Vendée Va'a
The most demanding Polynesian canoe race in the world
About Vendée Va'a
Vendée Va'a: The Polynesian Adventure in Les Sables-d'Olonne
Born in 2010 from the passion of Vendée rowers from Canoë Kayak Côte de Lumière, Vendée Va'a has become in just a few editions one of the most prestigious and demanding Polynesian canoe races in the world. Created by Denys Remy and supported by the SAPOVAYE association since 2015, this high-sea event challenges around twenty crews each year from Tahiti, Germany, Switzerland, and all over France.
An Extraordinary Sporting Challenge
Over three days of racing, male and mixed crews cover 128 kilometers divided into three stages (46, 26, and 56 km), representing over 38,000 paddle strokes and between 10 and 13 hours of cumulative effort. Women's crews, on the other hand, tackle 56 kilometers in three stages. The short waves, the Atlantic cold, and the wind conditions make this race considered by competitors to be the most difficult in the world, much tougher than the Pacific classics.
A Polynesian Village in the Heart of the City
On the Remblai, at Place and Jardin du Tribunal, an authentic Polynesian village comes to life for four days. About forty exhibitors offer traditional crafts, exotic gastronomy, Polynesian tattoo workshops, and cultural activities for children and adults. Every evening, dance troupes directly from Polynesia — Aloha Tahiti Show, Hei Show Tahiti Ori, Hotu Rau Ori — set the open-air stages ablaze, accompanied by live concerts blending Polynesian music and world music.
A Unifying Event
Supported by the Department of Vendée and the municipality of Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendée Va'a brings together over 250 rowers and thousands of spectators in a festive and warm atmosphere. More than 50 activities punctuate the program: sea va'a initiations, environmental awareness areas, a giant screen on Place Navarin to follow the races live, and a grand finale show concluding each edition in an explosion of Polynesian colors and rhythms.
Vendée Va'a — edition 2026
The 15th edition of the Vendée Va'a took place from May 13 to 17, 2026, in Les Sables-d'Olonne, bringing together 21 crews (200+ paddlers) from France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and French Polynesia. Five days of Polynesian entertainment on the Remblai, three offshore race stages (Thursday, May 14, Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16), an exhibitors' village, Tahitian dance troupes, and concerts punctuated the event. Victories by Apato'a Va'a (M men's course), Maui Vahine / Germany (M women's course), Lmva'a (L course), and Leclerc Voyage Va'a Api (U23).
2026 Edition — the 15th Vendée Va'a
From May 13 to 17, 2026, the Vendée Va'a celebrated its 15th edition in Les Sables-d'Olonne, confirming its status as the largest Polynesian outrigger canoe race in Europe. Twenty-one crews — including four women's teams, one U23 team, and fourteen men's/mixed teams — from France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and French Polynesia took the start. More than 200 paddlers and 300 volunteers brought the event to life.
Three offshore race stages
The races took place over three days (Thursday, May 14, Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16), in V6 outrigger canoes on two courses:
- L Course (men and mixed): 128 km total (46 km on Thursday, 26 km on Friday, 56 km on Saturday), representing approximately 38,000 paddle strokes and 10 to 13 hours of cumulative effort.
- M Course (women, men, and U23): 71 km total (15 km, 26 km then 30 km).
On Friday, May 15, at 11:15 AM, the spectacular passage of the canoes through the Les Sables-d'Olonne channel — the very same one used by Vendée Globe skippers — was one of the highlights of the edition. The races were held under ideal conditions on Saturday (7-knot wind).
A five-day Polynesian village
From Wednesday, May 13, to Sunday, May 17, the Remblai (Place et Jardin du Tribunal) hosted a Polynesian village bringing together about forty exhibitors and artisans — traditional crafts, Tahitian gastronomy, Polynesian tattoo workshops, food trucks, and an environmental awareness area. More than 50 free activities followed one another: introductions to va'a at sea (€3 per person, Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 4:20 PM), flower crown workshops (2:30 PM-6:30 PM daily), demonstrations, a giant screen in Place Navarin to follow the races live.
