Magnificent seven aim oars for Oz
Seven young women are taking no short cuts in their build up to a major international waka ama regatta in Australia later this year.
The Nga¯ Tupu O Tai waka ama youth team includes Tiana Pirini from Pompallier Catholic School, Jahrelle Thomas, Navara Issacs-Hobson, Tiaawai Witana, Manahuia Tahu — all Kaitaia Intermediate School — and Kataraina Hopokingi of Pamapuria School, along with seventh and newest member, Maraea Blair Namana as first/ travelling reserve. They are being put through their paces three days a week on Lake Nga¯tu before the Trans Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta in Queensland in September.
The seven girls claimed third place over the 1.5km distance at the Bay Of Islands Waka Ama Festival in Waitangi earlier this year and return there next month where they will swim, cycle and run the Weet-Bix TRYathlon.
Coach Hune Rapihana said the major children’s triathlon event will go towards the team’s preparation for the Australian regatta. She said that apart from the two newbies in the squad, most of the team have paddled competitively at elite level for the last four years.
Part of the deal for being in the team — which races under the Nga¯ Hoe Horo Waka Ama Club banner — was being able to handle a demanding training regime, which usually starts in October to ensure the paddlers were ready for the annual national sprint championships in Cambridge each January.
“This year the girls wanted to continue training throughout the year and attend as many races during the off season as possible . . . so now we are preparing for this big trans-Tasman race in Australia in September.”
Rapihana said it was a joy to coach a group of young girls so dedicated and committed to the sport.
“The girls have chosen to dedicate the school holidays to training, they love waka ama that much!”
A dedicated waka ama paddler herself — her team won their division of the 10km distance race at the Te Tii event — Rapihana also thanked all the parents for their help ensuring the girls were available for training.