Regatta tunes paddlers for nationals
Hundreds of paddlers representing all ages and abilities made the most of beautiful summer weather at Lake Manuwai on the outskirts of Kerikeri by taking part in a local waka ama regatta on Saturday.
The main goal of the Pre Nationals Regatta organised by Kaihoe O Ngati Rehia Trust was to allow local paddlers to build up for the upcoming national sprint champs at Lake Karapiro next week.
Looking around at the large crowd enjoying themselves in ideal albeit scorching conditions, event spokeswoman Xani Kenney from the Te Tii club said Saturday’s turnout was evidence of the sport’s growing popularity in the North thanks to the emphasis on whanau participating together.
“It’s just getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”
A total of eight clubs were represented at the event including an all women’s team from the Navy in Auckland featuring amongst the 50-strong field entered in w6 racing with 35 races throughout the day completed in midgets, intermediates, open and masters grades over distances ranging from a 250m sprint to 3000m endurance legs.
The field included the likes of Tupu King, one of the Far North’s most successful paddlers, to the young bucks making up the Ngati Rehia w6 midgets team, Tai Kotuku, to those just there to have a go for the first time, have fun and be active.
The Tai Kotuku midgets team is one of nine teams set to represent Ngati Rehia at the nationals. Team coach and steerer Jacqui Apiata Coyne said the paddlers — set to make their nationals debut — hailed from Kaikohe, Matauri Bay, Waitangi and Te Tii with the oldest aged 12 and the youngest 5-6.
■ The Te Wa¯nanga o Aotearoa Waka Ama National Sprint Championships 2019 will be held at Lake Karapiro from next Monday to Saturday, January 14-19.