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AROCA - Ego Free Series - Blessed by our Atua
The AROCA Ego Free (Development) Series and Buoy 2 Buoy Series are two new initiatives created by AROCA. The purpose of these two series is to provide a safe, supportive and friendly environment; for novice, intermediate, J16 paddlers/teams and new steer
AROCA saw a need to provide a separate series for this particular group of paddlers. Its aim is to give paddlers the opportunity to gain race experience, confidence and competency. AROCA believes it is a great way to nurture new paddlers to potential, these paddlers are largely "ego free".
The first race in the AROCA Ego Free (Development) Series was held on a beautiful day on the calm, peaceful waters of the Manukau and hosted by Te Pou Herenga Waka.
The second race was held on a gorgeous day, at Birkenhead Wharf on the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and hosted by Aratika Water Sports.
The third race was hosted by Orakei Water Sports & the AROCA WolfPak (J19 Boys team), again on the Waitemata, but this time against the gorgeous backdrop of Rangitoto on yet another beautiful sunny day, and, the forth and most recent race was hosted last weekend by the Cook Islands Outrigger Canoe association on the Tamaki Estuary. You guessed it, on another warm and glorious day.
I truly believe this series is blessed (by our Atua).
There is certainly something very special and different about this series. It is a reminder to those of us who have been paddling for a 'while' that we were all novices once.
Watching the J16 girls and boys race is very exciting and humbling at the same time. We often talk about whanaungatanga, well this series has that and more. The wairua is tangible and observing others watch 'our babies', the intermediate division paddlers, racing in their W1/'s and W6's I can see the aroha and pride that comes from being a contribution to others. They (the young ones) are so beautiful, they steal our hearts every time.
Don't get me wrong, the competition is fierce, they are more than capable of completing the 3-4Km course. The battle between the Cookies & Te Pou Herenga Waka Intermediate boys on the weekend was a great demonstration of skill and determination.
There were five intermediate teams on the water, but the battle was definitely between the Cookies & Te Pou Herenga Waka. The Cookies boys had the home ground advantage and just pipped Te Pou. Exciting stuff! Lots of Mana at stake in that race.
Another thing that makes this series special the manaakitanga. The experienced junior paddlers demonstrate this everythime they steer for novice teams and go out and support the intermediate W1 paddlers. And the novice W1 paddlers have experienced paddlers paddle beside them (on the water) to encourage and spur them on. I believe the supporters get as much from watching the races as the participants get from racing.
The number of paddlers and teams have steadily been increasing, with up to 22 x W1/2 Juniors, 15 x W6 Junior teams, 10 x W1/2 Intermediate paddlers, 5 x W6 Intermediate teams, 12 x W6 Senior teams and over 30 x W1/W2 senior paddlers now taking part in each race.
The Buoy 2 Buoy series being run by Sugar Te Paa and Taniwha at Lake Pupuke is a series of races on a 3Km course dedicated to the development of AROCA's Intermediate W1 & W2 paddlers. Each race has a special theme to promote fun and enjoyment. I hear the rabbits (AKA experienced paddlers) have to work hard to stay in front!
The AROCA Ego Free (Development) Series and Buoy 2 Buoy Series are definitely have the support of AROCA and the blessing of our Atua, and they are definitely here to stay.
Orakei Water Sports would like to thank Hori Pomana for our karakia, Richard Schuster & Maiti Tamaariki for bringing the support boats and the AROCA J19 men's team 'WolfPak' for all your help. Great effort boys! And good luck with your 2010 Worlds campaign.
The profits from the Orakei regatta have been donated to the OWS members and WolfPak 2010 Worlds Campaign.
Mauri ora,
Donna
The first race in the AROCA Ego Free (Development) Series was held on a beautiful day on the calm, peaceful waters of the Manukau and hosted by Te Pou Herenga Waka.
The second race was held on a gorgeous day, at Birkenhead Wharf on the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and hosted by Aratika Water Sports.
The third race was hosted by Orakei Water Sports & the AROCA WolfPak (J19 Boys team), again on the Waitemata, but this time against the gorgeous backdrop of Rangitoto on yet another beautiful sunny day, and, the forth and most recent race was hosted last weekend by the Cook Islands Outrigger Canoe association on the Tamaki Estuary. You guessed it, on another warm and glorious day.
I truly believe this series is blessed (by our Atua).
There is certainly something very special and different about this series. It is a reminder to those of us who have been paddling for a 'while' that we were all novices once.
Watching the J16 girls and boys race is very exciting and humbling at the same time. We often talk about whanaungatanga, well this series has that and more. The wairua is tangible and observing others watch 'our babies', the intermediate division paddlers, racing in their W1/'s and W6's I can see the aroha and pride that comes from being a contribution to others. They (the young ones) are so beautiful, they steal our hearts every time.
Don't get me wrong, the competition is fierce, they are more than capable of completing the 3-4Km course. The battle between the Cookies & Te Pou Herenga Waka Intermediate boys on the weekend was a great demonstration of skill and determination.
There were five intermediate teams on the water, but the battle was definitely between the Cookies & Te Pou Herenga Waka. The Cookies boys had the home ground advantage and just pipped Te Pou. Exciting stuff! Lots of Mana at stake in that race.
Another thing that makes this series special the manaakitanga. The experienced junior paddlers demonstrate this everythime they steer for novice teams and go out and support the intermediate W1 paddlers. And the novice W1 paddlers have experienced paddlers paddle beside them (on the water) to encourage and spur them on. I believe the supporters get as much from watching the races as the participants get from racing.
The number of paddlers and teams have steadily been increasing, with up to 22 x W1/2 Juniors, 15 x W6 Junior teams, 10 x W1/2 Intermediate paddlers, 5 x W6 Intermediate teams, 12 x W6 Senior teams and over 30 x W1/W2 senior paddlers now taking part in each race.
The Buoy 2 Buoy series being run by Sugar Te Paa and Taniwha at Lake Pupuke is a series of races on a 3Km course dedicated to the development of AROCA's Intermediate W1 & W2 paddlers. Each race has a special theme to promote fun and enjoyment. I hear the rabbits (AKA experienced paddlers) have to work hard to stay in front!
The AROCA Ego Free (Development) Series and Buoy 2 Buoy Series are definitely have the support of AROCA and the blessing of our Atua, and they are definitely here to stay.
Orakei Water Sports would like to thank Hori Pomana for our karakia, Richard Schuster & Maiti Tamaariki for bringing the support boats and the AROCA J19 men's team 'WolfPak' for all your help. Great effort boys! And good luck with your 2010 Worlds campaign.
The profits from the Orakei regatta have been donated to the OWS members and WolfPak 2010 Worlds Campaign.
Mauri ora,
Donna
