HUNDREDS of Gisborne paddlers are in the final stages of training in their preparation for the 26th ActivePost National Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karapiro next week. Waka ama continues to ride a wave of popularity, with a record number of paddlers set to compete at the nationals.

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From January 12 to 17 members of the Horouta Waka Hoe, Mareikura and the Uawa Tiaki Tai - Hinekura clubs, as well as some individuals, will battle it out on Lake Karapiro to take home national titles. Waka ama is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and the only sport where those as young as five and old as 75 compete against each other. 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 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. Men’s and women’s crews will compete for national honours in the junior U16, junior U19, open, masters and senior masters divisions. Winner of the club points trophy for overall performances throughout the regatta last year was Horouta Waka Hoe, from Gisborne. The club will be back to defend its title. Gisborne has historically produced a number of national title winners at the national championships.

Filmed and Edited by
Ben Cowper

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