Dragon boating: No problems with change of codes

Parihaka waka ama paddlers proved they are equally as good at dragon boating.

A team of Northland waka ama paddlers proved they have the ability to successfully cross paddling codes after a impressive performance at the Auckland Anniversary Day Super 10 Regatta in the Viaduct Basin.

Parihaka Dragons, on the right, come back to the wharf in downtown Auckland after a win in the heats.

Most of the paddlers in the two teams - Dragons and Komodos - had just finished their national waka ama campaign so were race fit for the spectacle in downtown Auckland on Monday.

Parihaka paddler Andrew Venmore (second from left), takes in the action from an impressive boat moored in Auckland's viaduct.

Both teams made different finals, with the Dragons in a photo finish, narrowly placing second in the premier event King of the Harbour.

The Komodos also finished second in their final race. There were 36 teams from around the North Island. The boats had ten paddlers each but in other competitions there can be up to 22 paddlers onboard.

Team organiser Matt Kensington said a Parihaka team were the surprise winners last year in their first appearance at the event and so the club had decided to give more paddlers a chance at the alternative sport of dragon boating this time around.

"We were the underdogs last year, with only two of us having done dragon boating before.

"We were all fresh at it but it was again off the back of waka nationals, so we were all fit. We raised a few eyebrows," Kensington said.

"It's bloody good fun and short and sharp."

Kensington said the fundamentals were the same for both sports and allowed the waka paddlers to adapt quickly.

"Timing and blend is critical. As a club, we can all jump in different waka and have a good blend happening."

It certainly didn't take much time for the Dragon team to gel, winning three races out of four.

Each of the teams were provided a sweep, or steerer, but had to provide a drummer, who sat on the bow of the boat.

Debbie Gamble took up the role of drummer for the Komodo team and said bringing the rhythm of drumming into the mix on the water was brilliant.

"It's a privileged position. To be looking into 10 paddlers' determined eyes and feel their strength and power when their paddles connected with the water is a great feeling. To be drumming and calling for such high calibre paddlers was super exciting," Gamble said.

"I'm really proud of their efforts and our club. It was a great day out learning something new with friends."

Gamble said there were a few differences between dragon boating and waka ama.

"You are working in a more confined space in terms of body space, as you share a seat and the paddler in front of you is in much closer proximity to you than in waka ama, which alters your body positioning.

"Balance is critical in this sport and paddling on one side feels very odd."

While there was no dragon boating club in Northland, Kensington was keen to see the sport grow.