The day began with a crisp frosty morning illuminating into a warm sunny day for the 10am race start at Lake Pupuke.

Ten future Waka Ama paddlers took to the start line with a flotsam of supporting waka.

The two Cook Island girl paddlers shot out of the starting blocks and continued their battle around the 3km course for Club bragging rights.

Storme Pare was the final victor in a pacing time of 16.48.95mins narrowly beating Tshei Karauna who came in at 16.49.99 mins.

In third place was our first male paddler, Haimona Kingi from Te Paerangi (19.29.48mins), followed by his fellow team mates OC2 paddlers, Mason Matthews & Kayden Kingi.

Easter temptations were shared alongside happy weary faces.,,watch the space for Race#2.

A big thanks to the Taniwha ladies for coordinating the day
Other results were:

NAME CLUB Race#1 Points
Storme Pare Cookies 16.48.95 10
Tshei Karauna Cookies 16.49.99 9
Haimona Kingi Te Paerangi 19.29.48 8
Mason Mathews & Kayden Kingi Te Paerangi 20.11.82 7
Sally Motu Aratika 20.14.93 7
Daryon Strickland Te Paerangi 20.16.56 6
Renee Mitchell Tamaki 20.33.74 5
Metua Ewart Aratika 21.29.30 4
KD Wiparata Te Paerangi 25.01.26 3