Sometimes it feels as though the stars have aligned and bestowed good fortune on us. Well that is partly true for this year’s Tuna e Hoe Ana regatta, as the weather gods served up one of the best weekends of sunshine and breeze that we have experienced in recent years. You can’t really put a value on a weekend where sun block is the only barrier you need to stay comfortable (though a few of those susceptible to sandfly bites might disagree).
The whole atmosphere around the event was fantastic from Friday lunchtime onwards when we set up our small tented village on the shores of Kerr Bay. Jeff towed our heavily laden waka up to (and back from) Rotoiti while Sean did the honours with the trailer full of other gear. Many helping hands, this year brilliantly marshalled by volunteer wrangler Suzanne Jones, made light work of getting the admin area organised and our waka whanau from around the South Island and as far as the UK began to arrive in time for our event welcome and karakia from Aaron Hemi of Ngāti Apa.
The Friday races were well attended particularly the men’s singles and doubles. I’m not sure I have seen so many small waka on the water before. The breeze got up a wee bit as racing drew to a close but we dropped the tents down and retreated to Red Deer Lodge – organised by Heather – and various other accommodations to get ready for the next day.
The Admin Tent was up and running by 07.00 with Karen, Katie and Judith at the helm. They were helped massively by Zoe’s work getting the entry and timing sheets sorted out in the days before we arrived. Over in the timing area Debs and Bunny were getting their team organised and not long afterwards Lynda C was on hand to get the BBQ up and running. Down on the shore Greg and Al were carrying out the safety checks and out on the water Jason, Zaine and the TDC harbourmaster crew were patrolling the lake. I am mentioning a few names and obviously running the risk of missing someone out but my get-out clause is that pretty much every club attendee threw themselves into helping at one time or another. And not just MOCC folk : there was an amazing collegiate atmosphere that turned the event into a sort of functioning co-operative. It was an absolute pleasure to be involved.
And yes, there was also a lot of waka racing. The highlight for me was the surprising number of young MOCC paddlers in novice crews (along with the usual complement of amazing older paddlers defying Father Time with every stroke). The whole day ran to schedule in glorious sunshine with barely a pause between races.
Up at the hall Jason D and Helen B had already arrived and prepared all the food, Katie organised what has to be the most impressive collection of trophies in any race in New Zealand, Steve did the karakia and then it was dinner time. Delicious Tom Gha and bolognaise sauce with pasta from Real Meals. Jason’s involvement in the last few years has not only been very tasty but has turned the event into a real fund raiser. The prize giving included a very passionate haka from TWP and some heart-felt words from our guests from Wraysbury Dragons in the UK. Sean T received a well deserved President’s Award from Damian. When it was all over, the hall was packed away in very short order and a welcome celebratory drink at Alpine Lodge was enjoyed by MOCC paddlers young and old before one of the best – if not the best – TEHA in memory drew to a close.If anyone has not been mentioned in this yarn it’s not that you are not valued or appreciated – you are – it’s just that so many people contributed that it’s hard to remember them all ! Thanks to Real Meals, DOC, Ngati Apa , Sport Tasman and
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.