THE Uawa Hinematioro J16 women’s waka ama team yesterday flew out to Queensland, Australia, for the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championships.
The world outrigger canoe sprint championships are held every two years. This year they are at Lake Kawana, on the Sunshine Coast.
Of the seven-strong squad,only Loma Hill does not go to Tolaga Bay Area School. She lives in Gisborne and goes to Lytton High.
The worlds are the culmination of eight months of training. Tania Hill coaches the paddlers, Toni Hale is manager and James Marino takes care of paddle maintenance. Waka are provided by the hosts.
Uawa Hinematioro qualified for the W6 1000 metre race at the worlds by finishing in the top six at the sprint nationals at Lake Karapiro in January.
