Waka Ama riding a wave of popularity   7 Jan 2015

BlacklandPR

Waka Ama riding a wave of popularity

Waka Ama continues to ride a wave of popularity with a record number of paddlers signing up to compete at the 26thActivePost National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karapiro next week.

Crews from 61 clubs will race for the prestigious national sprint title in their Waka Ama, or outrigger canoes. Paddlers from throughout the country and overseas will line up in various waka classes, competing in 10 age divisions at the event from January 12-17.

Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said this year’s instalment of the Sprint Nationals promised to be the biggest and most exciting yet.

“We had record numbers last year and we’ve broken that record again this year with close to 3000 paddlers signed up to race. We’ve got crews coming from all over the country and even overseas, with three women’s crews from Papua New Guinea coming for the first time to add international flavour alongside some Australian crews.

“There are going to be huge crowds lakeside watching the regatta.”

Collins said Waka Ama was a sport like no other, with its inclusive nature bringing together paddlers of all ages and ethnicities.

“It’s a sport for all sorts of people from all walks of life. Last year 1700 of the paddlers were under the age of 19 and 700 of those were aged under 10. Waka Ama is probably the only sport where grandmothers, grandfathers, mums, dads and their kids can come together to race competitively.

“That’s what makes it so special – it’s very competitive but the focus is on fun and family, too.”

New Zealand Post Community Sponsorship Manager Charles Ropitini said Waka Ama racing was perfect for getting young people to have a go at sports and physical activities.

“Through our ActivePost sponsorships, we’re encouraging Kiwis to develop a lifelong love of sports and a passion for living active healthy lifestyles. The secret to increasing participation is to focus at the grassroots and encourage kids of all ages and background to have a go.

“Waka Ama is exciting, fun and is readily accessible for all New Zealanders. That makes it a fantastic sporting option for kids to pursue.

Waka Ama paddlers race over distances including 500m, 1500m and marathon races of 30km-75km. The ama, or outrigger, on the left-hand side balances the waka or canoe, helping it to slice through the water with every stroke.

At the championships, clubs will compete for national honours in one, six and 12-paddler teams over distances of 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m. Spectators are also in for added excitement as teams competing in the six-paddler 1000m and 1500m classes have to navigate their way through hairpin turns at the 250m mark.

Waka Ama racing has grown in popularity in the past 26 years to become the fastest growing sport in New Zealand. Each year, more than 8000 paddlers from 85 clubs turn out at events throughout the year to race Waka Ama in a show of strength, endurance, and team work. Many thousands more attend to watch the racing as spectators.

Men’s and women’s crews will be competing for national honours in the Junior U16, Junior U19, Open, Master and Senior Master divisions.

Last year’s winner of the 2014 ActivePost National Waka Ama club points trophy for overall performances throughout the regatta was Horouta Waka Hoe, from Gisborne. The club will be back in 2015 seeking to defend its title.

The winner of last year’s Ace Cuthers Memorial Club Spirit Trophy, Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe Club, return to Karapiro from Pawarenga with the prestigious trophy that will again be awarded by the volunteers and officials to a club at this year’s event in 2015 that optimises the values of Waka Ama – Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Hauora, Tu Tangata – and the memory of Kiwi Waka Ama legend Ace himself.

Other notable winners from last year’s regatta included:

Tupuria King (Te Puu Ao) – Premier Men’s W1 Champion
Kiwi Campbell (Horouta Waka Hoe) – Premier Women’s W1 Champion
Howard Hyland (Tuatara Waka Ama Club) – Masters 70+ Champion
Vaka Manu (Manukau Outrigger Canoe Club) – Premier Men’s 500m W6 Final
Toorino (Turangawaewae Waka Sports) – Premier Women’s 500m W6 Final
Dog Fish (Te Awa Haku, Christchurch) – Premier Men’s 1500m W6 Final
Mareikura (Mareikura, Gisborne) – Premier Women’s 1500m W6 Final
Marama Elkington (Gisborne) – Premier Women’s W1 250 Dash

ENDS

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