Sports & ancestral games at Tapati

From terrifying downhill sleds to lagoon swims and coastal running — Tapati keeps ancient metaphors of strength in modern, regulated form.

Haka Pei — banana-trunk sledding on Ma‘unga Pui

The festival’s most viral image is Haka Pei: young men lie on paired banana trunks tied together and launch down the grass slopes of Ma‘unga Pui beside Rano Kau. Speeds can exceed what casual viewers expect from “folklore,” and controlled slides depend on balance, boot friction, and intimate knowledge of the track. Injuries are possible; medical crews station along the hill. The spectacle re-enacts stories of rapid descent and courage without pretending to be risk-free sport.

Tau‘a Rapa Nui — lagoon swim, coastal run, paddling

Often called the island triathlon, Tau‘a threads together segments around Rano Raraku: typically a swim in the crater’s reed-choked lagoon, a punishing run (sometimes while carrying bananas on a pole), and a paddling leg in traditional canoes or reed craft. It is the photographic bridge between archaeology and athletics — moai silhouettes above, mud and sweat below.

Pora and reed-float swimming

Pora events showcase swimmers crossing open water while buoyed on bundles of totora reeds, referencing ancient harvesting and fishing ingenuity. Costumes and body paint tie the race to clan colours, so the shoreline reads like moving tapestry.

Horse racing at Vaihu and coastal stretches

Horses arrived with nineteenth-century ranching; today flat races along fenced segments near Vaihu or Hanga Roa pack grandstands. Jockeys often ride bareback; betting is informal but enthusiasm is formal indeed. Dust, hooves, and cheering aito make these among the loudest daylight events.

Vaka tuai and collective boating

Teams build or restore reed vessels (vaka tuai) and race along protected coves. The emphasis is on synchronized paddling and buoyancy tricks learned orally — a living marine engineering exam.

Fishing, stone skills, and minor trials

Depending on the annual programme you may also see spear-fishing contests in Hanga Roa’s cove, stone-lifting demonstrations, and tug-of-war variants. Each is scored toward the queen totals, so athletes treat “minor” heats as decisive.

Safety & spectator etiquette

Stand behind ropes on Haka Pei hills, give medics corridors, and avoid blocking family delegations carrying regalia. Flash photography can distract paddlers — check signage each night.