What was your most memorable experience?

Katie Thurston asks Ruby’s

Ruby’s, the master 70 womens sprints team from Maitahi, went to compete at a world sprint championships in Hilo, Hawaii this year. We all agree this is an amazing achievement.

• They competed in the w12 and got into the final.
• Joyce and Lynette competed in the W12 master womens 75 and won silver
• W6 turns race, 3 heats in their grade and they went through to the repercharge.
• W6 straight 500 – three heats in their grade and they went straight to the final as the 4th fastest qualifier. In the final they were placed 7th out of 8 teams. This was the race that brave Carol dislocated her shoulder getting into the waka and still raced!

The medal talley:

1. Tahiti
2. Hawaii
3. Aotearoa/New Zealand – 14 Golds, 33 Silver and 18 Bronze

Upon their return, there was an attempt to get the crew together to honour these exceptional paddlers with a Maitahi event. We couldn’t get them all together in the same place at the same time. So I interviewed Jan and asked all crew members one question…

What was your most memorable experience?

Jan – many things, probably the most proud moment was performing kapa haka with the whole NZ contingent at the cultural night. NZ was the only country to utilise their whole contingent at the cultural night. We performed a karakia, 3 waiata and the Waka Ama NZ haka. And a text book W6 500m straight race – both the heat and the final. there were no “what if’s” for me. And Penny’s Qi Gong each morning.

Penny – putting into action the 6 months training we did under the exceptional regular tutoring of Huriana and Zoe right through the winter and the training programme Claire Dallison (sports lecturer at NMIT) guided us through.

Lyn – getting second in the 500m straight heat – everything came together. I came off the water on such a high.

Heather – Our straight 500m race. Lined up perfectly on the start line, which resulted in a faultless start with paddle strength to be ahead of the other waka. Throughout the race we maintained our stroke variation and rate with strength and power.

Carol – many memorable moments. The 500m sprints Heat 1, was text book. The Ruby’s crew handled everything so well. Perfectly placed on the start line, clear instructions from steerer. Perfect start. Each crew member worked together in their pod. Everything we had practiced with our coaches tireless support came together.

Joyce – so many memories – swimming in a beautiful lagoon with tropical vegetation, surf waves breaking on the natural lava breakwater 50metres away and a huge turtle gently feeding around us. Or mixing with paddlers from different places and seeing the respect everyone had for each other. The pinnacle had to be receiving my beautiful silver medal – makes me teary.

Jane – our paddler from Waihi –

A big shout out to the coaches

All the crew mentioned the huge input from their coaches Huriana and Zoe. Giving up so much of their time whilst they were also training. Their input was invaluable and the crew has a huge appreciation of their efforts to forge us into a crew working together. And to Claire Dallison from NMIT, who also gave generously of her time and who taught the value of asking the “what if” questions so there are no surprises and especially for reminding them that things can happen that are outside their control. (Carol’s accident)

An even bigger shout out to Linda & Paul Heath – the managers

Linda Heath was their manager. Linda and her husband, Paul, travelled with them to Hawai’i and gave endless support and encouragement. Invaluable and huge appreciation.

Also mentioned was the value of the race debriefing after each race, to keep current and understand what was happening for individuals. And especially for organising helpers to assist the crew getting in and out of the waka as entry was difficult.

If you want to medal

• you need to train hard – on and off the water with cardio and strength work. The competition is exceedingly fierce even at this grade.
• Train against other crews so you get the feeling of lining up, starts and being challenged.

These women have so much to share – about training, preparation, having a land based manager, coaches, fundraising manager, nutrition and more. My suggestion – take a Ruby to Rubys for a coffee and find out more.

Other Nelson paddlers competing

Special mention – Mars, Jacqui, Carmel and Lee-Anne, we had a strong top of the south representation. Carmel, Jacqui & Lee-Anne (paddling for Te Waka Pounamu as Aotea) were in a W12 crew (combined with a Parihaka crew) in the W12 and won gold in the Senior Masters womens division.

Congratulations to all paddlers.

Go for it! It’s possible

If you get a chance to compete in waka sprints – go for it – age is not a barrier.

Last word from Rubies paddlers :

They all want to say a huge thank you to the club, club members and family for supporting them in training and while away – it made a huge difference.