Young paddlers power to win

DIGGING DEEP: The W6 crew from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho in Wanganui (from bow to stern) Alexander Haine, Arasi Taputoro-Filo, Carson Mareikura, Pati Leo, Pukaea Naera-Reweti, Te Kopae Taputoro-Filo, won the 250m bowl final at the nationals in Rotorua.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A YOUNG Wanganui crew showed they were on the rise when claiming the Under-16 Boys W6 250m Bowl Final at the ActivePost National Secondary School Waka Ama Championships in Rotorua last week.

The six-paddler Te Hononga Kura crew from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho in Wanganui cut out the sprint in 1m 4.97s to beat Tawa College (1m 5.54s) and Tauranga Boys' College (1m 6.16s). Earlier in the meeting the boys had finished back in the field in the W6 Under-16 Boys 500m event.

Ian Filo, who coaches the team with wife Seletar, said both their boys and girls Under-16 crews were emerging talents poised to make their mark on the national stage next season.

"The school has competed at this regatta for the past three years and crews have been improving with each season," Ian Filo said yesterday.

"Both our boys and girls crews have another year in this age group and are developing quickly. They have the chance to improve yet again next season. Our girls didn't medal this year, but they did make some championship semifinals."

Waka Ama racing is enjoying a surge in popularity with 95 schools competing at the secondary championships.

Rotorua's Blue Lake transformed into a sea of colour and noise as New Zealand's top secondary school Waka Ama paddlers battled it out for national honours. More than 1450 paddlers took to the water as 1000 avid spectators cheered their every stroke.

Wanganui was also represented by crews from Wanganui High School and Turakina Maori Girls' College.

Daniel Kauika, paddling for WHS, produced the best individual performance winning gold in the Under-19 250m boys event.