March 18, 2014
Keen interest in waka nationals
Organisers of next week’s national secondary schools waka ama championships are reporting a surge in late interest.
Teams from at least 95 schools will put their paddles in to Rotorua’s Blue Lake, Tikitapu.
Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins says the ActivePost Waka Ama Championships has grown into one of the largest secondary school sports events in the country – second only to the Maadi Cup.
She says for the first time since Christchurch earthquake there will be South Island schools competing.
Schools will compete for national honours in one, six or twelve paddler teams over distances of 250 and 500 metres.
More than 1500 competitors and 2000 spectators are expected to line the shores of the lake.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd