Wind bomb halts midgets

NGE 23Jan14 - KARAPIRO CONTENDERS: The Rangaunu j19 girls team in action at the waka ama sprint nationals in Cambridge last week: from left Zane Heta, Fetuao Fa'avae, Kalaia Heta, Nikkita Henare,

Far North paddlers scored a number of top places and also secured unforgettable experiences at the 25th annual waka ama sprint nationals on Lake Karapiro last week.

As per custom, there to take part in the event and also report on the accomplishments of various local paddlers was Tai Tokerau Polynesian Canoe Association (TTPCA) spokesperson Hilda Harawira.

FGor her, the outstanding result was the performances by the Rangaunu girls team also known as Tai Tokerau in finishing 5th overall in the 500m j19 final in 2:13.17s, a time which Hilda noted would have won them a bronze medal in the premier women's division. All six team members also represented Tai Tokerau as individuals in w1 racing with Zane Heta and Nikkita Henare progressing to the semi finals of the j16 division, and Fetuao Fa'avae progressing to the under-19 division final. Heta and Fa'avae also paddled in the mixed w12 race with some of the strongest paddlers of Tai Tokerau and won a second place in a gusty lane 7. Hilda also added thanks on behalf of the Rangaunu girls team to those who bought their raffle for a tai hoe [paddle] fashioned by Conan Herbert; the lucky winner of that being Tanya Nieper HeiHei, a novice from the Ngati Rehia Ae Marika team.

Elsewhere, other outstanding rangatahi hailing from Tai Tokerau at the nationals included the efforts by two young women from Ngati Porou Te Uranga o Te Ra, Cory Campbell j16 and Akaysia Williams who outshone some of the boy champions in their age group (J19), "despite strong headwinds."

Also notable were Ngati Rehia paddlers Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, a gold medallist in j16 mens 500m, and Kingi Herewini, bronze in the j19 medallist; and Tupuria King and Jamille Ruka from Te Pu Ao club who both climbed into the open grade and won gold and silver respectively in the 250m dash, and King also winning gold in the 500m premier division.

As well, Tupu's mother Nyree King took out a gold medal in the senior master women, while father Dave was a silver medallist in a senior men's 1000m race [a large image of the three Kings featured on the back page of Tuesday's Age]. Kura Heke again won gold in the golden master women division, while it now appears young Kaipo Brown from Pukemiro Kura Kaupapa needs his own waka as one of the few paddlers in w1 competition making semi-finals from that notorious lane 7.

In her reflections on last week's event, Hilda noted wind bombs plagued the Lake Karapiro course early on during the 25th anniversary of the national sprints and actually brought the midgets to a halt in their tracks. In an interview on Maori TV, kaumatua and veteran racer Frank Herbert said he was on the way to the starting line where he was nearly blown to Lake Taupo and by the time he had turned around, he was already pretty stuffed before his race.

"Frank Herbert is an old hand at waka ama racing. He commented on the first waka ama nationals in the 90s and continues to race today, despite turning 74 this year," the interviewer reported. Elswhere, Hilda thanked the TTPCA for providing use of regional waka.

"Each year a new 'Mercedes' version of one-man outrigger canoe appears on the horizon from Tahiti with prices ranging from $3500 to $6500. For those who want an edge on other competitors but can't afford a brand new waka, one could choose instead a designer blade from the array of paddle specialists selling their wares."

To wrap up, Hilda paid tribute to Derek Tuiloma of Okaihau on behalf of the TTPCA. Described as an an avid supporter and support boat driver for waka ama regatta, Tuiloma died of cancer and was laid to rest at Motukiore recently.

"We share aroha to his widow Mere and their children, Heremia, Romana and Ngareta and Nana Pani."

UPCOMING EVENTS: The next regatta on the horizon for local paddlers is the Aotearoa Aito at Kohimarama Beach in Auckland in March where the open winner wins a trip to Tahiti, while all entries go in for a draw for a new one-person waka. Also, the national secondary scool waka ama championships are being held on Lake Okareka, Rotorua, in March with over 80 schools expected to attend including several from the Far North.