Memorial race: Paddlers overcome tricky tide

Winner of the James Moore Memorial Race on a surfski was Oskar Stielau. Photo/Andrew Warner

The sixth edition of the James Moore-morial race for the Champions Cup from Maketu to Pilot Bay on Saturday saw more than 100 paddlers competing.

James Lance Kiri Moore (aka Bhutty) was a core member of Team Goodyear Outrigger Canoe crew and the New Zealand White Water Rafting team. He passed away in July 2008 off the Mount Maunganui coast.

Saturday's race went smoothly on the downwind leg from Maketu to Mauao but conditions became demanding for the tail-enders as the wind strengthened and the tricky crossing near the 3m statue Tangaroa (god of the sea) at the base of Mauao was particularly hazardous.

"There was a lot of current going out with the wind as well, especially around the statue at the last turn, which made it difficult for everyone," organiser Paul Roozendaal said.

"The frontrunners got through all right, apart from some issues with weed on their rudders."

First home on the surfski was North Shore's Oskar Stielau in 2h 15m 14s.

He rates the event as the best surfski event in the country and conditions were the best he had raced in at the event, despite the tricky end to the course.

"It was perfect conditions all the way from the start into the harbour entrance and then it was kind of flat through the harbour, but around the statue was really messy as the tide was thrashing out there," Stielau said. "Then I had a headwind and crosswind coming back so the last k wasn't much fun, but the rest of it was brilliant. Today's conditions suited people who were good at surfing, as the trick is not to use too much energy but to use the waves."

Roozendaal was pleased to again get nearly 100 competitors taking on the daunting journey from Maketu to Pilot Bay in single and double outrigger canoes, surfskis and stand-up paddleboards.

"It was good to see so many turn up and we are so fortunate to have the support of the Maketu Sea Rescue, who are brilliant. They have a good crew and follow us all the way in two boats and jetskis ... and this year the Tauranga Coast Guard helped out as well."

For Roozendaaal the passing of the years has not diminished the sadness he feels from losing his mate Bhutty.

"We always have our moment while we are out there paddling and I always remember the last time I saw James, which was out on the water there ... it is always moving but it is good to be back out there."