Outrigger canoeing: NZ to host world champs

More than 5000 international outrigger canoeists will travel to the heart of the Waikato in March this year to battle it out on the water.

Outrigger canoeing, better known here as Waka Ama, is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world, and its popularity is rapidly spreading here.

"Outrigger canoeing has a massive international following, not only throughout Polynesia but in the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe", said event manager Benjamin Hemi.

"This will be a spectacular event to host and we are eagerly looking forward to it", he said.

Meanwhile, the national Waka Ama championships will showcase New Zealand's best paddlers next week at Lake Karapiro.