The 2025 Paddle for Cancer event concluded on an uplifting note at Wailoaloa Beach yesterday, celebrating another year of community unity in the fight against cancer in Fiji. The event featured a challenging 36-kilometer paddle from Castaway Island Resort to Aquarius on the Beach, drawing an impressive turnout of participants and supporters.
Event Chair Steven Andrew, who is also the General Manager of Castaway Island Resort, expressed immense gratitude for the collaboration and spirit displayed throughout the preparations and during the event. “I’m so appreciative of our hardworking team,” Andrew noted. Organizing such a large-scale event involving multiple organizations undoubtedly requires substantial planning and coordination, and Andrew emphasized how the collective commitment among different groups was instrumental in the event’s success.
The Paddle for Cancer committee, which includes representatives from Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Six Senses Fiji, and Nadi Bay Canoe Club, worked diligently together to ensure a seamless experience. Andrew shared, “Seeing the reception here at Wailoaloa Beach was emotional. It goes to show that people do care—cancer is a disease that has touched so many communities and families in Fiji and around the world.”
This year marks the second annual Paddle for Cancer event, which continues to raise both awareness and funds for the Christian Pesamino Leukaemia Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cancer across Fiji and honors the memory of Christian Pesamino, a young paddler who lost his battle with leukaemia.
Participants not only took to the waters for competition; they paddled for hope and unity, reinforcing the message that every individual can make a difference. The event served as a testament to the resilience of the community, highlighting the collective efforts to combat cancer.
As the paddle community converges each year, the event not only pays homage to those impacted by cancer but also strengthens bonds among participants and supporters, creating a lasting legacy of love and support in the ongoing battle against cancer. Each stroke through the water symbolizes commitment—bringing awareness and care to those in need while fostering a spirit of togetherness among participants of all ages.