Sixty Taitokearu paddlers in world sprints in Tahiti Nui
Nearly 60 local athletes are representing various Tai Tokerau clubs among a 550-strong contingent from Aotearoa clubs which are competing in the field of over 2000 paddlers lining up for the World Waka Ama Sprint Championships which began in Tahiti Nui yesterday.
To qualify for the world sprints, teams had to gain top six placings and individuals top four placings in their age divisions at the national sprint championships in January. The eight regional teams have combined under three main clubs: Nga¯ti Re¯hia, Parihaka and Mitamataga, while Tai Tokerau is fielding two junior under 19 teams and three local under 19 women are paddling under two top junior coaches from Tamaki.
Several juniors from Mitamataga are already in Tahiti, racing in the annual Heiva celebrations in the leadup to the world sprints.
W1 paddlers
Aotearoa w1 representatives from Tai Tokerau Clubs (18 reps in total) are as follows.
Men, J16: Tane Heta (also J19 NZ Aito Rep), J19: Toitehutahi Munroe, open: Tupuria King, para men: William Noble and Andrew Priest, master 50s: Tony Munroe, master 60s: David King and Bill Halkyard, and master 70s: Noel Clarke, Charlie Symons, Theo Vale, David McFarlane.
Women. J19: Zane Heta, master 50s: Shelley Hill, master 60s: Liz Tane, Kura Heke and Maria Collier, and master 70s: Sherry Carne.
Teams
Team representatives from Tai Tokerau clubs are as follows.
JUNIORS. Mitamataga Paddle Fly in the junior 19 men (being the former world champions, Nga¯ti Re¯hia Fat Oysters): Ta¯ne Heta, Ruamano Herewini, Kewene Edmonds, Carrell Morunga, Haki Thompson, and Toitehutahi Munroe with coach Steve Roulston
Nga¯ti Rehia Oysters Reloaded, also in the junior 19 men: Julian Wah, Mason Matthews, William Taylor, Jimmy Lawrence, Shannon Hughes and Papahia Te Tai with coach Danny Kaiawe.
Tai Tokerau junior under 19 women paddling for Tamaki Club Te Paerangi team, Tiare Ma¯ori: Zane Heta and Te Arawa Tu¯mai (both Mitimataga) and coach Ma¯ori Tere.
OPEN/ ADULTS. Open men, Nga¯ Hoe Horo: Tupu King (NZ elite squad), Jamille Ruka paddling for Pineula (Mitimataga); Open women, Nga¯ti Re¯hia U19: Nga¯reta Tuiloma paddling for Tamaki club, Te Paerangi, coach Inano Pare.
Para reps, Parihaka club: Wallace Noble in the v1 250 m, 500m, and Andrew Priest in v2 250m and 500m.
MASTER WOMEN, 40s: Parihaka Waitii: Kelly Priest, Liz Nelson-Cassidy, Sharon Thompson, Mary Sissons, Analatu WolfgramMcKay, Carmel Barrett; 50s: Nyree King (paddling for Rotorua’s Ruamata club); 60s: Nga¯ti Re¯hia Wahine Rehutai: Esta Proctor, Caren Fox, Mala Grant, Moira Rauputu, Marlene Nikora, Marinna Millanta-Lowrey and Beverley Murray with coach Corrina Gage, Nga¯ti Re¯hia Tai Tokerau: Tapi Kaiawe, Kura Heke, Liz Tane, Anita Thompson, Maria Collier and Hilda Halkyard-Harawira with manager Colleen Munn and coach Corrina Gage; and, 70s: Sherry Carne (paddling for Aratika-Te Ara Pounamu with several other great female Aotearoa representatives).
MASTER MEN, 40s: Ruka; 50s: Nga¯ti Re¯hia Seniors: Tony Munroe, Daniel Kaiawe, Noel Edwards, David King , Jeff Garrod and Whetu Pakau; 60s: Nga¯ti Re¯hia Terminal Velocity: Tony Carne, William Halkyard, Wallace Poa, Leon Williams, Phillip Ash and Kevin Marevich; 70s, Parihaka Kotuku: Noel Clarke, Charlie Symons, David McFarland, Paora Howe, Howard Hyland and Theo Vale.