Shows and concerts
The dance troupes Aloha Tahiti Show and Hotu Rau Ori performed open-air shows every evening, accompanied by live concerts mixing Polynesian and world music. Hinopauko Devèze, Miss France 2026, participated in the inauguration on Thursday, May 14, at 9:15 AM.
Final results
Three days of fierce competition, marked by an impressive display of commitment (a paddler from Maui Vahine notably collapsed a few meters from the finish line, immediately replaced by a teammate to finish the race).
Programme Vendée Va'a 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — Opening
- Opening of the Polynesian village on the Remblai (Place et Jardin du Tribunal)
- Crew installation and technical briefing
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — 1st stage (46 km / 15 km)
- 9:15 AM — Inauguration in the presence of Hinopauko Devèze (Miss France 2026)
- 10:00 AM — Start of L Course (46 km) and M Course (15 km) from Grande Plage
- 10:00 AM-4:20 PM — Va'a initiations at sea (€3)
- 2:30 PM-6:30 PM — Flower crown workshop · Polynesian Village
- Tahitian dance show in the evening · Aloha Tahiti Show / Hotu Rau Ori
Friday, May 15, 2026 — 2nd stage (26 km / 26 km)
- 11:00 AM — Start of L Course, M Course and National Selection (26 km each)
- 11:15 AM — Spectacular passage of the canoes in the Vendée Globe channel
- 10:00 AM-4:20 PM — Va'a initiations at sea
- 2:30 PM-6:30 PM — Flower crown workshop
- Concert and dance show in the evening
Saturday, May 16, 2026 — 3rd final stage (56 km / 30 km)
- 9:30 AM — Start of L Course (56 km) and M Course (30 km) — 7-knot wind, ideal conditions
- 10:00 AM-4:20 PM — Va'a initiations at sea
- 2:30 PM-6:30 PM — Flower crown workshop
- Awards ceremony and grand closing show in the evening
Sunday, May 17, 2026 — Closing
- Last day of the Polynesian village
- Cultural activities and demonstrations
Official Rankings 2026
L Course (128 km, men/mixed)
- LMVA'A (France)
- RIMA HERE VA'A (France)
- TUAKI HOE (French Polynesia – Marquesas)
- MOANA MANU NUI (Germany)
- THE LOVEBOAT (Germany)
M Course — Women (71 km)
- MAUI VAHINE (Germany)
- TE RANA VAHINE (Switzerland)
- TE HINA VA'A HINE (France)
- VAHINÉ TUPUNA (France)
M Course — Men (71 km)
- APATO'A VA'A (France)
- ITATA'E CHINON (France)
M Course — U23
- LECLERC VOYAGE VA'A API (France) — ≈ 2h29
Highlights Vendée Va'a 2026
- 15th edition, 21 international crews and over 200 paddlers
- Three offshore stages: 128 km (L course) and 71 km (M course)
- Spectacular passage through the Vendée Globe channel on Friday, May 15, at 11:15 AM
- Free Polynesian village over 5 days with about forty exhibitors
- Daily shows by Aloha Tahiti Show and Hotu Rau Ori
- Victories: Lmva'a (L course), Apato'a Va'a (men M), Maui Vahine / Germany (women M), Leclerc Voyage Va'a Api (U23)
- Over 300 volunteers mobilized
Prices Vendée Va'a 2026
Practical information — Vendée Va'a
Practical Information
Access
By car: Les Sables-d'Olonne, follow signs for Remblai / city center. Parking in the city center and at the port.
By train: Les Sables-d'Olonne SNCF station, a 10-minute walk from the Remblai.
Locations
Polynesian Village: Remblai, Place and Jardin du Tribunal.
Races: starts and finishes from the Grande Plage.
Giant Screen: Place Navarin, live broadcast of the races.
Prices
Free access to the Polynesian village, activities, and shows. Sea va'a initiations: €3 per person (Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm).
Contact
Official website: vendeevaa.com
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Vendée Va'a
Le Remblai et Grande Plage des Sables-d'Olonne
Remblai, Place du Tribunal, 85100 Les Sables-d'Olonne