There was a good representation of Nelson paddlers at World Sprints this year. Whakatū Marae had 2 crews, Katcha Whae) (Womens masters W6) and VO2 (mens masters W6) as well as singles V1 paddler Kereama Payn.
Maitahi members Jan Blythe and Rongomai Flavell paddled for Wakatipu in the Golden Masters womens W6, Carmel Barrett paddled masters women W6 for Parihaka and Tracey Kingi paddled W6 for Horouta in the Senior Masters womens division.
It would be great to see an even bigger contingent go from Nelson in 2020.
VO2 and Aoraki Matatu won bronze in the W12 500m and Kereama came 4th in the final of the V1 500m. A great effort as the competition was fierce. The Tahitian crews are strong. The weather conditions were challenging for sprint racing.
Its never too early or too late to start paddling waka ama
We always welcome new members to the Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club.
We have social and racing waka ama crews catering for a wide variety of ages and abilities.