patia Fa, contestants try to hit a coconut on top of a pole 7.5 m high and 22 m away.

The Heiva sports site.

First hit..

Second hit...

And many more.

Rock lifting - amoraa ofae. This guy was blessing the contestants with his leaves.

Competitors are required to lift a stone rock - in this case, 120 kg.

They have to get it onto their shoulder as fast as possible.

The tattoos are traditional.

Defeat.

Polynesian seating.

Outrigger sailboat.