Waka ama: Students paddling for glory

Tikitapu (Blue Lake) will be the stage for the waka ama stars of the future as Rotorua host this year's post secondary school waka ama nationals.

More than 1500 young paddlers from about 90 schools are set to race for glory at the 12th Active Post Secondary School Waka Ama Nationals tomorrow.

Hosted by Te Waiariki Purea Trust it is the second time the trust has held the event. The trust which helps at-risk rangatahi (youth) through recreational activities is contracted to host the event for the next three years.

The four-day event is the second largest national secondary schools event in New Zealand.

Several Rotorua teams will be representing the city, including Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata, who are the current under-19 500m boys championship.

John Paul College, Rotorua Boys' High School, Rotorua Girls' High School, Rotorua Lakes High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu and Western Heights High School also have teams registered for the event.

Te Waiariki Purea Trust facilitator Bobby Howard said the event helped inspire those who took part in it.

"This level of healthy competition has been encouraging to see amongst our rangatahi of today," Howard said.

"With the increase of teen suicide and substance abuse and crime amongst youth, the environment of this event is an energy-charged atmosphere where you can feel the passion of the sport."

Waka ama chief executive Lara Collins said the event got bigger and bigger every year.

"This event has grown from [the] humble beginnings back in 2002," Collins said.

"I was involved in organising the first Secondary School Nationals and there were half the schools and only about 600 students ...

"There are schools from all over New Zealand taking part this week in what will be an exciting, action packed week of waka ama racing."

Waka ama is one of the fastest growing team sports in secondary schools with more than 5000 registered paddlers and an estimated 10,000 non-registered paddlers throughout the country.

Schools with have the opportunity to race singles or teams of six and 12 over either 250m or 500m. Racing begins tomorrow at 9.30am with the W1 and W12 preliminaries.