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BEREAVEMENT: Rick Nu'u Update
It is with great sadness that we farewell Rick Nu'u, one of the great legends of our sport.
Rick passed away on 30th of January in Canada where he lived with his wife Zoe and 2 daughters.
Rick originally from Kawerau, was instrumental in starting up the Tarawera Six Pack (Tarawera Outrigger Club) in 1990 and spent many years paddling, training and coaching in New Zealand before taking up a coaching position at the False Creek Outrigger Canoe Club in Canada. He then moved to Maui and coached and paddled with the Hawaiian Canoe Club for many years before moving back to Canada with his family to live in the Comox Valley Vancouver.
Rick was a coach, mentor and inspiration to many paddlers, giving his time, energy and expertise to developing and promoting outrigger canoeing (waka ama) in New Zealand, Hawaii and Canada.
On behalf of Nga Kaihoe O Aotearoa (Waka Ama New Zealand) we send our deepest sympathies to Rick's family and friends.
Haere ra e hoa, haere atu ra
On Sunday 17th February there will be a public memorial at 11:00am at the Kawerau Town Hall. In the afternoon there will be a paddle out to commemorate Rick at 4:00pm for anyone who would like to bring their waka.
Rick originally from Kawerau, was instrumental in starting up the Tarawera Six Pack (Tarawera Outrigger Club) in 1990 and spent many years paddling, training and coaching in New Zealand before taking up a coaching position at the False Creek Outrigger Canoe Club in Canada. He then moved to Maui and coached and paddled with the Hawaiian Canoe Club for many years before moving back to Canada with his family to live in the Comox Valley Vancouver.
Rick was a coach, mentor and inspiration to many paddlers, giving his time, energy and expertise to developing and promoting outrigger canoeing (waka ama) in New Zealand, Hawaii and Canada.
On behalf of Nga Kaihoe O Aotearoa (Waka Ama New Zealand) we send our deepest sympathies to Rick's family and friends.
Haere ra e hoa, haere atu ra
On Sunday 17th February there will be a public memorial at 11:00am at the Kawerau Town Hall. In the afternoon there will be a paddle out to commemorate Rick at 4:00pm for anyone who would like to bring their waka.
Photo Gallery (click to enlarge)
Comments
Keith Parker - It is with a very sad heart to hear of Rickys passing I had the honour and pleasure to spend many many hours of paddling with this legend in Outrigger paddling in New Zealand and overseas.My thoughts go to the family of Rickys at this time.As a member of the orginal 6 pack team at the Tawerau club I padded with Ricy at nationals and Worlds for many years he was an insperiation and a fantastic leader and wondeful person as well,rest in peace my brother you will be missed. may you paddle for ever now at peace with many of your paddling friends who have passed before you.Love and thoughts Keith Parker 6 Pack Outrigger canoe club.
02-Feb-2013
TT - Kia ora Rick
02-Feb-2013
Len Prasad. - I have just heard today of the passing of Ricky. Along with some of the other 'originals', like Bo Herbert, it is sad indeed to get news like this. It certainly makes one reflect on the lives we have led, and the essence of what it means to be human and the yardstick by which we measure a fulfilling and worthy life. I have shared many wonderful days of hard core competition against, and partying with Ricky in NZ. Though we are powerless against the inevitable, let us also rejoice in, and take motivation in a life truly lived, by a great paddler and an all round awesome guy. My sincerest condolances to sister Malvina, and the Nu'u family. Much Aloha, Len.
03-Feb-2013
Dan cohen - Rick was a close friend on Maui. I cannot understand at all - such a tragic loss to his family, to his friends and to his hoa'waka around the world. Aloha 'oe Rick - I'll never forget you...
03-Feb-2013
Dan Cohen - Rick's wife Zoe Norcross-Nu'u is planning ceremonies in Canada, Aotearoa and on Maui in Rick's memory... I am sure dates will be provided when planns are made. For now our love and best wishes go out to his 'ohana... Aloha!
03-Feb-2013
Danger - Rick was directly responsible for introducing me to the sport and taught me a great deal, he was also the one that gave me the nick name Danger. He was a gentleman, mentor, coach and true friend and I cant get my head around this huge loss. Sincere condolences to his family, Rest in peace brother.
03-Feb-2013
Richard Schuster - Brother Rick,an honour to have known you and paddled with you(outrigger NZ Dragon boat crew)you were a true humble gentleman on and off the water this is another big blow to our sport much aroha to your whanau,kia kaha to sister Malvina.
Richard Schuster.
03-Feb-2013
Rose Tahere (Nu'u) - Yes, my lovely baby brother was a beautiful soul in every way. He's going to be a great loss to those who loved him. My heart is with you Ricky. Love you so much. And thank you so much for all the beautiful comments. God bless. Alofa lava ia oe.
03-Feb-2013
Matthew Cuthbert - Saddened to hear about Ricky I first met Ricky when I joined the very new Tasman Pulp and Paper Dragon Boat teams in 1989 / 1990 it was a crazy time and Tasman use to win all the Dragon Boat Regattas with Ricky right there in the front if the boat with his huge physical stature but all round nice guy. At that time he had just help set up the Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club and we paddle a number of events with Ricky and the team at Nationals and Worlds. He also ran the Kawerau Gym. My Condolences to all his family. We will still paddle for many years to come and remember you always
03-Feb-2013
Raipoia - Condolences to Rick's whanau from the Brightwell whanau in Gisborne. You represented to us the top of the waka mountain, a beautiful all round paddler and person. Haere ra, e Rick!
