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Pineula passionate paddlers
FOUR-TIME CHAMPIONS: Team Pineula win their fourth consecutive national sprint title, a record for the sport of outrigger canoeing. Source Northshore Times
A group of unwanted and unknown paddlers has become a record-breaking dream team with a vision to take on the world.
Team Pineula from the Takapuna-based Akarana club is the first crew to win the national men's 500m W6 title four years in a row.
Since the crew reformed in 2009 – after a six-year hiatus – they have been unstoppable in the sprint distance, winning multiple titles in New Zealand and in Rarotonga.
They have also made an impact in the 30km long-distance events, winning gold at nationals in 2010 and silver last year.
Last month they defeated international crews in the 42km Takapuna Beach Cup to defend the title won in 2011.
In the Takapuna Cup race teams paddle around Rangitoto, Motutapu and Rakino.
Pineula set a course record of 3 hours and 8 minutes.
John Papalii, an experienced world champion paddler who was behind reforming the crew three years ago, says some of the guys were considered "has beens" and others were new to the sport but they used these perceived barriers as motivation to improve.
"We are passionate about canoes and we came together when no one else would paddle with us," Papalii says.
"Every single one of us at some stage was looking for a good crew of brothers who just wanted to paddle.
"We are very competitive in the team and no one likes to let the others down and because of that we always paddle so well."
Sometimes misunderstood as "over confident paddlers" Papalii insists the crew are just enjoying what they do.
"Our bond on the water and off has been like no other in all the years I have been involved with the sport," the 33-year-old says.
Pineula has a strong history, it started as a club in 1995, won its first open men's national title in 2000, in 2002 it won the New Zealand W6 open men's 500m title as well as the world title before disbanding in 2003.
Now Pineula is back and ready to challenge for another world title at the sprint championships held in August in Canada.
"We believe we are the best at the 500m distance in the W6," Papalii says.
"We would like to get back that title that Pineula last won in 2002."
Behind Pineula's world title bid are Aucklanders Papalii, former junior and senior world champion Jeff Ah-Kuoi, Kingi Gilbert, 24-year-old Shannon Moon, new recruit Kisi Fonua as well as Wellingtonian Caleb Wharepapa who is the son of founder of the sport Greg Brightwell.
"We feel that if we do well in Canada that we will be able to give back on a bigger scale to the sport in the way of coaching, training and team building," Papalii says.
Email John Papalii at johnpapalii@greyman solutions.com if you can help get the team to Canada
Team Pineula from the Takapuna-based Akarana club is the first crew to win the national men's 500m W6 title four years in a row.
Since the crew reformed in 2009 – after a six-year hiatus – they have been unstoppable in the sprint distance, winning multiple titles in New Zealand and in Rarotonga.
They have also made an impact in the 30km long-distance events, winning gold at nationals in 2010 and silver last year.
Last month they defeated international crews in the 42km Takapuna Beach Cup to defend the title won in 2011.
In the Takapuna Cup race teams paddle around Rangitoto, Motutapu and Rakino.
Pineula set a course record of 3 hours and 8 minutes.
John Papalii, an experienced world champion paddler who was behind reforming the crew three years ago, says some of the guys were considered "has beens" and others were new to the sport but they used these perceived barriers as motivation to improve.
"We are passionate about canoes and we came together when no one else would paddle with us," Papalii says.
"Every single one of us at some stage was looking for a good crew of brothers who just wanted to paddle.
"We are very competitive in the team and no one likes to let the others down and because of that we always paddle so well."
Sometimes misunderstood as "over confident paddlers" Papalii insists the crew are just enjoying what they do.
"Our bond on the water and off has been like no other in all the years I have been involved with the sport," the 33-year-old says.
Pineula has a strong history, it started as a club in 1995, won its first open men's national title in 2000, in 2002 it won the New Zealand W6 open men's 500m title as well as the world title before disbanding in 2003.
Now Pineula is back and ready to challenge for another world title at the sprint championships held in August in Canada.
"We believe we are the best at the 500m distance in the W6," Papalii says.
"We would like to get back that title that Pineula last won in 2002."
Behind Pineula's world title bid are Aucklanders Papalii, former junior and senior world champion Jeff Ah-Kuoi, Kingi Gilbert, 24-year-old Shannon Moon, new recruit Kisi Fonua as well as Wellingtonian Caleb Wharepapa who is the son of founder of the sport Greg Brightwell.
"We feel that if we do well in Canada that we will be able to give back on a bigger scale to the sport in the way of coaching, training and team building," Papalii says.
Email John Papalii at johnpapalii@greyman solutions.com if you can help get the team to Canada
