Horouta waka vandalised

Horouta Waka Hoe’s final preparations ahead of the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals next week have been impacted by an act of vandalism that damaged two of their six-person craft at the weekend. Picture supplied

Horouta Waka Hoe members turned up at the Marina on Sunday morning to find two of their six-person W6 FAI craft damaged. One of these is a write-off.

Club chairman Walton Walker said overnight Saturday/Sunday “some idiot rammed one of the craft with their vehicle and it smashed into another alongside it”.

Horouta, like the district’s other waka ama clubs, has been gearing up for the start of the national sprint championships on Lake Karapiro next week.

“We see this as an act of vandalism and it couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Mr Walker said.

“You could see the tyre marks. They did a U-turn and smacked into one waka and damaged the other. One of the craft is a write-off due to damage to the hull.

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“Obviously, we are quite angry and upset about it.”

The incident was reported to the police.

“It further supports our case to have a secure facility built at the Marina to protect our waka.

“The least that could be done, meanwhile, is installing bollards between the Taruheru River ramp and the restaurant building.

“There are too many vehicles driving close to our waka and parking in between them.

“This incident shows just how vulnerable our craft are to anyone driving through there.”

Mr Walker said the damage had affected their training preparations.

“We’ve had to make adjustments to our training times.

Self Storage Gisborne Horouta Waka Hoe has 264 registered paddlers competing at the nationals next week, from midgets right through to 70 years-plus  age categories.

“This is the biggest number the club has ever sent to the national sprints and likely to be the largest-ever single club representation at any nationals in its history,” Mr Walker said.

The club has 20 youth teams (midgets to  junior 19s) and 21 adult teams  (open to golden masters).  Competitors range in age from five to 79.

“This is the first time the club has been represented by men and women in the golden masters 70yrs and older group,” Mr Walker said.

“And for the first time the club will also be represented by an adaptive team made up of eight paddlers.

“I want to reiterate my heartfelt thanks to every paddler racing next week.

“It hasn’t been an easy year. Every obstacle you could imagine has been thrown in front of us but we have emerged, so let’s show the nation what we are made of.”

Horouta will be vying for its 12th top club title at the nationals.