Gisborne crews show willpower in waka ama champs

Pictured competing on Lake Karapiro is one of the Horouta midget teams, steered by Violet Tuapawa-Crawford. Picture supplied

The 30th Te Wananga o Aotearoa National Waka Ama Sprint Championships have opened with the midgets racing on the first day yesterday. Gisborne waka ama stalwarts Raipoia and Matahi Brightwell were among a select few honoured yesterday for having taken part in every championship since they started in 1990.

Yesterday 643 paddlers under 10 were out on the water, from clubs throughout New Zealand. Today 1983 paddlers under 16 will compete in 51 races. Four clubs from this region have teams competing all week with the championships finishing on Saturday.