Paddlers aim to qualify

Waka race. File picture

PADDLERS from Tairawhiti will compete in waka ama regional sprint championships at Lake Whakamarino, near Lake Waikaremoana, on Saturday.

The championships — for individual paddlers racing over 250 metres and 500m — will serve as qualifiers for the national championships at Lake Karapiro in January.

There the goal will be qualification for the waka ama world sprint championships on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, in May.

Competition at Lake Whakamarino on Saturday starts at 8am, with junior races in the morning and adult races in the afternoon.

Competitors will be welcomed tomorrow afternoon with a powhiri at Waimako Marae, Tuai, at 4pm.

Weigh-in for the waka will start at 5pm, and the craft will be sprayed for didimo. The weigh-in and spraying will continue on Saturday morning from 6am, with karakia at 7.30am.

The championships are for paddlers from Te Uranga o Te Ra region, which takes in clubs from Opotiki, East Coast, Gisborne, Wairoa and Hawke’s Bay.

Each region has a quota of paddlers who can compete at the national championships as individuals.

Over 200 paddlers ranging in age from 10 to 70-plus are expected to take part in the regional championships this weekend.

Each paddler has two chances to qualify, with times achieved being a key factor.

Te Uranga o Te Ra is a region recognised for the number of national and world waka ama champions among its ranks, and for the quality of its coaches. This is expected to be reflected in the quality of the competition at Lake Whakamarino on Saturday.