To the clubs that travelled from out of town, Ruamata, Heretaunga Ararau, Te Rau Oranga, Nga Hoe Horo, Tarawera Outrigger too much. To the local clubs, Horouta, Mareikura & Midway Surf Club awesome support.

The calm conditions in the morning and the gnarly sea conditions in the afternoon were just want we ordered, providing an optimum morning race and invigorating afternoon race.

Added dramas in the afternoon, Tarawera starting with 5 paddlers and the 6th paddler having to catch a safety boat & join his team a couple of km's out at sea (perhaps a glimpse of a new water change race in the making?) and our Horouta men who never let us down with their ability to keep those on land entertained with their mishaps.

Huge thank you to everyone who helped and to the following who helped in making our hoe successful:
Te Unga Mai Voyaging Trust, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti, Te Poho o Rawiri Marae, The Gisborne District Council, The Waikanae Surf Club, Gisborne Herald, Horouta Waka Hoe club members and helpers
Turanga Health, Ngati Porou Hauora, Sport World, Nga Puna Waihanga, ESP Design, Jennings Jewellers, Ngaru Toa, Maunga Toa, Hangi Pit, BAF Trust, Koru Freights, $2 Shop, Timu ITM, Turanga FM, Classic Hits, Wai & Mani Williams, The N.Z Navy, Gisborne Coast-Guard, Stone Studio, Tomo’s Sports Bar, Bramwells Pharmacy, Sun City Pharmacy, Toi Hou Kura, Nicoll-Blackburn Architects, Gisborne Volunteer’s centre, Tairawhiti Youth Workers council, Toihoukura, Allan Whitley.

We look forward to hosting this hoe again next year with initial planning already in motion.

Check out more race photos on Facebook – 'Horouta Waka Hoe'

Kia ora
Horouta Waka Hoe Club Inc