In challenging 30kmh winds, she was fourth across the finish line but the first one paddling a rudderless outrigger canoe, known as a V1. The three paddlers ahead of her were each paddling an OC1, a ruddered outrigger canoe.
On the Monday, the V6 “iron” races over 12 kilometres were held. Radonich and her coaching clients featured in three crews racing in different divisions — a master women’s crew who were second, a senior master women’s crew who were third, and an open women’s crew where Radonich was joined by Gisborne paddling mates Kasey Brown and Bec Hoani . . . they finished third.
“We medalled in every race we entered,” said Radonich, who took her waka ama business, International Paddling Coach, online when the Covid-19 pandemic stopped her from travelling to give workshops on paddling technique.
She and her clients developed innovative ways to exchange information.
A smartphone could be used to film a team paddling a lap and Radonich would give feedback.
Some clients attached a phone to their craft, then called her and put their headphones on, and she would coach them while they were paddling.
Most of Radonich’s clients who took part in the Rarotonga event — 23 in total — were from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific, although in November last year at the Cook Islands Canoeing Association National Championships (Vaka Eiva being cancelled because of Covid) Radonich paddled with a team of Canadian clients.
A particular highlight at last week’s Vaka Eiva was the Round Raro Relay for mixed teams on Wednesday (November 29).
It was a 36-kilometre changeover race in which teams of 10 were split between the six-place outrigger canoe and a support boat, which carried four paddlers at a time waiting for their turn to paddle or recovering from a spell in the race boat and preparing for their next stint. Paddlers in transition had to swim between boats, with the aim being to cause as little loss of speed as possible.
Radonich’s team finished second in the open division.
“We called ourselves Team Oceania — five men and five women from Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. Some of them were my coaching clients.”
On Friday, another Round Raro Relay was held, but this time the teams were all-male or all-female, and only nine crew members were allowed.
“It took us about three hours 50 minutes, and I steered for about three and a half hours of it,” Radonich said.
“It was only my second time steering.”
The team she steered finished third in the open women’s division and fifth overall out of 17 teams. The masters team she coached, which included Tairāwhiti paddler Kara Te Whata Maynard, achieved second place in their division of the Round Raro Race.
“To medal and be up with the big guns who have been doing it for years was amazing,” Radonich said.
Ninety percent of her clients at the festival had never done a changeover race before, and most had never paddled together as a team, she said.
“I don’t have set expectations about where I want them to place. I just want them to give their best and enjoy the race. If they get a result, that’s a bonus.
“The highlights are the friendships, bonding, trust and the rewards they get. They’ve all gone home with at least two medals each.”
At the end of the week, the events at the front of her mind were the impending 10th birthday of her son Rawera and the fifth birthday of her daughter Tepiu.
And after that comes the build-up to the Waka Ama New Zealand national sprint championships at Lake Karapiro in January.
