A "phenomenal" growth in the popularity of waka ama will see more than 1500 students from around the country converge on Tikitapu (Blue Lake) from today.
Some 482 teams from 90 schools will take part in the ActivePost National Secondary Schools Waka Ama Championship that runs until Friday.
Rotorua teams will have a strong showing including Te Kura Kaupapa o Ruamata, who last year took out the U19 500m Boys Championship.
John Paul College, Rotorua Boys', Rotorua Girls', Rotorua Lakes and Western Heights high schools and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu will also take part.
Big crowds are expected to watch the action with free entry for anyone who wants to head along.