Canoe Polo Hawke's Bay Art Deco Competition a success despite last-minute venue change

Canoe Polo Hawke's Bay held its annual Art Deco Competition at Backpaddock Lakes following the closure of Pandora Pond because of contamination. Photo / Paul Taylor

Canoe Polo Hawke's Bay hosted a successful Art Deco Competition at the weekend despite a last-minute venue change.

The annual event was intended to be held at Pandora Pond, Napier, yesterday and today but was moved to Backpaddock Lakes near Takapau because of contamination at Pandora Pond.

Pandora Pond was closed on Wednesday because of high levels of Enterococci bacteria but reopened again on Thursday after clear test results - only to be closed again on Friday afternoon after further high readings.

Canoe Polo Hawke's Bay chairwoman Kelly Hepburn said the weekend went "amazingly" and Backpaddock Lakes was a perfect location.

"It was fantastic, the owners were really accommodating. Everything was available and nothing was a hassle."

Having to change venues at the last minute was a bit stressful and the organisers and clubs put in extra work to ensure the competition went smoothly, she said.

Canoe Polo Hawke's Bay is in the process of setting up its own venue. If that is not completed by this time next year it will look at holding the tournament at Backpaddock Lakes again, instead of Pandora Pond.

"There's a lot more still water rather than choppy. It's a perfect location.

"It was amazing, the whole weekend."

Mrs Hepburn said she had heard about Backpaddock Lakes but did not know much about it until a friend suggested it as an alternative venue.

More than 800 people, including about 385 competitors from 55 teams, gathered at the location for an action-packed two days.

Canoe polo was played in all weather but the weekend's conditions were perfect, being hot with no wind, she said.