Hikurangi paddler Brent Lynn is on his way to Tahiti for the IVF Va'a World Distance Championships in Tahiti. Photo/Supplied
Hikurangi paddler Brent Lynn is on his way to Tahiti for the IVF Va'a World Distance Championships in Tahiti. Photo/Supplied
Hikurangi's Brent Lynn is blazing a trail for disabled waka ama paddlers after being selected in the national para-waka ama team.
Lynn will be part of a six-person waka, made up from people all over the country, racing 18km in June at the IVF Va'a World Distance Championships in Tahiti.
Despite being relatively fresh to the sport, the Parafed Northland member is up for the challenge.
"I've only been paddling properly since October but first tried it, and liked it, about a year ago," the 33-year-old said.
"I was told not long after I started paddling that there was going to be a para-section at the world championships, so making the New Zealand team has always been a goal."
While the quietly spoken Lynn said he was looking forward to the Tahiti event, it did come with some nervousness.
"I'm looking forward to it but the Tahitians grew up on the water there. Apparently, last time my clubmates went there were 900 paddlers and only something like six safety boats."
Lynn's progression through the ranks comes as Waka Ama NZ put a call out three years ago to find disabled paddlers.
At that time, Lynn's current club, Parihaka, hosted a 'have-a-go' and saw potential in those who attended.
From there, Lynn came out of the woodwork and joined up. However, most clubs in Northland are open to and capable of accepting disabled paddlers.
This won't be Lynn's first time representing New Zealand either - having already reached that milestone in wheelchair basketball, a sport in which wants to represent New Zealand again, and at a junior level in athletics.
Waka ama NZ chief executive Lara Collins said Lynn had worked hard for his place in the team.
To fund his trip, Lynn has started a givealittle page - which can be found here.
