Gisborne hotshots out to defend title
Thousands of paddlers from age five to 83 will compete at the 32nd annual National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Kara¯ piro starting tomorrow.
The week-long regatta will have 3480 paddlers entered from 66 clubs – compared to 17 clubs and just 43 teams that contested the inaugural national champs in 1990.
Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said the event was a great opportunity to get together after several waka ama events were cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19.
‘‘2020 was challenging for everyone, so we are really excited to be able to bring our waka ama wha¯ nau together for nationals,’’ Collins said.
The event will also feature 14 corporate teams, with crews from Kaitaia to Christchurch chasing glory in front of an expected total crowd of 10,000 for the week.
‘‘Waka Ama is a sport like no other, with its inclusive nature bringing together paddlers of all ages and backgrounds with their wha¯ nau,’’ Collins said.
‘‘It may be the only sport where grandparents, mums, dads and their kids can come together to race competitively. It’s very competitive but the focus is on fun and wha¯ nau too, especially after the year we have all had.’’
Te Wa¯ nanga o Aotearoa chief executive Te Ururoa Flavell says it’s a privilege to be the principal sponsor of what is expected to be the world’s largest Ma¯ ori gathering in 2021.
‘‘Waka Ama and what it represents, kotahitanga (unity), wha¯ nau ora (wellbeing) whakapakari i te tinana me te wairua (preparation of body and spirit) and ki te hoe (readiness) are themes that resonate strongly with Te Wa¯ nanga o Aotearoa and the Waka Ama community.
‘‘Of course this is a competitive event but whanaungatanga (relationships) is an important part of this event. We at Te Wa¯ nanga o Aotearoa are about building on that kaupapa by focusing on ‘wha¯ nau transformation through education’.’’
Collins said adhering to Covid-19 tikanga (protocols) in Aotearoa has made the regatta possible. All competitors and supporters must use the Covid-19 tracer app to sign in to the event each day, the Ministry of Health ‘Sanitiser Squad’ will be on-site during the week with sanitiser and Covid kaupapa reminders for everyone and all are asked to adhere to the Covid Level 1 protocols of handwashing, signing in with QR codes, turning on bluetooth on the Covid tracer app and staying home if you don’t feel well.
Waka Ama paddlers typically race over distances including 250m, 500m, 1500m and marathon races of 30km-75km. The ama (outrigger), on the left-hand side, stabilises the waka or canoe, helping it to slice through the water with every stroke.
At this national sprint championships, clubs will compete for national honours in single, six and 12-paddler teams over distances of 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m. Spectators will also witness teams competing in the six-paddler 1000m and 1500m classes having to navigate their way through hairpin turns at the 250m mark.
Last year’s winner of the club points trophy for overall performances was Horouta Waka Hoe from Gisborne and they’ll be back seeking a 10th title in the trophy’s history.