"Each year, the waka ama fan base keeps growing. What's especially pleasing is how the sport is becoming a popular option in schools for kids from all over the country and the Pacific. This year there are even 23 students travelling from Tahiti (College De Pao Pao) to take part.
"It's wonderfully unique and exciting for spectators too. Blue Lake is usually a serene and tranquil spot, but when the champs descend it turns into a place of energy and excitement with cheers ringing from the lakeside," she said.
Schools will compete for national honours in one, six or 12 paddler teams over distances of 250 and 500m. Teams competing in the six person 500m classes will also have to navigate their way through a hairpin turn at the halfway mark.
New Zealand Post's Community Sponsorship Manager Charles Ropitini said they were thrilled to support a sport that kept growing in popularity.
"In just 14 years we have seen the sport of waka ama racing take New Zealand schools by storm. It's fun, engaging and very community driven. Kiwi kids can't get enough of it and that is why ActivePost is delighted to partner with waka ama New Zealand to grow the Secondary School Championships into the biggest sports event on the school calendar," he said.
