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Download AudioThe head of Waka Ama New Zealand, Lara Collins, says turnout for the sprint nationals shows the sport is getting back to normal after some tough years for whanau.
The week-long regatta at Karapiro drew more than 3000 competitors and 10,000 spectators.
She says the racing was world-class.
“The racing was super-tight and teams and clubs were trying to qualify for sports to compete a the world clubs’ championship in Hawaii in August so there was extra pressure,” Ms Collins says.
Highlights included medals for the previously unheralded Orakei Watersports open men’s team, the continued dominance of Acacia Williams from Gisborne’s Horouto Waka Hoe in the women’s open single races, and an almost three-way dead heat in the men’s open singles.
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