Waka ama is taking the Waikato in waves with record numbers competing in the 26th ActivePost National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karapiro this week.
Almost 3000 paddlers in 61 teams raced for the prestigious national sprint title in their waka ama or outrigger canoes.
Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said this year's instalment of the 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 close to 3000 paddlers signed up to race. We've got crews coming from all over the country and even overseas, with three women's crews from Papua New Guinea coming for the first time to add international flavour alongside some Australian crews."
Collins said waka ama was a sport like no other, 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.
"Last year 1700 of the paddlers were under the age of 19 and 700 of those were aged under 10. 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 - it's very competitive but the focus is on fun and family, too."
New Zealand Post community sponsorship manager Charles Ropitini said waka ama racing was perfect for getting young people to have a go at sports and physical activities.
"Through our ActivePost sponsorships, we're encouraging Kiwis to develop a lifelong love of sports and a passion for living active healthy lifestyles. The secret to increasing participation is to focus at the grassroots and encourage kids of all ages and background to have a go.
"Waka ama is exciting, fun and is readily accessible for all New Zealanders. That makes it a fantastic sporting option for kids to pursue."
Waka ama paddlers race over distances including 500m, 1500m and marathon races of 30-75km. The ama, or outrigger, on the left-hand side balances the waka or canoe, helping it to slice through the water with every stroke.
At the championships, clubs will compete for national honours in one, six and 12-paddler teams over distances of 250m, 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Spectators are also in for added excitement as teams competing in the six-paddler 1000m and 1500m classes have to navigate their way through hairpin turns at the 250m mark.
Waka ama racing has grown in popularity in the past 26 years to become the fastest growing sport in New Zealand. Each year, more than 8000 paddlers from 85 clubs turn out at events throughout the year to race waka ama in a show of strength, endurance, and team work. Many thousands more attend to watch the racing as spectators.
Men's and women's crews will be competing for national honours in the Junior U16, Junior U19, Open, Master and Senior Master divisions.
Last year's winner of the 2014 ActivePost National Waka Ama club points trophy for overall performances throughout the regatta was Horouta Waka Hoe, from Gisborne.
The club was hoping to defend its title this week.