Local paddlers off to Canada for world champs

Three local paddlers are preparing to represent Tai Tokerau and Aotearoa at the world outrigger canoe sprint championships which begin in Calgary, Canada, this weekend.

Kaitaia retailer Frances Piacun (in the senior masters women division) along with Te Rangi Aniwaniwa teacher and student, Kura Heke (senior women's division) and Year 11 student Merita Hei Hei (J16 division) feature among the 180-strong team of paddlers from New Zealand heading to the major event.

The trio are racing w6 events (e.g. six paddlers per canoe) in crews predominantly comprising paddlers from Auckland, Northland and the Waikato. And all have completed a gruelling training campaign in their build-up off the west Auckland coast and on a lake during the past few months.

For Frances Piacun, a typical Sunday was leaving home in Houhora at 6am to arrive at the coach Dave McFarland's house in Whangarei for a 9am departure - once the three other Northland paddlers hop on board the van - to train for three hours on Lake Pupuke in Takapuna before she undertakes the estimated five hour-plus return trip later that same day.

And in cold, wet and horrible weather to boot, which had become a dreadfully familiar pattern this winter. The conditions on July 29, the last training Frances had before flying to Canada, were more extreme than normal. It was difficult to imagine anyone even considering playing sport that particular day (although they did with girls football, intermediate league and and junior rugby rep games taking place throughout Northland) never mind training on a lake in a narrow canoe totally exposed to the elements.

Frances' team eventually also had to tow an exhausted windsurfer back to shore, and safety after he got caught out in the conditions.

The worlds will likely be raced in far different conditions, being on a reservoir in Northern Hemisphere summer expected to be about 25C and windless. Last week before she left, Kura spoke of the drive and the reason why the girls have been so focused.

"Waka ama's a fast growing national sport, particularly among Maori, because of its healthy benefits and it's alcohol free, drug free, all those things. We just want to be out there for our kids," she said, thanking all the whanau for their help in ensuring she and Merita could make the journey.

The 15th World Va'a (outrigger) Sprint Championships, which are being hosted by the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association (CORA) and the Calgary Canoe Club, on Glenmore Reservoir run from August 11-15.