The 3rd New Zealand Secondary Schools waka ama sprint nationals was held at Orakei Basin. <br>Story by Steven Harris
The outstanding performance came from the Lytton High School Division 1 Girls team (Maia), from Gisborne.(Maia),anchored by Emma Pere, whom also took out the under 16 girls OC1 250 metre title in the single canoe form proved to be the outstanding crew taking out back to back titles in 250 metres, a title which they retained from 2003,but also turning the tables on the previous years winners Gisborne Girls in the 500 metres.
Gisborne Girls High ensured, not all was lost, by teaming up with Gisborne Boys High to take out the Division 1 mixed titles in the 250 and 500 metres. Gisborne Boys High took out the 250 metres in a closely fought final, keeping out James Cook High School from Auckland.
Mangu Kemp from Gisborne Boys High and Danielle Destounis from Gisborne Girls High took out respective titles in the under 19 OC1 250 metre boys and girls divisions. Kemp looked in a league of his own taking out the 250 metre race, keeping Chase Herbert from Broadwood Area School at bay. The same could not be said in the under 19 OC1 250 metre girls race. Destounis had to work hard right to the end to keep fellow Gisborne Girls High teammate Louise Wharehinga out.
The race of the weekend was in the under 16 boys OC1 final with Jensen Wilkie from Gisborne Boys High, just holding out a fast finishing, and unlucky Sean Herbert from Broadwood Area School. Both paddlers looked to cross the line at the same time, with result being decided by the adjudicating course spotters.
In the glamour race of the the secondary schools waka ama sprint nationals, the Division 1 Boys 500 metre final, Rutherford College caused the big upset of the regatta by taking out the final from last years champion James Cook High.
With a relatively young group of promising paddlers, apart from the former under 16 national silver medallists Tukatahi Happy. The experienced paddler provided valuable experience in the no 1 seat, complimenting some of the less experienced paddlers like, Ngawati Apanui 15, who has been paddling less than 6 months, along with Tehei Tetohu, a 13 year old who steered in the final. This again, exemplified the youthfulness of the Rutherford College team.
Jean Tetohu who took time out to coach the Rutherford combination would have been extremely pleased with his young charges, given the limited preparation. James Cook High looked to have the upper hand going into the turn with 3-4 second lead, but an outstanding turn, and a big finish over the last 50 metres saw the Rutherford combination home.
