WAKA AMA - Crew set for world champs

Seven paddlers from the Northland region are getting used to paddling in extreme conditions after training all winter for the 2008 World Outrigger Canoe Sprint Championships in August.
The training appears to have paid off however, with the Tai Tokerau under-16 waka ama crew earning some impressive results at recent New Zealand trials, giving them the confidence to complete their preparations for the world championships.
The crew of Jamille Ruka, Kyran Hepi-Wetere, Tumanako Pawa, Herewini Pawa (Whangarei), Tupu King, Kahi Harawira (Kaitaia) and Heremia Taylor (Okaihau) were brought together at the beginning of the year.
They were selected after an intense training and trial session and have been coming together in Opua to train every week, as well as attending monthly training camps.
"They've come together from four clubs around the region specifically for this and that meant a lot of trials and training ever since February," coach Ralph Ruka said.
"They've always been so keen to get on the water, especially when it's cold ... and motivation has never been a problem."
The temperature in Sacramento will mean some readjustment for the crew.
"It's going to be over 40 degrees when we get there so that means we're going to go from one extreme to the other," Ruka said.
The crew leaves on July 28, giving them a week to acclimatise to the heat and get used to the conditions at Lake Natoma, just outside Sacramento.
The team's attitude to training has their coach predicting good results at the Sacramento event but the strength of the field won't be known until they arrive in California.
"The Tahitians are always the big guns at the worlds, so we'll be chasing them, but we're confident of holding our own against the other New Zealand teams after doing well at our national trials."
After months of practice, the team came up against the first of the crews they will compete against in Sacramento in Rotorua.
A second place in the 1000m race earned them a place on the New Zealand team, while the team individually qualified four paddlers in the single person canoe (W1). King, Ruka, Hepi-Wetere and Taylor all impressed their coach by gaining selection.
"We knew Tupu [King] and Jamille [Ruka] would be right up there, but as far as the rest of them went we didn't think they'd be that close so their selection was good news for everyone," Ralph Ruka said.
With a price-tag of over $4000 for each competitor, the group have been working hard to raise money for the trip.
Their coach is happy with their progress, especially because they live in different areas and have been forced to do extra training at home.
"I am very proud of these young men, they have been a pleasure to coach as they are willing to learn, fit and train hard on the water," Ruka said.
Caption: Front to back, Tupu King, Jamille Ruka, Heremia Taylor (obscured), Kyran Hepi-Wetere, Tumanako Pawa (obscured) and Kahi Harawira.