April 22, 2014
Long haul for waka ama champs
Waka ama went south over the weekend, with more than 250 paddlers from 17 clubs battling it out on Lyttleton Harbour for the 2014 ActivePost Waka Ama Long Distance Championships.
The Herberts on Tour team from Pawarenga travelled the furthest to take out the Open Men’s 26km race for six-paddler crews, ahead of Porirua Canoe and Kayak Club.
In the Open Women’s 26km race, Manu’s and Mates from Haeata Ocean Sports in Napier beat Porirua Canoe & Kayak Club by more than 7 minutes.
The Open Mixed 26km race was won by Gisborne’s Mahi Kotahi – Horouta Waka Hoe.
Clubs competed for national honours in one, two or six paddler crews across seven age groups.
Tupuria King from Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe Club in Pawarenga won the men’s rudderless 15km race, while Mark Creswell from Te Awa Haku in Christchurch saved pride for the locals by winning the 15km ruddered race.
Marianna Hodges from Porirua Canoe & Kayak won the 15km Open Women’s Championship.
Waka Ama NZ chief executive Lara Collins says it’s the first time the event has been held in Christchurch, and its success is testimony to the speed with which the sport is growing.
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