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Results - Little Nippers Race 2007
Over 150 paddlers participated in the Little Nippers Sprint Regatta held on the Whakatane River (Ohinemataroa)
With over 200 spectators and supporters watching throughout the day.
A big shout out to the Turangawaewae Waka Sports whanau for traveling 3 hours to and 3 hours home again to come and support the regatta. By the looks on faces all paddlers enjoyed their day. It was long but it was good. Even better with feedback that all enjoyed themselves and found the event very beneficial.
The day was opened with a karakia from Matua Alfie Hei Hei followed by race briefing. Racing got underway with the J16 Boys 500m sprints. Waka Tane from the Tuatara Waka Ama Club proved to be dominant throughout the day winning both the 500m and 1000m events in a comfortable and smooth style. Hiwaiiki Tu from the Tuatara Waka Ama Club looked to be favourites going into the 500m and 1000m grand finals, but it was Rimaeka from the Turangawaewae club who came through and fought back to take overall honours.
In the intermediate boys sections first timers and the 2006 and 2007 midget Waka Ama National champions, the newly developed Tarawera Stingrays of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club outclassed other competitors to win the 500m and 1000m events. In the girls intermediate sections saw mixed results with Kimiora from Turangawaewae Waka Sports winning the 1000m and Team Patuwai of Tuatara Waka Ama Club winning the 500m.
Some very cute racing was seen in the midget sections and I am sure all parents were proud of their little ones getting out there and racing. Great team work and timing from paddlers saw Te Mata Midget Boys and Te Ahurewa Midget Girls of Turangawaewae Waka Sports claim the W6 500m titles. However, in the 250m events Tarawera Boys and Manukatutahi girls of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club fought hard to claim the Midget Division titles.
It was great to see so many eager participants taking part throughout the day and the full support of whanau. The Little Nipper events were created to provide our Midget and Intermediate paddlers experience paddling in a racing environment. As seen through Aotearoa the Waka Ama Nationals is the only event that caters for our Midget and Intermediate paddlers. Being one of the few regattas I have now organised and directed this has got to be the best one by far and I am truly grateful to all.
On behalf of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club we wish all clubs well at the upcoming Te Puku O Te Ika regional sprints and we will see you all at the 2008 Aotearoa Waka Ama National Championships.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following:
Opa Roozy for the continued coverage and photos of our regattas; Tuatara Waka Ama Club and Rangitaiki Waka Ama Club for providing us with Waka; Underwood and Wilkings, Whakatane Yacht Club; Whakatane New World; Reuben Paraha; the Tarawera Whanau; Ash Halberg and Len Ainsley for organising our waka; Eula Toko and Pete Anderson for help rigging and unrigging waka; Matewai Hiki-Pene for the continued work and support; Noel Wanoa for providing his services while off duty (hehe); and the whanau and friends who travelled from Ngaruawahia (Rangimarie Morgan and Waki Simon's crews, welcome to my world cuzzies and it's just the beginning) he mihi nui kia koutou katoa.
A big shout out to the Turangawaewae Waka Sports whanau for traveling 3 hours to and 3 hours home again to come and support the regatta. By the looks on faces all paddlers enjoyed their day. It was long but it was good. Even better with feedback that all enjoyed themselves and found the event very beneficial.
The day was opened with a karakia from Matua Alfie Hei Hei followed by race briefing. Racing got underway with the J16 Boys 500m sprints. Waka Tane from the Tuatara Waka Ama Club proved to be dominant throughout the day winning both the 500m and 1000m events in a comfortable and smooth style. Hiwaiiki Tu from the Tuatara Waka Ama Club looked to be favourites going into the 500m and 1000m grand finals, but it was Rimaeka from the Turangawaewae club who came through and fought back to take overall honours.
In the intermediate boys sections first timers and the 2006 and 2007 midget Waka Ama National champions, the newly developed Tarawera Stingrays of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club outclassed other competitors to win the 500m and 1000m events. In the girls intermediate sections saw mixed results with Kimiora from Turangawaewae Waka Sports winning the 1000m and Team Patuwai of Tuatara Waka Ama Club winning the 500m.
Some very cute racing was seen in the midget sections and I am sure all parents were proud of their little ones getting out there and racing. Great team work and timing from paddlers saw Te Mata Midget Boys and Te Ahurewa Midget Girls of Turangawaewae Waka Sports claim the W6 500m titles. However, in the 250m events Tarawera Boys and Manukatutahi girls of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club fought hard to claim the Midget Division titles.
It was great to see so many eager participants taking part throughout the day and the full support of whanau. The Little Nipper events were created to provide our Midget and Intermediate paddlers experience paddling in a racing environment. As seen through Aotearoa the Waka Ama Nationals is the only event that caters for our Midget and Intermediate paddlers. Being one of the few regattas I have now organised and directed this has got to be the best one by far and I am truly grateful to all.
On behalf of the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club we wish all clubs well at the upcoming Te Puku O Te Ika regional sprints and we will see you all at the 2008 Aotearoa Waka Ama National Championships.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following:
Opa Roozy for the continued coverage and photos of our regattas; Tuatara Waka Ama Club and Rangitaiki Waka Ama Club for providing us with Waka; Underwood and Wilkings, Whakatane Yacht Club; Whakatane New World; Reuben Paraha; the Tarawera Whanau; Ash Halberg and Len Ainsley for organising our waka; Eula Toko and Pete Anderson for help rigging and unrigging waka; Matewai Hiki-Pene for the continued work and support; Noel Wanoa for providing his services while off duty (hehe); and the whanau and friends who travelled from Ngaruawahia (Rangimarie Morgan and Waki Simon's crews, welcome to my world cuzzies and it's just the beginning) he mihi nui kia koutou katoa.
