Oparau Rowing Club College team get ready for the New Year's Day races on Kawhia Harbour. Photo / Michael Craig
People around Kawhia love the challenge of race series in traditional whaleboats Rowing teams around Kawhia are preparing for intensely fought whaleboat regattas starting on New Years' Day.
In a rivalry unique in New Zealand, local teams Oparau, Kawhia, and Te Waitere will battle for honours in three regattas.
"It's not the Olympics but it's treated as the Olympics locally," said Oparau
Whaleboat Rowing Club's Steve Shaw. The local veteran was proud of his club's efforts in the last regatta. Oparau took home the Constant Cup, the event's top trophy, despite having just one boat. Te Waitere had two boats, Kawhia three.
Shaw said the regatta helped locals and visitors celebrate the New Year together. "It's a community thing. It gets all the kids and everyone involved."
