The winning Te Au Rere Waka Ama's junior-16 team, from front Jada Beckham, Kyra Mita, Rauoriwa Pou Poasa, Kiri Tepania, Latisha Winiata (Captain) and Te Mihiroa Tangira. PHOTO/ GARRICK CAMERON
The winning Te Au Rere Waka Ama's junior-16 team, from front Jada Beckham, Kyra Mita, Rauoriwa Pou Poasa, Kiri Tepania, Latisha Winiata (Captain) and Te Mihiroa Tangira. PHOTO/ GARRICK CAMERON
Te Au Rere Waka Ama club's junior crew reigned supreme at the recent Waka Ama Sprint Nationals.
The Rotorua club was one of several local contenders to compete at the annual six-day championship on Lake Karapiro, near Cambridge, which finished on Saturday.
The six-member Te Au Rere Waka Ama's junior-16 crew of Jada Beckham, Kyra Mita, Rauoriwa Pou Poasa, Kiri Tepania, Te Mihiroa Tangira and captain Latisha Winiata raced to double gold.
The girls powered through in the J16 women W6 500m with a winning time of 2m 14.99s to beat Horouta Waka Hoe Club (2m 15.64s) and Cook Island Outriggers Association (2m 16.68s). Fellow local club Hei Matau Paddlers finished fourth (2m 20.82s).
And the young team then stormed to their second gold in the J16 women W6 1000m with a time of 5m 43.15s, beating Otaki Waka Hoe in second and Hei Matau in third.
The Hei Matau Paddlers (Wairere) junior-16 bronze medal team from left Khobi Paretoa, Ruthy Rika, Ti'an Paretoa, Marewa Hudson, Maringi James and Makayla Timoti. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
Latisha, a student at Rotorua Lakes High who only took up the sport a year ago, said she was overwhelmed with her side's performance.
"It was unbelievable. All those hard mornings of training in build up really paid off," she said. "I'm really proud because both races were very tough. In the 500m it was a closer race but we got the win because just kept giving it our all.
"Then over 1000m our turns were really on point, doing so well at them pushed us to the front."
Latisha, 15, said a "strong support system" including coaching from Tui McCaull and recent input from Hamilton-based coach Ted Sweet had paid off.
"We're a very young team and we couldn't have done it without everything put in from all the coaches and family backing. I mean I only took the sport up a year ago but I loved it straight away and that's because of the club spirit we have here."
McCaull said the crew's success was made all the more special in races usually dominated by strong Gisborne outfits.
From left, Kiri Tepania, Rauoriwa Pou Poasa, Kyra Mita, Jada Beckham, Latisha Winiata (Captain) and Te Mihiroa Tangira. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
"To my knowledge we haven't won these races before. This junior division is one of the toughest there is with 55 teams battling for top spot. We had targeted a podium finish but to end up with two golds is incredible.
"I can't single anyone out because all of the team were stars on the day. Watching them in the turns 1000m race was amazing. You would expect them to slack off on the straight after those tough turns but they didn't at all."
About 3300 paddlers ranging in age from 5 to 78 competed at the biggest Waka Ama Sprint Nationals to date.
Both Rotorua junior-16 teams will now have a break from the water but are targeting qualification at next year's Waka Ama Sprint Nationals for the 2018 World Distance Championships in Tahiti at under-19 level.
Hei Matau Paddlers coach Kelly Korau said: "We are stoked with how Rotorua teams are performing right now. And in the water we may be rivals but on land we are all about supporting each other. It's looking very good for the future and we are looking to make it to Tahiti."
Latisha added: "It's a big challenge because we would be competing against older athletes but this team can go really far and I know we'll have a great future if we keep working and training hard."
All Rotorua and full results from the 2017 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals here:
