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January 23, 2023
Waka ama in Covid recovery phase
Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira
Posted On January 23, 2023
Download AudioLast week’s Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Lake Karapiro experienced a COVID hangover, with numbers down on past years after a two-year hiatus.
Waka Ama NZ chief executive Lara Collin says there were 700 fewer kai hoe than in 2020, the last time the event was held.
She says COVID may have meant people reprioritise their time, and Waka Ama will work with clubs across the country to rebuild participation.
“Waka ama over the last 10 years has more than doubled in participation. We’re up to more than 90 clubs throughout Aotearoa and I’m confident the sport will continue to thrive,” she says.
Highlights of the week include a number of records being set, including Manutea Millon winning the premier men’s 500 metre sprint final in a world record 1 minute and 57 seconds.
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