La O Samoa

Fautasi is a traditional long boat in Samoa that historically was used as a way to travel between islands. Now fautasi boats are used recreationally in racing. The La O Samoa boat is unique. Most boats are manned by the grown men of a village. This boat consists of a group of high school students from Pesega. They wake every day around 5 am, run, lift weights, get in the boat and row for 5 miles, then go to school all day, and after school they repeat the running and rowing. Two years in a row they have finished third in their national competition.