Te aroha ia rahi
04-Feb-2013
Louise Henderson - It is with sad heart to hear of Rick's passing. The time we shared at the NZ tent in Calgary 2013 whereby we reminisce about the humble beginnings of waka ama in aotearoa. The tears we shared about those who were no longer with us, who laid down some of the foundation of waka ama in Aotearoa the Bo and Chrissy Herbert, Kris Kjeldsen and Ace Cuthers.
Before we said our farewell at Calgary on the last day of competition – question he asked “when are you going to revive the Hauraki Hoe” – I will be back for it and I am sure Maui will be too.
The words cannot express the enjoyment and magic moments we/I have had from 1990 onwards with Rick whether on or off the water or here in Aotearoa or overseas at racing events such as the Worlds. He would only be too happy to pass on his knowledge, paddling skills, support and update what’s happening in the waka ama world, to whoever asked or wanted to listen and there were many listeners out there. The 6 PACK team will always be remembered tales to be told and many laughs to come from those tales.
Aroha nui and sincere condolences to Zoe and family, and the Nu’u whanau.
Te oe nei a Rick na runga i tona vaka ki tona tere anga openga e ka opu ia mai e ratou tei oe atu na mua iaia.
Louise
04-Feb-2013
Shaye Pettit-Smith - I'm flawed to to hear of the loss of another Great Totara. Another of our great paddling ambassadors and my close personal mate.
We paddled together often in the early 1990s thru to his departure overseas. I worked for an airline in Ch.Ch then - luckily. I would get a call from Rick saying "Bro, what you doing next weekend?". Nex thing I would be somewhere around Aotearoa or overseas with Rick & the boys paddling my butt off while Rick would bark out orders in the Waka! lol. I was also close to Malvina - much love goes to you and the rest of your Whanau.
I still have a photo on my office wall of us before the 1995 Molokai Hoe. Shitting bricks for me coz it was my first one. But such a calming influence - off the water! On the water you wouldn't get anyone more competitive than Rick.
Say hi to our mate's Bo and Kris coz now you got your own 3 man team! Carve up in Heaven bro!!
04-Feb-2013
Mike Hickson/ Team Fluffy Slippers - When i first started paddling Tarawera 6 pack was the team to aspire to and over the years i have had the pleasure to meet, chat and paddle with Rick, the last time at the worlds in Canada, a humble and honest man who would gladly help you and give you advice if you asked. Wherever people paddle he will be remembered.
04-Feb-2013
Marinna Millanta-Lowrey - To Malvina, Zoe, Tiare and Ka'ena and whanau - Tēnā rāwā atu koe i tō aituā nui. My privilege to have met Rick in the early 1990s through dragonboating and waka ama, a genuine guy and so generous of his time with others. Alas, another mighty totara falls but a racing six is borne - Rick, Bo, Chrissie, Ace, Kris, Bhutty. Rick leaves behind a beautiful family and a treasured memory of a "great" guy with many many friends from NZ, Hawaii and Canada.
Kia hora te marino,Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,
Kia tere te karohirohi. May the seas be calm,
May the shimmer of summer, Glisten like the greenstone, Dance across thy pathway. Ma Io koutou e manaaki, e tiaki, i nga wa katoa.
May God bless you and protect you for all time.
http://www.fcrcc.com/news/rick-nuu
https://www.canadianoutrigger.com/farewell-rick/
06-Feb-2013
Tamaki Outrigger and sister club Aratika Water Sports - On behalf of the Tamaki Outrigger Canoe Club and Aratika Water Sports and its members we send our condolensces and love to the Nu’u Whanau and may they take comfort that Rick as he continues his final journey on his waka that he will be supported by the waka ama paddlers who has gone before him.
Te na roto atu nei iaku te oronga anga atu i te reo akapumaana no ko mai i te "Tamaki Outrigger Canoe Club, Aratika Water Sports club" e te au mema kia kotou e te
Nu’u Whanau e kia riro teia ei akamaroiroi ia kotou e, te oe nei a Rick na runga i tona vaka ki tona tere anga openga e ka opu ia mai e ratou tei oe atu na mua iaia.
08-Feb-2013
MML - Could someone please post details of memorial service in Kawerau believed to be this weekend. Thank you
12-Feb-2013
Jayne (Batcheldor) Landry - I attended the memorial for Ricky in Canada last Saturday and cannot begin to express the aroha and the grief that was shared. Much love to Zoe and family, to Malvina and Junior who joined made the journey to Canada to bring Ricky home to NZ, and to all of the Nu'u aiga.
The NZ memorial is to be held at 11am Sunday February 17th, Kawerau town hall, Kawerau.
Aroha Nui
Jayne
13-Feb-2013
George (Bart) Rata - My old training mentor in the iron sport, dragonboats & outriggers this comes as a shock numbs me. To my dear friends the Nu"u whanau my sincere love to you all and Ricks wife & girls.
22-Feb-2013