It was the perfect introduction to what promises to be an amazing week of friendship, learning, kitesurfing and hopefully some close-ups with whales.
There are 28 women kitesurfers joining this year's odyssey. The professional riders - including Professional Kite Rider's Association (PKRA) World Champion Kristin Boese (pictured left with event founder Cindy Mosey and Mounu Island's Pepa Nesi) - will compete for a share of US$20,000 in prizes which is the biggest prize purse ever offered to women in the sport.
When not competing in the three divisions of Boardercross, Freestyle and Racing, the world's leading kitesurfers will be on hand to coach other participants who have gathered in Vava'u from all over the world.
Winds are forecast to pick up to between 15knot and 18 knots on Monday which is ideal conditions for kitesurfing. The contest is therefore being held off until the start of the week, and time will instead be spent discovering the reefs and searching for whales.
DAY TWO
*Whale Watch Vava'u*
For Australia's CJ Jones, it was "the biggest adrenaline rush" while for the Netherlands' Katja Roose, it "completely made" her trip.
What did the girls of the Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey Vava'u get up to today that could possibly result in such massive smiles? We swam with whales...
In the expert hands of licensed operators Whale Watch Vava'u, the 28 participants were divided into two groups and taken out on boats either in the morning or the afternoon. Once a mammal had been spotted, only 5 people were allowed in the water at any time to ensure that the creatures did not become stressed.
It was a truly amazing encounter and it put huge smiles on the faces of everyone.
Winds are forecast to pick up to between 15knot and 18 knots tomorrow, so we will try for the Boardercross competition as well as coaching clinics. Some crazy wind dances have been done on sunset at Mounu Island...so let's see if they work. Stay tuned!