Victory becoming traditional

Rotorua Boys' High School are keeping up a winning tradition when it comes to Hoe Waka.

The senior and junior boys teams won their respective races at yesterday's annual Rotorua Schools' Waka Kopapa Regatta at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake).

The senior boys have won the national regatta six times in the last seven years.

Perfect conditions saw 29 teams from Western Heights High School, Rotorua Boys' High School, Rotorua Girls' High School, Taupo Nui A Tia and Whakatane High School paddle for waka supremacy.

Other regattas have been held at Taupo and Whakatane with the series culminating this weekend with the national title being decided at the Turangawaewae Sports Carnival in Ngaruawahia.

Deputy principal and coach Fred Whata said the school had a winning history and yesterday's wins put them in a good position for Saturday's races.

Most of the senior squad are also accomplished waka ama paddlers with one member Maru Henry representing New Zealand at next week's World Championships in Cambridge.

Koro Rau Green, supporting the Western Heights High School squad, said hoe waka was the traditional boat used by Maori to go eel fishing and travel the Bay of Plenty rivers to visit Whanau.

The original waka were made from Totara trees, with the southern facing side of the tree forming the hull. The other, softer, side would be hollowed out.

* Results:

Senior Boys: Rotorua Boys' High School, 1, Taupo Nui A Tia, 2, Whakatane, 3, Western Heights High School (1), 4, Western Heights High School, 5.

Senior Girls: Whakatane High School (2), 1, Whakatane High School (1), 2, Western Heights High School, 3, Taupo Nui A Tia, 4.

Junior Boys: Rotorua Boys' High School, 1, Whakatane (10), 2, Taupo Nui A Tia, 3, Whakatane (9), 4.

Junior Girls: Whakatane (10), 1 Whakatane (9), 2, Taupo Nui A Tia, 3, Western Heights High School, 4.
* All entries for the College Sports Calendar and College sports stories are welcome and must be at The Daily Post by 1pm each Tuesday in email format.

Email: sport@dailypost.co.nz or phone inquiries to College Sports co-ordinator Kristin Edge on (07) 348-6199 ext 860.