Tairāwhiti midget teams record fastest time in semi

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Two Tairāwhiti waka ama teams yesterday qualified for finals today at the national sprint championships at Lake Karapiro.

The YMP Waka Ama crew Pipiwhakao recorded the fastest time of the semifinals in the Taitamahine (midget girls, six to 10 years) W6 250 metres. They were to paddle against 12 other crews in the final today.

In the Taitama (midget boys, six to 10yrs) W6 250m, the Horouta Waka Hoe crew Horouta Raiders were third in their semifinal and were to race against 11 other crews in today's final.

Across 21 races, over 450 paddlers under the age of 10 competed at the nationals yesterday.

Today, the intermediate races (11 to 13yrs) were to start proceedings, followed by the J16 division and the finals of the taitamariki (six to 10yrs) races.

Over 2700 paddlers were set to compete today.

Single-seat races will feature on Wednesday, with senior teams starting on Thursday. Saturday is senior finals day.