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The Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club hosted a Double-Hull Regatta run in conjunction with the Mataatua Inter Iwi Challenge, where many activities including, Krumping, Soccer, Table Tennis, Touch, Netball, Basketball, Lawn Bowls, Hockey and line dancing took place over three weekends. The Regatta was the last event to take place, followed by a massive prize giving and hakari at Tu Te Ao Marae. All in all the Inter Iwi Challenge was established with the sole purpose of Whanau Participation. Points were collected throughout all the activities to find who was the top Iwi in the Mataatua Rohe.
As Waka Ama is sport where age is no factor, the day provided opportunity for Kaumatua and Mokopuna to combine and paddle together over the 500m course. Perfect Conditions greeted us on the Sunday Morning and due to 'Maori Time', the first race didn't get underway until just after 9am, not bad considering it was supposed to start at 8am. Spot Prizes were given out throughout the day and on this day there was an advantage to be the oldest in the waka. Strong competition came from the two Ngati Awa Ki Pukeko crews where the Rangihika/Harawira whanau got the top time of the day of 1:10:24. The other Ngati Awa Ki Pukeko crew gave our Mataatua whanau a look at some of the rangatahi who represented Aotearoa at the 2008 Waka Ama World Championships in Sacramento this year. Close on their tale however was Whakatohea organised by Thomas Haney, who looked to get better and better as the day progressed and with their efforts saw them gain a third placing overall.
As the day got on the wind picked up and made it difficult for some crews to line up their waka, but also provided a bit of excitement for all those watching from the shore. Only one Nipper crew was entered consisting of midget and intermediate paddlers from the Tarawera Whanau made up of Ngati Awa and Whakatohea paddlers, providing some competition to some Senior Crews. As the day was drawing to an end we saw the first of the water fights, of course it had to be Tarawera Whanau, where the adults teamed up with their tamariki to race.
Many paddlers were novice, but overall a total of 144 paddlers took part on the day with many saying they will be back again, but with more crews and more whanau. As always it's always a pleasure having Opa Roozy at an event to take pictures and videos.
With the Inter Iwi Challenge we hope to make the event grow not only in Waka Ama but in all activities. Put the word out there whanau and I hope to see more of you at the next event.
I would like to acknowledge all the Iwi who participated in the regatta: Ngati Awa Ki Pukeko, Ngati Awa Ki Rangitaiki, Ngati Awa Ki Whakatane, Tuhoe/Ruatahuna, Whakatohea, Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau, Ngati Manawa, Te Whanau a Apanui.
Kia ora
Raanj
Photo Gallery (click to enlarge)