Nuku and Rimene put in hard yards

Two Wairarapa paddlers are trialling in Auckland this weekend for selection in the New Zealand senior men's Waka Ama team to contest the 2010 world championships in New Caledonia
Joe Nuku and Paddy Rimene have been putting in the "hard yards" in training but while they are hopeful of getting the nod they are also aware of the high calibre of competition they will be against.
"There are some really good paddlers in New Zealand and it's difficult to know how we will measure up," Nuku said yesterday.
Facing Nuku and Rimene - both of whom have been well-known faces on the local rugby scene - will be one-man canoe trials over 300m and 500m and a 300m tractor pull with times being an important factor in the selection process.
"It's a test of technique and strength, you have to be right on your game physically and mentally,"Nuku said.
Meanwhile, some 50 male and female junior Waka Ama paddlers from throughout the lower North Island participated in a training camp at Henley Lake in Masterton last Saturday with selection for
the world championships right
at the top of their priority list as well.
They were provide with tuition in turns, starts and general techniques by some high profile coaches and also had the chance to show off their racing skills as well.