Episode 11 is a tribute and thank you to the people of American Samoa for inviting Skipper Zita Martel on to their longboats in 2023 and 2024.

It is an extraordinary honour to be invited by the longboat (FAUTASI) skippers of American Samoa to be on their longboats or fautasi during their training sessions.

There exists among this select community of fautasi crews and skippers (in the 2 Samoas) a very strong sense of pride in being part of the fautasi team that represents the village on the ocean, and of course, which Village will claim the coveted Champion of the Year.

There’s no monetary value to equal the value of belonging and identity when one steps onto the Sa or the Fautasi of one’s village and lineage. It is a bond that runs through our veins.

Even when there’s fierce rivalry on the ocean every year between fautasi teams…these also become part of the stories and the history of each team…stories that will be told and retold through generations. It is part of an initiation process that young men in the village vie for. And of course adds colour and intrigue to the narrative.

I have been a Skipper of Fautasi for 24 years, and have the honour of meeting, of getting to know and share with the men of Samoa (in American Samoa and Independent Samoa) a deep love of this revered traditional sport.

The following compilation of my time on these beautiful fautasi of American Samoa in 2023 and 2024…is my tribute to all the high chiefs, the Skippers and the fiercely competitive crew of each village who welcomed me on board their (Fautasi) Longboats.

I will always treasure these moments of a love and passion we share for this ancient tradition of Samoa.

#pride of the team, #leadership examples through longboat racing, #becoming a grounded leader, #courage and village pride.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Specs of all Fautasi featured on this video are from "Fautasi Heritage of American Samoa" (2020): by National Marine Sanctuaries American Samoa.