Young Gisborne waka ama crew’s hard work rewarded at sprint nationals

Waka Ama NZ sprint nationals action . . . the gold-medal-winning Manutūke-Epeha crew are, on the left of the photo (front to back, some obscured): Victor Newcomb, Tuterangiharuru Te Kani-Love, Jahkai Maxwell-Broughton, Bronx Morice-Munro, Nicolas Tahiwi and Kiwi Downs-Carswell. On the right (front to back): Kaha Hawkins, Nico Beauchamp, Ngalu Swann-Koloi, Nikorima Ihimaera-Moa, Braxton Morice-Munro and Toa Kemp.

Months of training bore fruit when the YMP intermediate men’s double-hull crew powered to victory in the W12 500m at the Waka Ama NZ sprint nationals at Lake Karāpiro this month.

The gold-medal-winning Manutūke-Epeha crew are Victor Newcomb, Tuterangiharuru Te Kani-Love, Jahkai Maxwell-Broughton, Bronx Morice-Munro, Nicolas Tahiwi, Kiwi Downs-Carswell, Kaha Hawkins, Nico Beauchamp, Ngalu Swann-Koloi, Nikorima Ihimaera-Moa, Braxton Morice-Munro and Toa Kemp.

YMP Waka Ama president David Jones said the club had a strong intermediate-grade men’s squad this year, with many having paddled for the club the year before.

“These young men trained all summer and took a clean sweep of the intermediate men’s division,” Jones said.

“Team Manutūke won the 500m straight and 500m turn races, and team Epeha combined with Manutūke to secure the W12 gold medal.

“This squad collected three of the club’s six gold medals at this year’s nationals and one of the two silver medals.”

Manutūke team member Kaha Hawkins won a silver medal in a close finish to the intermediate men’s W1 500m.

The podium picture shows Manutūke intermediate men's team members with Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. The paddlers are (from left) Nikorima Ihimaera-Moa, Ngalu Swann-Koloi, Victor Newcomb, Bronx Morice-Munro, Kaha Hawkins and Toa Kemp, each with two of their three gold medals.