Waka Ama: Paddlers converge on Mangakino

WAKA AMA: The region's best waka ama paddlers will race in Mangakino this weekend - including current national champs Steve Hohepa (left) and Nona Hohepa, who represent the Ruamata Waka Ama Club. PHOTO/FILE

Mangakino will host one of the biggest waka ama events staged in the Bay of Plenty, as local paddlers look to qualify for the national championships.

The Te Puku O Te Ika Regional Sprint Regatta will be held this weekend at Lake Maraetai near Mangakino.

Single paddlers will have the chance to qualify for the national championships in January during the event tomorrow. Almost 300 single paddlers have entered.

Meanwhile, almost 1000 paddlers will compete in the popular six-person team races on Sunday.

Te Puku o Te Ika Outrigger Canoe Association president Wairangi Jones said 20 clubs were entered this year.

"The incentive for teams this weekend is to win the club championship which is hotly contested," he said.

"The bulk of [the W6 teams] will go through to nationals and the goal is to become the champion team in New Zealand."

Te Puku O Te Ika is considered one of the strongest waka ama regions in the country and includes clubs from Rotorua, Taranaki, Waikato, Whakatane and Tauranga.

He said a number of current national champions were expected to race this weekend, including Ruamata Waka Ama Club member Steve Hohepa.

Jones said the regional regatta was an annual event which had been running for about 20 years.

He said this was the first time they had held the event in Mangakino.

Jones said most of the accommodation in Mangakino had been booked out for the event.

He said it was good to be able to support the town and local club.