Race to track path of explorer

An endurance waka ama event in Rotorua today will follow the journey of Te Arawa explorer Ihenga.

The Great Lakes Race 2013 will trace the journey taken by the Maori explorer who discovered lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua.

The Ruamata Waka Ama Club is hosting the event for the third consecutive year, with the first race starting at Ngongotaha Reserve at 9.30am.

The endurance race involves women's, men's and mixed teams paddling 30km across lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti via the Ohau Chanel.

Race director Wairangi Jones said up to 20 waka were entered this year.

"The reason we are running the race is because it is a test of endurance and, secondly, we use it to follow the pathway of Ihenga and to retrace the journey he made when he was [discovering] Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti."

Jones said only experienced paddlers entered the event each year.

It was a hard race and paddlers could face tough winds and rough waters during the event.

"By the end of the race the paddlers are spent," Jones said.

The race finishes at Hinehopu Reserve on Lake Rotoiti.

Some of the six-person teams will use the race as preparation for another well-known event, Vaka Eiva, being held in Rarotonga at the end of the month.