Local kura dominated the two divisions contested at the 3rd ASB Northland Secondary Schools Waka Ama Regatta on Lake Ngatu on Friday, November 22.
A total of 14 teams featuring up to 84 paddlers took part in an event which was partly designed to introduce new students to the aquatic recreation, noted organiser Garth Hutchison from Sport Northland. He added the day went as planned, better in fact; as earlier concerns bad weather would interfere with proceedings were put to rest when the forecast rain and strong northeasters failed to arrive, participants were greeted with near scorching early summer conditions and balmy trade winds.
"What a great day we had! We were blessed from the start with weather nothing like predicted. The mood of the event was one of camaraderie as we were all there to enjoy the water and learn from each other in a safe and fun environment. I am pleased to say we got through the day without a capsize which is a first for the event."
Hutchison noted the races were all contested in good spirit and the places were as follows. Year 7/8: TKKM O Rangiawhia 1, TKKM O Rangiawhia 2, Taipa Area School 3, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa 4, TKO Te Kao (a new school in this event) 5, Taipa 6, Tikipuna High School 7, Aniwaniwa 8; Year 9/10: Aniwaniwa One 1, Dargaville High School One 2, Aniwaniwa Two 3, Taipa AS 4, Dargaville Two 5, Abundant Life School 6. Medals and certificates were to be posted out to the placegetters.
Hutchison thanked everyone involved in the day's success including all the schools that turned up and participated, to the Te Rangi Aniwaniwa kura for the welcome, the Taipa Sailing Club for the use of their support boat, the Rangaunu and Nga Hoe Horo Waka ama clubs for the use of waka, lanes and members' support, the local DOC for making Lake Ngatu a beautiful place to visit and providing clean toilets, Gary Butt for supplying the SUPs (stand up paddleboards) for the students to try out, and also his Sport Northland colleagues for their ongoing support of this event.
"Thanks again everybody and hope to see you again next year," said Hutchison, confirming the event was now a regular fixture on the local sports calendar.
In return, he also received a compliment from one of the schools organising on the day, Missy Edwards of TKKM O Rangiawhia. "Kia ora Garth, thank you for the awesome day, our tamariki thoroughly enjoyed themselves," she said, adding, "A big shout out to Shaun for all his tautoko making sure our tamariki were all equipped with life jackets and overseeing the safety aspect at all times."