Bernd Sommer of Okere Falls took out the race ahead of local Daniel Kereopa who came a close second, 3rd was Aotearoa Aito SUP race winner Jeremy Stephenson. Annabel Anderson was the only women to enter she finished 11th overall.

The wind picked up over the morning, the novice and junior race paddled with a full tide, very close finishes made a hard job for the timekeepers, Great to see so many new paddlers competing, 6 teams from Nga Tai Whakarongo entered in the 7km!! Ka Pai!

The Spartans from Tamaki and Horouta Jnr Mens were slightly ahead of the pack, taking out 1st and 2nd in the Junior mens race.
Whaingaroa Beach boys – Open Mixed W6 – 2nd year in a row
Ti Toki Namaka -Open Womens W6 Champ
Team Paddle Up -Master Womens W6 Champ

Manawa Kaha Master womens team held the lead throughout the race till 2km from the end, where they were passed on a turn buoy by eventual winners Team Paddle Up captained by Nyree King.

Team Paddle Up from Nga Hoe Horo were awarded the Chrissy Herbert Memorial Trophy for the first womens team to cross the line.

Tyrin Thomas took out the Open Men W1, followed close behind by Martin Helleur and Shannon Moon. Last years Master Mens Champ Arno Theijssen paddled in 2nd in the masters a few minutes behind the winner.

The Mens W6 start had a bit of a wait while a late crew got to the start line, a strong outgoing tide made the first turn buoy interesting. Team Goodyear led from start to finish, and held off a late charge from Team Pineula. Lots of mens team got to compete in a “Paddle – Run –Paddle” as the sandbanks around the harbour started to become exposed! Team Phoenix came in third overall and first in the masters. Up and coming junior paddlers in Wolfpak had a good race coming in just 12 seconds behind Phoenix.

The prizegiving and Kai was held at Whaingaroa Ki te Whenua, Kawharu Greensil a grandchild of Eva Rickard carved two Taonga to be presented to the Open Mens W6 and for the Open Womens W1.
Guest presenters Paddling Champion Tyrin Thomas and Olympic Chef de Mission and local Raglander Dave Currie presented all our winners and placegetters with prizes.

Nga Tai Whakarongo and Whaingaroa Whanau Hoe Waka thank all paddlers who came to tautoko our annual race. We are grateful to the teams and clubs that travel every year to tautoko - Mitimitaga, Pakuranga, Akarana and Taniwha

We hope you all enjoyed a good day of racing, whakawhanaungatanga and fun


Nga Mihi Nui kia koutou
See you next year!


Thank you to our supporters and sponsors
Matapihi – Flaxen Flower Arrangement
Lime
Whaingaroa Physiotherapy
Sport Waikato
Flaxen
Kanuka
Gwyn Brodie Kete
DVS Shoes
Blacksand Cafe
Organic Burger Shack
Bike to Bay
Surfers Skin Sunscreen
Von Zipper Eyewear
C4 Paddleboards
Volcom
Kiwi FM
Naish
Tony Sly Pottery
Mill Street Pak N Save
Whanau Coffin
Maori Womens Welfare League
Simon Bond
He Oranga Poutama
Te Kawau Maro o Maniapoto
Maniapoto Maori Trust Board
Auahi Kore
Whaingaroa Ki Te Whenua and Tex Rickard
Kawharu Greensill
John Herbert
Dave Brown and Kelvyn Tinsley
Roydon Hartstone
Raglan Yacht Club - Simon
Raglan Coastguard – Viv
Sean and Michael
Herbert Whanau
NTW Support Boat and Crew