Two talented ocean paddlers, Australian Sam Djodan and Tahitian Kevin Jerusalamy, put on a powerful display of ocean paddling to take the main spoils at the fifth annual Zest Brokers Poor Knights Crossing held at Tutukaka, Northland.
Djodan led from start to finish on his ocean ski at the arrowhead of the 70-strong paddling fleet, showing his class on the 25km course from Tutukaka Harbour to the finish line through the Southern Arch at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve.
He was three minutes clear of the second placed ocean ski competitor, former race champion Simon Longdill of Auckland when he paddled through the stunning natural rock archway.
Jerusalamy, a highly ranked waka ama paddler from Tahiti, was locked in a titanic battle with Kaitaia's Tupuria King from start to finish, and managed to finish less than a minute in front to win the waka ama division.
It was a brave effort from Jerusalamy, who struggled in relatively cold conditions.