Waka crew defend trip that almost ended in tragedy

The crew of a waka that flipped off the coast of Napier yesterday defended their decision to go out in 3m swells and 20- to 30-knot winds.

Six people - two men and four women - were rescued by coastguard and taken to hospital after their canoe became submerged 600m offshore on Saturday.

Police and coastguard officials were not impressed that the group set out to sea in what they described as "shocking" conditions.

The waka ama's skipper, Trevor Taurima, said the crew discussed the matter yesterday and decided if they were presented with the same conditions again they would not hesitate to train in them.

"As normal, we stopped at the mouth of the river to view the situation and decided to paddle to Napier," Mr Taurima said.

"We were three-quarters of the way there and opposite the clock tower when the wind kicked in and the tide was running quite fast toward Napier," he said.

"Because of the wind and the tide I decided to go on to Napier." Mr Taurima said a wave swamped the waka ama, filling it with water and making progress impossible.

"We have a safety measure in place to do a control tip. The team organised to do the tip but it was still three-quarters full of water when we re-tipped it," he said.

Mr Taurima disputed claims that any of the crew were in danger of drowning. "We were all collected and there was no panic and no fear. We were not novices to the course or the conditions," he said.

They had a mobile phone on board, which they used to call 111 and everyone was wearing a lifejacket.

"In hindsight, I can see what the coastguard were talking about," he said referring to the lack of a support boat travelling with the waka ama.

"I'd like to pay a compliment to the coastguard for professionally rescuing me and my crew," he said.

Napier senior sergeant Andy Sloane said police had yet to make a decision on whether charges would be laid over the incident.

- NZPA