Maritime Legend Honoured at Fiji Outrigger Business House Regatta

The maritime legacy of the late Captain Johnathan “Skipper” Smith took centre stage in Suva Harbour on Thursday, 16 July 2026, as corporate crews competed for the trophy bearing his name at the Fiji Outrigger Business House Regatta. The event, which brings together seasoned paddlers and newcomers, serves as a fundraiser for Fiji’s national teams while celebrating the deep connection between Pacific people and the ocean. According to ABC Pacific, the Captain Johnathan Smith Trophy is a perpetual award presented to the fastest crew at each regatta. In the recent finals, Rolle Associates secured the trophy in Suva with a time of 1:15, while Pernod Visa delivered a swift 1:10 performance in Nadi. The trophy was established with the blessing of Smith’s family to ensure his contributions to traditional voyaging and marine conservation remain visible to future generations. Fiji Outrigger Vice President Tara Chetty told ABC that the event introduces many people to the traditions of Va’a for the first time. Chetty noted that Captain Smith understood the ocean not merely as a workplace, but as a fundamental part of Pacific identity. Smith was a master mariner and environmental advocate who notably captained the traditional voyaging canoe Uto Ni Yalo between 2010 and 2012, a role that helped revitalise ancient navigation traditions across Oceania. Beyond the racing, the Captain Johnathan Smith Foundation remains active in environmental advocacy, specifically raising awareness about the risks posed by abandoned vessels in Suva Harbour. Following his death in August 2021 at the age of 47, Smith was laid to rest at sea by his family. His ongoing influence is reflected in the regatta's ability to foster community and cultural pride through the ancient Pacific tradition of outrigger canoe paddling.