Scams: Caution advised over link promising live coverage of world waka ama sprint championships

Racing at the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championships, being held in Hilo on the eastern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, starts tomorrow, with a large group of Tairāwhiti paddlers involved.

Waka ama whānau in the region have been advised to take caution when following links online to live coverage of the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championships after a report there is a scam operating.

More than 100 paddlers from three Tairāwhiti waka ama clubs will compete in Hawaii over the course of the championships.

The world championships, being held in Hilo on the eastern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, feature elite, open, junior and master-level races in V1, V6 and V12 categories.

There has been a warning put out on social media regarding a suspect link purportedly offering live coverage of the races.

People accessing a site the Herald has been shown are asked to “create an account” by clicking the link to watch live coverage.

“This is a scam, whānau”, the accompanying Facebook post read.

Those wishing to follow the championships online have been advised to use links provided by the individual clubs’ Facebook pages to ensure users’ safety.

The official opening ceremony of the championships is being held this morning (NZ time) and racing starts tomorrow.