All Stories
An appropriate phrase by photographer Ken Honeyman when he titled this photo taken prior to first race of the day, " Who's in Who's space? Our support boats witnessed 6 dolphins swimming around in the shallows of Narrowneck with w1 men paddling around to get close to these beautiful taonga of the sea. Maioha Ladies from Akarana(1.14.02) set the day going with a good win after an entangled start followed by mixed crew Tamaki Pure (1.14.46), then next womens crew Taniwha Wahinez(1.15.26) taking honours in the Master category.
Our out of town guests Stephen Roulston from Miti(56.02) and Richard Pehi from Parihaka(56.19) were the first two men across the line in the W1 / W2 mens event. Third cross the line was Manukaus Mark Malaki Williams(56.22) paddling rudderless with Master paddlers Tonga White(56.49) followed closely by Jason Eruera(57.01) breathing closely down his neck. These prementioned 5 paddlers had 47 seconds separating each other. James and Pat(58.59) were the first W2 to cross the line followed by The Reaburns(59.22) and a special mention to the four juniors from Te Aurere Club in Rotorua (Cheryl & Justice + Da Boys)who raced W2's in both the mens and womens events. Taniwha's Bunny Palmer sporting his new waka took out the Senior Master category (1.01.50) with Dave McFarland (1.07.00)and Rod Evans (1.08.20) finishing in second and third spots.
Three junior crews from the Kuki's and Waitakere (Tamatoa, Ytak Juniors & Mini Manukau)were in the top four positions with a senior crew of the dads from Waitakere forming an approriately named crew, "The Dads" finished in third position. Two crews independently in the same spot flipped trying to turn North Head buoy (Kukis White & Taniwha Tigers) giving the safety boat driver a point of difference to the day.
Team APNZ 2 from Akarana won the mens 15k (1.01.23) to fellow stalwart team Vaka Manu Red (1.02.56) then crossing the line in third place with a new name but familiar faces were the Ports of Auckland team (1.03.39). The first 2 Master crews were both from Parihaka (Parihaka Masters [1.04.51] & Top Team to Parihaka [1.08.58]).
The last race of the day were the women W1s/W2's event. A vibrant w2 partnership of Richie & Nenni from Taniwha had an astounding lead over the rest of the crew but sadly were misdirected and raced the earlier but longer course the men had raced earlier in the morning slipping back 15 places. Young paddler Rose King lead the W1 pack but having to succumb to her senior opponents Pauline Benson from Akarana winning (53.28) with Vesna Radonich coming second (54.20) and third home and first Senior Master home Lianne Reaburn (54.35). First Master Women home was Parihaka's Ngaire Pehi(54.50) and emerging talent Ariana Gordon Glassford coming in second position (55.10).
A big thank you to all the paddlers and supporters that attended our regatta especially the four crews from Parihaka Club in Whangarei without you our event could not be a success. A Big thank you to all the Taniwha Club members that helped out before and on the day. Tena rawa atu koe.