First-time Wairarapa paddlers won bronze at the 2009 National Waka Ama Sprint Championships at Lake Karipiro yesterday. Wairarapa Nui Tonu Waka Ama Club coach Joe Nuku said from the lakeside yesterday there was barely a second between the first place-getters in the U16 finals and the third-placed Bush Boys team fromWairarapa with each event of the day fought out beneath a sun almost as blistering as the racers' times. He said the U19 men's team, Ngati Bush, finished seventh in their finals yesterday and the foundation Wairarapa U16 girls team, the Bushettes, made the finals being held today. "The finish for the U16 boys was as tight as and the times here are just incredible. I mean crews in that grade have been paddling 500m in under two minutes and that's fast mate, real fast." Mr Nuku said the Wairarapa teams have easily exceeded expectations for teams of paddlers competing at national level for the first time under a Wairarapa flag. "They have all made me proud and the supporters have also been outstanding. It's the first time a Wairarapa club has competed and coming home with a medal first time out does not usually happen." He said the U19 men's team are to move up a division and compete "for the experience" in the under 23-year-old grade at the champs and so far no Wairarapa paddlers have suffered injuries or ill-health. "We have been getting well refuelled and rehydrated and the paddlers are really enjoying themselves," he said. "We want to bring back something positive for our community to show that this is a positive vehicle for our youth that gives them pride, ability, confidence and a strong team ethic." Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa Inc president Lara Collins says about 3000 competitors aged from 7 to 70 are chasing the prestigious titles on offer this week at Lake Karipiro, where the national champs are held annually. Juniors, aged 7 to 19, raced on Tuesday, with semi-finals and finals being held yesterday. The single racing takes place today, and adult teams compete tomorrow and Saturday, she said. Mr Nuku said the sport in Wairarapa is now undergoing a surge in popularity, with the number of members rising from 10 to about 40 since the regional club was founded in 2006.
