Soaring temperatures set a summery scene at Lake Karapiro yesterday at the 26th annual waka ama sprint nationals.
The temperature pushed to about 24C as competitors took to the water. The lake was also inviting for spectators, and many jumped in to cool down.
The Herald was lakeside for racing action, including the 12-person midget men 250m final, in which Horouta Haututu came second - to fellow Gisborne team Mareikura Mixed - and thrust their oars to the sky in joy at the result.
Earlier in the week, the Horouta Waka Hoe Club wished all its waka ama teams good luck.
"Gold medals aren't really made of gold, or silver or bronze. They're made of sweat, determination and a hard-to-find alloy called guts. Go hard Horouta," it wrote on Facebook.
