Paddlers gear up for annual Waka Ama event

Paddlers gear up for annual Waka Ama event

March 2007

One of the Eastern Bay’s most popular water events is being held next month.

The 5th annual Mataatua Waka Regatta is Saturday 14th April on the Whakatane River. Racing starts at 9am from the Whakatane Information Centre.

“The opening ceremony involves Hinemoana Waka the new traditional waka being paddled down the river before racing starts,” says Mataatua Waka Ama Committee spokeswoman Tui Edwards,. “It’ll be great to see everyone down there to launch this awesome event.”

Last year the event attracted a record number of teams (59, with more than 350 paddlers and 1500 spectators) and hopes are high to top that number this year.

“We expect to have teams from all over the region competing - Rotorua, Tauranga, and local clubs,” she says. “The most popular events are the Corporate with a trophy highly competed for and Midget sections. There is also a Hapu Trophy that goes to the Hapu that has entered the most teams, Patuwai have won it for the last two years.

The race course involves 300m sprints in front of the Whakatane Information Centre.

“It’s a wonderfully idyllic scene for both paddlers and spectators,” she says. “The event is popular with experienced and social paddlers who encourage whanau, friends and work colleagues to give waka ama a go.”

The event is a smokefree/auahi kore and alcohol free.

Local clubs are working together to organise the event under the Mataatua Waka Ama Regatta committee. Keith Hahipene is this years regatta coordinator from Waka Ama o Rangitaiki club.

ENDS

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