Waka Ama

A roopu of 27 Nga Puna ō Waiōrea Rumaki tauira from Y9 – Y13 competed at this year’s National Secondary School Waka Ama Championship held at Lake Tikitapu – Rotorua, 25th – 29th March.

Waka Ama NZ and Te Waiariki Purea Trust reported a record number of school entries for this year’s event.

• 124 Schools
• 1950 Students

It is very competitive on the water. The hours put in to training come down to minutes to progress through to semis and finals

We entered the following events and categories: W6 250m and W6 500m U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U19 Boys and U16 Girls WT12 250m U19 mixed W1 250m 4 x singles paddlers

We are very pleased with our tauira conduct both on and off the water throughout the week, team work, whakawhanaungatanga, competitive spirit and results.

Three of our singles paddlers progressed to Plate Finals and one to Championship Finals.

Race 049 U16 Boys – W1 250m Plate Final DQ HEEM, Windsor 1:20.44 9th HEEM, Wiremu 1:27.21 Race 048 U16 Girls – W1 250m Plate Final 9th MARSTERS-HEREWINI, DeVhante 1:27.77 Race 058 U19 Boys – W1 250m Championship Final 3rd TAKA-BROWN, Ihaka 1:05.27

To progress and place in top 3 in a Championship Final at this event is a huge achievement.

Congratulations Ihaka Taka-Brown, Bronze Medal U19 Boys W1 250m Championship Final.

Our team placings in finals were:

Race 188 U16 Boys – W6 250m Plate Final 7th Nga Puna O Waiorea 16 Boys 1:04.15 Race 185 U19 Girls – W6 250m Bowl Final 7th Nga Puna O Waiorea 19 Girls 1:13.62 Race 194 U19 Boys – W6 250m Championship Final 8th Nga Puna O Waiorea 19 Boys 0:56.02 Race 202 U19 Boys – W6 500m Plate Final 2nd Nga Puna O Waiorea 19 Boys 2:19.79

A great effort by all teams and congratulations to the U19 Boys team for their 2nd placing in the W6 500m Plate Final receiving a Silver Ribbon.

The coaching, management and support crew would like to thank the following people for their tautoko of this year’s campaign:

Rumaki Athletics Director – Steve Watkinson Director of Sport

Peter McIntyre Rumaki Office Manager

Tracey Watkinson Tumuaki

Pa Chris Waitakere Waka Ama Club Haumatawhiti Marae

Kaumatua and Kuia Western Springs College 

Parent Action Group