World waka ama champions!

More of the same: Just off the water after winning the V6 1500 metres final at the world sprint championships on Lake Kawana on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, in 2016 are the elite women’s crew (from left) Marianna Hodges, Te Whaeoranga Smallman, Sieda Tureia, Kiwi Campbell (also coach), Rose King and (in front) Vesna Radonich. New Zealand junior and open elite crews and club competitors are expected to make another strong showing at this month’s championships in Tahiti.Picture by John Herbert

THE medal flow continued for Gisborne waka paddlers at the Va’a world sprint championships in Australia yesterday.

Fresh from an outstanding performance in the elite world champs, club paddlers took centre stage at the week-long regatta on Sunshine Coast’s Lake Kawana.

Among the medallists yesterday were Horouta and Mareikura crews and paddlers from both clubs competing for other New Zealand clubs.

A Mareikura crew under the coaching of waka ama great Matahi Brightwell, including elite gold medal winners Manea Swann and Tia Akurangi, joined forces with Otaki club paddlers to win gold in the junior 16 women’s V12 500 metres.

Horouta crew Puhia Manawhine were second, 3½ seconds behind.

Mareikura veteran Raipoia Brightwell also tasted gold as a member of the Ruamata club crew Go Aotearoa Bells, who won the master 40 women’s V12 500.

Horouta crew Nga Kopara Toe were third.

Horouta’s Keanu Wainohu-Kemp won gold as a member of the Kaihoe o Ngati Rehia club crew Fat To The Max in the junior 16 men’s V12 500.

Yesterday also featured V1 races where Gisborne is expected to rack up plenty of medals.

Akurangi was particularly impressive in winning her junior 16 women’s V1 500 heat, as did her Mareikura clubmate Gabreill Wainohu.

Akayshia Williams (Mareikura) and Cory Campbell (Horouta) went 1-2 in their junior 19 women’s heat — Williams posting the fastest time.

New Zealand premier champion Marama Elkington (Mareikura) comfortably won her open women’s W1 heat.