Paddlers do club proud

Photo/File

Although finishing middle of the club points table at the 25th ActivePost National Waka Ama Sprint Championships at Lake Karapiro last week, the Te Ringa Miti Tai Heke Whanganui Waka Ama Club still came away with promising individual results.

The club had seven paddlers who competed in nine individual W1 events, with four of them reaching semifinals and two went into finals.

Anne Kauika won a silver medal for the Senior Master Women's W1 race, while Daniel and Sarah Kauika both qualified for the 250 dash with Daniel securing a bronze medal.

In team events, the Tamareheroto team from the club combined with six members of Aniuwaru ki Porirua to win silver in the W12 event, while also as their own group making the semifinal of the 500m W6.

Club chairman Hone Tamehana was pleased with their efforts as a small club in their fourth year of taking teams to the nationals. They had six teams compared to the likes of Gisborne's powerhouse Horouta club, who had at least two teams in every age group event.

"We are really proud of all our paddlers who have trained hard over the last three months, each team went to nationals with a goal and most teams have exceeded their goals," Mr Tamehana said.

"The great thing about waka ama is that it is a growing sport that all whanau can participate in regardless of your age. One of the most exciting races during the event were the golden master men these paddlers were all over 70 years of age."

In the J19 Men grade, the Kotahi Aroha team included two father and son combinations. They progressed to semifinals in the 500m and 1000m events, and competed in the premier men's W12 with the Senior Master Men's team to the semifinals.

In Premier Women, the Kahui Manawa crew competed in the heats for the 500m, made the semifinals for 1500m, and combined with the masters women's team to make the semifinals of the W12 event. Those masters women, the Awa Gurlz, were in the 1000m heats and made the 500m semifinals.

In senior master men, Matahi crew made the semifinals of both the 500m and 1000m.

In the J16 Women, the Tu Kaha entered the 500m and 1000m in a learning experience as the team only had one experienced paddler, with the other five girls new to paddling in the last three months.