Sunny skies at the weekend added extra impact to the spectacle that was the New Zealand waka ama long distance championships, raced along the city sea front. Photo / Murray Robertson
Sunny skies at the weekend added extra impact to the spectacle that was the New Zealand waka ama long distance championships, raced along the city sea front. Photo / Murray Robertson
The New Zealand Waka Ama Long Distance Championships in Gisborne were “fantastic”, Waka Ama NZ chief Executive Lara Collins says.
The event drew thousands to the city beachfront across the three days of racing and finished under sunny skies on Sunday.
“It was one of the best long-distance championships we have ever had,” Collins said.
“We saw great racing, in great conditions, enjoyed by great people, in a great location.
“The new Midway Community Hub was just fabulous as a base for the championships.”
There was a tremendous battle to decide the 24K race in the open women’s six-person division between the Taupō club and Haeata from Napier on Friday, Collins said.
“Taupō won it but the lead changed a couple of times.”
Makoha Poerava (Taupō Waka Ama Club) finished in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 26 seconds while second-place MJs from Haeata Ocean Sports finished in 2 hours 12 minutes and 27 seconds.
Kaiarahi Toa from Horouta Waka Hoe came third, with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 51 seconds.
“Another highlight was the open men’s W6 24K event on Saturday, won by the Manukau club, ahead of Pineula, also from Auckland.
“There was a photo finish for third with Hei Matau from the Bay of Plenty.”
Other Tairawhiti highlights included winning performances from the Mareikura and Horouta juniors and the Horouta Paikea Masters, who won their W6 race on Saturday.
Individually, Kaedyn Thrupp from Horouta did well along with Marnie Toloa, and Mareikura’s Losiane Toupili was another standout.
The New Zealand waka ama long distance championships drew big crowds to the city beach front off Churchill Park and Midway over the weekend to watch the action. Photo / Murray Robertson
Collins said they were thrilled with the public support the championships attracted.
“We had thousands down there, it was excellent.
“A special thanks to all the people from the Tairawhiti community who helped to run it, not just the waka ama clubs, but the likes of the Gisborne Yacht Club and the surf life-saving clubs.
“It’s a big job having 11 safety boats on the water throughout the event, all of them volunteers, helping us run the event safely.
“The local organising committee led by Olliver Smith did a great job, and we could not have done it without them. A big thanks to them all from Waka Ama NZ.”
