Multisporter and talented outrigger paddler Bryce Irving can add another title to his list of achievements after winning the annual Bo Herbert Memorial marathon race.
The Aucklander pipped two local paddlers Steve Roulston and Shane Hohaia in the testing 30km race along the Tutukaka Coastline in blustery wind conditions on Saturday.
Irving finished 11th in the one day individual Coast to Coast race last year, a gruelling event which takes competitors from Kumara on the West Coast to Sumner Beach near Christchurch on the East coast. Competitors bike, run, kayak and run and bike some more.
Out on the ocean water Irving looked at home and during the early stages of the race he and Roulston jostled for the lead.
It was at the southern most point of the race where the field turned round a marker and headed north towards Matapouri that Irving managed to maintain the lead by surfing the waves for a good 15km.
Just over a minute separated the two paddlers at the finish at Matapouri Beach
Roulston had nothing but praise for his fellow paddler. "Bryce is a machine ... he's a real athlete and he was just too fast," Roulston said.
Photo Matt Wakelin
The race, now in its fourth year, commemorates the death of Pawarenga waka ama paddler Bo Herbert who was one of the founding members of the national waka ama scene.
Event organiser, and Bo's son, Conan Herbert said the race was a true test of paddling and while there was a great down wind run the last 10km were as hard as it gets, with a side wind whipping up the waves.
"We want it to be a challenge. Bo always wanted to push himself and challenge himself so this was perfect."
Absent from the race was three time winner Bernie Murch, who was unable to start due to injury. Nyree King was the only single women's waka ama paddler to tackle the course. She finished in just under three and a half hours.
Some paddlers chose to do the race ruddlerless including up and coming under 19 paddler Tupu King.
In the Surfski race it was a beach sprint for line honours between title holder Tim McLaren and Mike Walker. It was McLaren who managed to retain his title by a mere three seconds. Both men collapsed onto the sand immediately after crossing the finish line - much to the amusement of beachgoers.
Dene Simpson took out the women's surfski title, as the only female in the race.
Others in the teams relay competition battled it out with Esther Eves and Henrietta Sakey showing their skills in the rough conditions to take the win.
The race started at Kowharewa Bay and took paddlers south in a head wind towards a turning spot, known by locals as Goaties. Paddlers then enjoyed a good down wind run until about Matapouri where they battled through tough conditions to a turning marker at Whananaki. The race ended at Matapouri.
RESULTS:
Waka Ama OC1 30km:
Bryce Irving Open 2hours.37minutes.27seconds, 1; Steve Roulston Open 2.38.55; Shane Hohaia Open 2.43.34; Joern Scherzer Open 2.45.28; Allan Sullivan Senior Master 2.46.00; Conan Herbert Open 2.46.19; Richard Pehi Master 2.46.37; Troy Dolman Open 2.48.44; Sean Herbert Open 2.49.14; Tonga White Master 2.50.18; Jeff Ah Kuoi Open 2.50.43; Kisione Fonua Open 2.51.34; Jason Eruera Open 2.52.02; Epaapara Poutapu Open 2.54.16; Gareth Wainui Open 2.54.45; Aaron Thomas Master 2.55.50; Kraig Cornwell Master 2.56.47; Clayton Wikaira Master/Rudderless 2.59.03; Paora McGrath Open 3.00.02; Rob Cameron Senior Master 3.00.36; Aaron Kereopa Master 3.02.17; Mike Paki Senior Master 3.02.37; Mike Rogerson Open 3.03.13; Eldon Park Open 3.04.26; Matt Archer Open 3.05.28; Mark Roozendaal Open 3.06.47;John MasseyMaster 3.09.50; Gordon McKay Master 3.10.17; Tupu King Open/Rudderless 3.11.14; Birgit and Nigel OC2 3.13.21; Tana Apiata Open 3.16.35; Aaron Tana Master 3.22.38; Vaun O'Callaghan Master 3.23.32; Nyree King Women 3.29.34; Jamille Ruka Open/Rudderless DNF; Tony Monroe Master DNF; Ralph Ruka Master DNF.
Teams relay 35km:
Esther and Henrietta Women Oc1 Relay 4.07.44; Matty and Scott Men Oc1 Relay 4.09.45; Rod and Simon Surfski Relay 4.13.00; Kristin and Auriole Women Oc1 Relay 4.14.13; Hilda and Kura Rudderless (slightly shortened course) 4.15.38; Pauline and Matia Mixed Oc1 Relay 4.17.35
Surf ski 30km:
Tim McLaren open 2.14.42;Mike Walker open 2.14.45; Tim Grammer Master 2.17.40; Simon McLarin Master 2.23.29; Jeremy Kuggeleijn open 2.23.30; Darryl Forsyth Master 2.26.21; Sean Murphy Master 2.26.39; Peter Dallimore Master 2.28.29; Rob Nicol Master 2.29.56; Paul Wilford Master 2.33.32; Bruce Murphy Master 2.34.06; Tim Eves Master 2.34.30; Andrew Mowlem open 2.34.31; Hamish Pederson open 2.38.08; Greg Jones Master 2.44.17; Dene Simpson Women 2.43.02; Anthony Blyth Master 3.06.09; Lance Roozendaal open DNF.
Thanks to:
Esther and Nick of Schnappa Rock for the delicious Food
Paul and Ali Wilford - Ocean Elements Outrigger and Ski's for Sponsoring Prizemoney and for the wonderful welcome to paddlers
Steinlager for the delicious Beer
Poynter Family for Sponsoring Prizemoney
The Paddling Project for the Spotprizes
Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe Club for the New Orange Race Buoys
Moananui for the Awesome Spot Prizes and for organising help
Ralph Ruka for the Karakia / Blessing our Race Day
Mike Nuku for the last minute Artwork and Printing of the Race Tshirts
Support Boat drivers who did an amazing job in pretty wet and windy conditions:
Mere and Derek Walter and Jay Mike and Bob Steve MacGibbon
Tutukaka Coastguard
The race in 2013 will be the 5th year - we think we are making good improvements each year, and welcome your feedback, please let us know how you think we could improve the race. Tai Paddles- taidesigns@xtra.co.nz