A great weekend was had by all on the Tutukaka Coast on the 21st and 22nd March.
The strong wind and rain during the week cleared for a beautiful day on Saturday. Race Start was at Matapouri Beach at 12pm. Weather conditions were a 15knot North West Wind and 1 metre seas

The Solo Women – Tamsyn and Bernie, some OC2 teams and the relay teams started 20mins before the men and the other 2 OC2 teams. The first stretch of the race headed north into the wind 7kms to Whananaki. After turning the buoy the relay teams made their first changeover back at Matapouri while the solo paddlers enjoyed a straight downwind paddle to Wellingtons Bay.
The 2nd changeover point for the relay teams was at Kowharewa Bay they joined up again with the Solo paddlers for their final changeover at the bottom turn buoy at Wellingtons Bay.
The race finished at Kowharewa Bay – Paul Wilford was first to finish – a good win in the mens surfski – his GPS showed the solo paddlers had travelled 28kms.
He was followed by Rob Nicol and then Rooster in the surfski division
Bernie Murch (Waitakere) managed to hold off the all men and was the first outrigger to cross the line winning Bo’s Memorial Trophy
Finishing 2 minutes behind first OC1 Men was Conan Herbert (Nga Hoe Horo) followed by his Herberts on Tour team-mate Maika Scott, and third was Guy Phillips (Te Awa Haku)

The Relay Course was a real success and we encourage all the paddlers who feel they’re not up to doing the full 28km or if you want to share some fun with a friend to do this race next year.
It was awesome to have all the paddlers from Rarotonga here – thank you all for your support – it was good to have some different faces on the start line

THE DATES FOR NEXT YEAR ARE: Saturday 2oth and Sunday 21st February 2010

Full Results and more Photos are at http://www.taipaddles.co.nz/wp/?page_id=31

Many thanks to: All who competed and supported – Especially the following people:
Paul Wilford - Ocean Elements
Esther and Nick - Schnappa Rock Restaurant
Melissa Bryant - Maui Jim sunglasses
Kjeldsen Family - Moananui
Mitimitaga Ole Pasifika Va’a Alo
Jeroen Jongejans - Dive Tutukaka
Tutukaka Coastguard - Colin and John
Tee, Lesley and Atareta - Vaka Video Productions
Nga Hoe Horo O Pawarenga and Paul Marshall
Danger Clark and Ralph Ruka
Boat Drivers - Shane, Guy, Bob, Dion, Josh & Graham

Kia ora koutou,
Herbert Whanau