Record numbers for waka ama nationals

PADDLE: Rotorua waka ama clubs will be in action next week during the 27th annual National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karapiro. PHOTO/FILE

Months of hard work and early morning trainings will be put to the test when Rotorua's top waka ama clubs take part in the 27th annual National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karapiro next week.

Waka ama continues to grow in popularity with a record number of paddlers signing up to compete at the 2016 Te Wananga o Aotearoa National Waka Ama Sprint Championships.

More than 3000 paddlers representing 65 clubs, from throughout the country, are expected to line up in various waka classes, competing in 10 age divisions. The event begins on Monday and finishes next Saturday.

Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said this year's sprint nationals promised to be the biggest and most exciting yet.

"We had record numbers last year and we've broken that record again this year with more than 3000 paddlers signed up to race. We've got crews coming from all over the country from as far north as Kaitaia down to Christchurch.

"There are going to be huge crowds lakeside watching the regatta."

Collins said waka ama had a great culture attached to the sport, with its inclusive nature bringing together paddlers of all ages and ethnicities.

"It's a sport for all sorts of people from all walks of life. This year 2100 of the paddlers are under the age of 19 and 900 of those are aged under 12.

"Waka ama is probably the only sport where grandmothers, grandfathers, mums, dads and their kids can come together to race competitively.

"That's what makes it so special and unique - it's very competitive but the focus is on fun and whanau, too."

At the sprint championships, clubs will compete for national honours in one, six and 12-paddler teams over distances of 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m.

The ama, or outrigger, on the left-hand side balances the waka or canoe, helping it to slice through the water with every stroke.

Last year's winner of the 2015 National Waka Ama Club Points' Trophy for overall performances throughout the regatta was Horouta Waka Hoe from Gisborne. The club will be back in 2016 seeking to defend its title, one they have won four times in the trophy's five-year history.