New Zealand waka ama championships under way in Gisborne

The New Zealand long-distance waka ama championships turned on quite a spectacle as racing got under way on Friday at Midway Beach. Photo / Murray Robertson

• The New Zealand waka ama long-distance championships began today in Turanganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay.
• Forty-one six-person crews raced at Midway Beach, with Mareikura and Horouta Waka Hoe performing strongly.
• Two more races are scheduled for tomorrow at 9.30am and 12.30pm.

The paddles and craft flew as the New Zealand waka ama long-distance championships got off to a flying start on Turanganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay today.

Despite overcast grey skies, drizzly rain at times and slightly onshore wind conditions the day’s two races were a spectacle at Midway Beach.

“They were perfect conditions really, great for racing,” said Waka Ama NZ chief executive Lara Collins.

“It was pretty flat out there and out on the water, it was spectacular racing in the misty, foggy rain.”

There were 41 six-person crews involved in the second race of the day at 12.30pm.

They charged off the start line, heading west along the city beachfront, 200m offshore.

The midday race featured 41 six-person waka going hard off the start line about 200m offshore, charging in a westward direction along the city beachfront to begin their 24km journey. Photo / Murray Robertson

The event drew a big crowd.

The area around the Midway Community Hub, along past the Kiwa Pools into much of Churchill Park, and across to the beachfront was packed yesterday with vehicles, waka and people.

Collins said the hundreds of visitors here for the event were having a great time.

“They’re really enjoying being in Gisborne, and for some of them it’s the first time they have been here.”

Spectators on shore watch intently as their favoured teams go around the 24km course during the 12.30pm race on Friday. Photo / Murray Robertson

The first day started strongly for the two Gisborne clubs, Mareikura and Horouta Waka Hoe.

In the first race, Mareikura were first and third in the J16 Mixed event and Horouta finished off the Gisborne trifecta, taking second place. The teams were: Waimata 1, Puhi Kauariki 2, Puna Ariki 3.

Mareikura finished first in the non-medal event the Short Course Open Men, with Horouta third.

In the short course open women, again a non-medal event, Horouta won it, ahead of Mareikura.

There will be two further races on the Bay tomorrow at 9.30am and 12.30pm, and two more on Sunday at 8am and 11am.