January 10, 2026

#hakinakina Travelling the World Through Waka – A 30-Year Journey on the Water

Matthew Tukaki Posted On January 10, 2026

Waka ama has taken Daryl Devereux across oceans, cultures and generations – and it all began with a simple question in an elevator.

Devereux was 40 years old when a stranger turned to him and asked how old he was. By the next morning, he was paddling on a lake. That moment marked the start of what has become a 30-year journey in waka ama – a journey that has seen him paddle across Aotearoa, Australia, Hawai‘i and New York, and earn more than 70 medals along the way.

Now a proud member of the Mangawhai Waka Ama Club, Devereux says the sport has given him far more than competition.

“It has been a fantastic journey,” he says. “No matter where I have been in the world, the sport has always been welcoming.”

One of his most treasured experiences has been paddling in Hawai‘i, where waka ama is deeply connected to culture, ocean and community.

“I’ve formed some magic friendships spanning over ten years,” he says.

“Every morning we’re up at 5.30am checking the surf, deciding where to paddle. We push the canoes out as the sun comes up, paddle for an hour or more, then ride the swells back home.”

Along the way, Devereux has encountered dolphins and orcas, and once rode a wave that carried the crew for nearly three kilometres.

“The sea has given me some real pleasures,” he says. “I’m very lucky to have had that available to me.”

Now 70 years old, Devereux has faced his share of physical challenges, including multiple joint reconstructions and a cardiac stent. But he says waka ama has remained his anchor.

“My message to everyone is to keep checking on your health – it’s your vehicle for life.”

A keen runner in his younger years, Devereux says his body eventually told him it was time for a change.

“After 40, my legs just wouldn’t go much further,” he says. “Waka ama has been my anchor since.”

He credits paddling as a low-impact, lifelong sport that has kept him active and connected – even through injury and rehabilitation.

“I’ve been through rehab six times with my shoulders,” he says. “But the drive to get strong again, to get back in my seat and contribute, is massive.

“The people and the sea have kept me in the sport. I love every part about it.”

As paddlers from across the motu prepare to gather at Lake Karāpiro for the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals, Devereux says the event holds special meaning.

“It’s an opportunity for all generations to come together,” he says.

“I’ve made many friends from all over the country – and the world – through waka ama and Sprint Nationals. It’s easy to lose yourself in waka. It would be hard not to keep coming back.”

The Nationals will run from January 11 to 17, bringing together thousands of paddlers, supporters and whānau.

ACC Deputy Chief Executive Andy Milne says the event is about far more than racing.

“We’re proud to support the kaupapa of Waka Ama – strengthening community resilience and wellbeing through sport and family-focused initiatives,” he says.

Milne says staying connected to whānau is one of the most powerful tools for recovery after injury, and ACC will host a Whānau Zone at the Nationals, alongside staff on site to share information about ACC support and injury prevention.

Community Strength and Balance classes will also run throughout the week, offering whānau the chance to stay active and connected.

ACC data shows Māori are more likely to experience serious injury, yet less likely to access ACC entitlements.