January 15, 2019
Press Release: Monday 14th Jan – National Sprints Day 1 – Karapiro
Press Release Monday 14th Jan – National Sprints Day 1 – Karapiro
FOCUS – KIDS
30th Te Wānanga o Aotearoa National Waka Ama Sprint Championships
The 30th National Sprint Championships opened with crowds of around 1,300 people, all coming together for a Pōwhiri at the western shore of lake Karāpiro, in the Don Rowlands Centre. Karakia were offered, thanks were given, and wero (challenges) were laid in preparation for the coming week of high intensity sprints.
We kicked off, as usual, with the midgies. Today (Monday 14 January 2019) in our first day of competitions, we had 643 paddlers under 10, from clubs throughout New Zealand.
The midgets are the perfect way to start, they are the future of Waka Ama.
People throughout the Waipā district – especially Cambridge – have rolled out a warm welcome, banners are up on the main street, some shops have printed welcome messages and popped them up in the front window, people asking where they can get Waka Ama shirts and merchandise, it’s been an awesome reception.
We are excited to have 1,983 paddlers under 16 tomorrow (Tuesday), competing in 51 races. We hope conditions at lake Karāpiro are as good as they were today.
Day 2 (Tuesday) :
the under 10’s finals 250m
Intermediate (11 to 13) 500m
J16 500m
Results from day 1 and Lane draw for day 2 are available from the following link https://wakaama.co.nz/stories/read/1004962
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