“The reality is we have been training for well over a year. That has to count. Teams will have a good base level of fitness because of the long preparation time, given that the last champs were cancelled.
“Teams were training towards the 2022 sprint nationals. When they were cancelled a lot of teams continued to train, even if they weren't going to the world champs near London.”
Walker said the sprint champs starting at Lake Karapiro tomorrow would be a regatta about fitness and the preparedness of teams.
Horouta had 29 teams going, from midgets through to golden master men and women — 184 paddlers in all.
This year's programme was about 300 heats lighter than the last sprint nationals, in 2021. Some events that normally had heats were straight finals this year.
In single-seat events, not all the entries available through regional trials were taken up. In the past, the best of the unsuccessful paddlers were wait-listed in case any qualifiers pulled out. Apart from the intermediate and J16 grades, that was not the case this year.
“I think we are still feeling the remnants of Covid,” Walker said.
“People got used to not doing anything, and became a bit lethargic. It probably applies to other codes, as well. I hope it's not long-term.”
Of the five Horouta intermediate girls' teams, two were being coached by former J16 women's champion Gaibreill Wainohu, Walker said.
Horouta teams could be racing each other in the final.
World individual sprint champion Maia Campbell was part of a Horouta J16 men's team that was almost a world champs team in its make-up. This was also true of the J19 men's team
In the open women's grade, world sprint champion Akayshia Williams would join experienced paddlers Rose King and the Campbell twins Kodi and Cory in the traditionally strong Kaiarahi Toa crew
A Kaiarahi Toa team will also paddle in the master women's division.
Two open men's teams — No Limits and Woolley Kumaras — would be up against some topline teams.
Walker said the club's longstanding open men's team, Woolley Kumaras, this year had an interesting mixture of youth and experience — Mahaki Albrett-Tureia, Darius Apanui-Nepe, Bruce Campbell, Mairangi Campbell, Grant Donaldson and Anaru Paenga-Morgan. They could spring a surprise.
The two golden master (60 to 69) men's teams entered had worked hard through the winter, and their fitness was impressive, as was that of the three golden master women's teams . . . Mihi Aston had made sure of that.
“We have club teams in 70 events,” Walker said.
“We also have five double-hull combinations where we've paired with teams from other clubs to form regional teams. So that's 75 events we are competing in; the next-highest total of entries by a club is 57 from Te Toki Voyaging Trust from Hamilton.”
Horouta have won the points trophy for 10 of the 11 years it has been contested. Manukau won it in 2013.
Paddlers from New Zealand's first waka ama club, Mareikura, are contesting 24 events, while those from one of the youngest clubs, YMP Waka Ama, are racing in 18.
Mareikura are strong this year in the junior grades and in the masters (40 to 49) and senior masters (50 to 59).
The sprint nationals start with junior team races tomorrow. Wednesday is the big day for singles racing, the senior teams — from J19 up — start on Thursday, and Saturday is finals day.
Nearly 2700 paddlers from 63 clubs — along with 17 corporate teams and several international paddlers from Fiji — will compete at the sprint nationals. Crews will come from as far north as Kaitaia and as far south as Christchurch.
The youngest paddler entered is five and the oldest, 81.
