Canoe paddling: Paddlers face world's best

Two Tauranga paddlers have been named in the New Zealand team to contest one of the toughest outrigger canoe races in the world.

Paul Roozendaal and Troy Dolman, who competed for second-placed Auckland-based Team Kingfisher at the nationals due to the Bay not being able to enter a crew, are less than two weeks away from attempting to circumnavigate Tahiti in the 166km "Tahiti Nui Va'a 2013".

"The race is only held every two years," said Roozendaal. "It's very prestigious - in Tahiti paddling is really popular and it's professional over there.

"It's three days of racing around the main island. The first day we cover 70km and then the next day you race 46km and then 50km on the last day."

The long distance race will be a departure for many in Team Aotearoa, who have only competed internationally for their clubs in sprint competition.

"We've never really done any events where you have to back up some distance the day after, which is tough, but we've been training ourselves for it.

"We're going hard, we want to do our best. We know the Tahitians are really good and it's going to be hard to beat them, plus two of the top Hawaiian teams are going there as well."

One of the Hawaiian teams - sponsored by Livestrong with access to a private jet - looms among the favourites, but it was difficult for the New Zealand team to know where it ranks.

"We've had a club team go to Tahiti a few years ago and they were in the top five before falling back. We'll hopefully be aiming for a top five, but it might be a top ten."

The race runs May 23-25.