Hill goes the distance at nationals

ANOTHER ON THE WAY: Jarrod Hill powers his way to another medal at the Waka Ama New Zealand Long Distance Nationals in Waitohi-Picton Harbour. Waka Ama NZ picture

WAKA AMA

MAREIKURA Waka Ama Club’s Jarrod Hill dominated the competition at the Waka Ama New Zealand Long Distance Nationals.

The 15-year-old paddler won three gold medals and a silver as he and his teammates paddled 46 kilometres over the two-day competition.

Hill, Mahaki Albrett-Tureia and Raumati Rakuraku of Mareikura teamed up with Tamati Heta, Taonui Henry, Elite Reti and Romaine Reti to create a combined team.

The other paddlers were members of either Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe Club from Kaitaia or Mitamitaga o le Pasefika Va’a-alo Canoe Club from Whangarei.

They are three of the oldest waka ama clubs in the country and the members of the team, Black Broncos, wanted to do something to get the “three clubs to race again”, said Hill.

The Black Broncos won both their junior 16-and-under and junior 19-and-under races, outperforming their older counterparts in what Hill called a “surprise”.

For Hill, the weekend also included personal success. He won the W1 J16 race and was second in the W1 J19 race.

Outperforming the older and stronger competitors at an early age was a promising sign moving forward, he said.

“I see a lot of potential, a lot of my coaches see a lot of potential too . . . especially when I get to 17 or 18. They keep telling me ‘imagine how strong you’ll be’.”

Hill said it was the longest distance he’d ever raced in a competition weekend, and he was worried his exhaustion might sabotage the team.

“After my third race I was feeling pretty tired and drowsy, but as soon as I got in the canoe all my energy came back to me and my arms weren’t that sore.”

After five years of paddling — a third of his life — Hill is keen to keep pushing himself to be better.