Masterton's Paddy takes waka ama to the world

SPRINTER: Paddy Rimene, pictured at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals, has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Elite Sprint Championships.

A "Cameron Crescent boy" is to represent New Zealand in his favourite sport later this year.

Waka ama paddler and coach Paddy Rimene has been selected for the New Zealand Elite Men's Team, heading for the 2016 World Elite Sprint Championships, held on the Sunshine Coast in May.

Rimene is one of 12 paddlers selected for the New Zealand squad, which will be racing against teams from close to 30 nations in team and solo sprints.

This will be the first overseas competition for Rimene, who has represented Wairarapa in a host of national tournaments, including the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karapiro.

Though this isn't his first time on the world stage, having played international rugby in his youth, this outing comes with all new thrills and pressures -- including singles races.

"When you're doing the solo sprints, you can't control anyone or anything else than what you're doing on the water," Rimene said.

"When you're racing or training by yourself, you can't blame anyone else on the team; you have to pick your own faults and fix them.

"It's exciting though -- we're facing the best from every country, so it's a big deal."

Rimene is a son of Masterton: growing up on Cameron Cres, he attended the former East School and Hiona Intermediate, and Makoura College.

While he "wasn't much of an academic", he discovered he had an aptitude for sport at a young age.

At school, he was involved in boxing, tae kwon do, softball and rugby, playing on several representative-level teams.

He later played for Wairarapa Bush, and on an international level with the New Zealand Marist Sevens and New Zealand Heartland Team.

After quitting rugby at 33, he discovered waka ama after his sons became involved.

"I'd never seen it before," Rimene said.

"I went to a meet with a mate, and it didn't spark off any light right away.

"Then, I saw my sons at the national sprints, and I thought, 'this is what I'm doing.'"

Soon afterwards, after training on Henley Lake, Rimene entered his first competition and placed sixth -- despite not knowing how to paddle properly.

"It was trial and error.

"I tried to get people to share their secrets, but there's really no secret recipe -- just time, repetition and an appreciation for the basics.

"You need a lot of patience."

Since then, Rimene has placed highly at competitions such as the Aotearoa ITO open ocean race, the Takapuna Cup, and the Waka Ama NZ Long Distance Nationals.

He qualified for the Elite Men's Team last year after several months of training camps, and looks forward to racing with his fellow paddlers in the 12 and six men races.

Though he has played many sports, Rimene says waka ama is his "favourite by far".

"I can take my wife and kids out on the water, but also race at a national level.

"Anyone can do it -- it's not limited to age and size."