In the thick of the competition. Photo / Supplied
Day 3 of the National Secondary Schools Waka Ama Championships was a wet one, but the calm lake conditions were near perfect, with no wind at Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
The rangatahi were buzzing during the W6 (6 person waka) semi-finals yesterday, and today the finals will be held.
A first-time volunteer said "I'll be here every year from now on. What an awesome event."
"The kids are all excited, anxious, proud, and fearless, it's pretty daunting. When I was their age I could barely hold a conversation, let alone paddle my heart out at a National competition."
More than 1950 students from all over New Zealand and even French Polynesia, are competing this week.
As the blue sky breaks through the clouds, our Māori Wardens are getting ready for the last day for National Secondary...
Posted by Rotorua Community Māori Wardens. on Thursday, 28 March 2019
Rotorua schools' top Day 3 results
U16 Girls - W6 500m Bowl Semi 1 / 4 9:09 AM Lane Time
1st Ruia Taitea Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata 6 2:45.61
2nd Whanganui City College Whanganui City College 4 2:53.09
3rd Hukarere Girls' Wahine Toa Hukarere Girls' College 3 2:55.36
U16 Boys - W6 500m Bowl Semi 1 / 3 9:36 AM Lane Time
1st Rotorua Boys' High School - Rotorua Boys' High School 6 2:35.52
2nd Te Wharekura o Maniapoto Te Wharekura o Maniapoto 1 2:36.18
3rd Kotuku Rerenga Tahi Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata 4 2:38.32
U19 Boys - W6 500m Bowl Semi 2 / 3 10:32 AM Lane Time
1st Tuakana Ruamata Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata 4 2:28.64
2nd Motueka High School Motueka High School 2 2:34.12
3rd Te Mana o Kupe - Te Kura Maori o Te Kura Maori o Porirua 5 2:35.14
U16 Boys - W6 500m Plate Semi 3 / 3 11:20 AM Lane Time
1st Raukawa Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua 4 2:33.48
2nd Rotorua Boys' High School - Te Rotorua Boys' High School 5 2:36.04
3rd TKKM o Nga Uri A Maui Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Uri a 3 2:37.99
U19 Girls - W6 500m Plate Semi 1 / 3 11:27 AM Lane Time
1st TKKM o Nga Uri A Maui Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Uri a 6 2:41.41
2nd JPC McKillop John Paul College 4 2:43.35
3rd Te Huinga O Nga Wai Ngaruawahia High School 2 2:44.09
U19 Boys - W6 500m Plate Semi 1 / 3 11:48 AM Lane Time
1st Rosmini College - Prefect No More Rosmini College 4 2:23.02
2nd Ng Marakihau o Tangaroa Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu 2 2:25.58
3rd Taupo-nui-a-Tia Tamatoa Taupo Nui-a-tia College 6 2:26.51
U19 Girls - W6 500m Champ Semi 2 / 3 12:48 PM Lane Time
1st Gisborne Girls Manukura Gisborne Girls High School 4 2:22.88
2nd Te Aokapurangi Rotorua Girls' High School 6 2:27.88
3rd AGGS Gold Auckland Girls Grammar School 5 2:31.50
U19 Boys - W6 500m Champ Semi 1 / 2 1:02 PM Lane Time
1st James Cook - Te Kapunga James Cook High School 2 2:10.44
2nd Rotorua Boys' High School - Rotorua Boys' High School 4 2:12.41
3rd Tuupararaa Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Hoani Waititi 7 2:15.24
U16 Girls - W6 250m Bowl Semi 2 / 3 1:35 PM Lane Time
1st Gisborne Girls Hinekura Gisborne Girls High School 4 1:15.64
2nd Hinewai Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata 6 1:19.12
3rd Taupo-nui-a-Tia Teina Taupo Nui-a-tia College 5 1:20.12
U16 Boys - W6 250m Bowl Semi 1 / 2 1:46 PM Lane Time
Ruatipua (Exhibition) Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho 5 1:08.13
2nd Rotorua Boys' High School - Te Rotorua Boys' High School 9 1:08.86
3rd Matuatonga Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu 6 1:09.93
U16 Boys - W6 250m Plate Semi 1 / 2 2:39 PM Lane Time
1st Whakatane High School Whakatane High School 7 1:03.17
2nd Lakes High Rotorua Lakes High School 8 1:03.31
3rd Ritana Lytton High School 5 1:04.84
U19 Girls - W6 250m Champ Semi 1 / 2 3:38 PM Lane Time
1st Gisborne Girls Manukura Gisborne Girls High School 6 1:01.19
2nd Ritana Hinetu Lytton High School 5 1:03.77
3rd Te Aokapurangi Rotorua Girls' High School 7 1:03.97
U19 Boys - W6 250m Champ Semi 2 / 2 3:56 PM Lane Time
1st Rosmini College - Hold the 90 Rosmini College 3 0:54.69
2nd James Cook - Te Kapunga James Cook High School 8 0:54.89
3rd Rotorua Boys' High School - Rotorua Boys' High School 7 0:56.66