NATIONAL CHAMP: Hei Matau Paddlers representative Ash Roozendaal wins a gold medal at the 2016 Te Wananga o Aotearoa Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Thursday. PHOTOS/GARRICK CAMERON
NATIONAL CHAMP: Hei Matau Paddlers representative Ash Roozendaal wins a gold medal at the 2016 Te Wananga o Aotearoa Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Thursday. PHOTOS/GARRICK CAMERON
If you spent much time at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals near Cambridge this week, chances are you would have heard the haka Te Arawa E.
Te Arawa's traditional haka was performed plenty of times during prize givings at Lake Karapiro this week, as Rotorua paddlers and crews collected ahaul of medals.
Local clubs have already won 20 medals at the national champs, including six gold medals, and that number could still grow with the final day of racing being staged today.
Ruamata, who boast about 200 to 300 paddlers at their club, have collected the most medals of any Rotorua club. Hei Matau Paddlers and Te Au Rere Waka Ama Club have also performed very strongly.
Competition has been especially fierce at nationals this week as the top paddlers are all gearing up for the waka ama sprint world championships in Australia in May.
More than 3000 paddlers representing 65 clubs from throughout the country have taken part at Lake Karapiro.
Clubs have been competing for national honours in one, six and 12-paddler teams over distances of 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m. Age divisions start at midgets (children aged 5 to 10) and go all the way through to the gold masters division (60-plus).
Waka ama sees teams or individuals race in waka, or canoes, which include an ama or outrigger on the left-hand side of the boat, balancing the waka or canoe during racing.
