Waka Racing

Waka Racing
Waka Racing
Waka racing is for everyone.
You do not need to be an experienced paddler, a super fit athlete or even be particularly competitive to get a huge amount of satisfaction and enjoyment from racing.
For many crews racing is often as much about the journey to the start line as what happens when you get there. Whether you are aiming for podium honours, getting fit, completing a distance or mainly enjoying the social side of the race meet, there is something for you.
Of course, if you are a super competitive paddler looking to go to the World Championships, we will also support you !
If you want to get in a race crew or have any further questions about racing, either email [email protected] or call Tony Davies on 021 169 6987
Waka Ama Events Calendar
Te Waka o Aoraki Regional Sprints 2023
South Island qualifying for Sprint Nationals
December 9 at South Eyre LakeWaka Ama Sprint Nationals 2024
The biggest event on the waka ama calendar in NZ.
January 14, 2024 - January 20, 2024 at Lake KarapiroTuna E Hoe Ana 2024
Maitahi's annual regatta in the Lakes
February 9, 2024 - February 10, 2024 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson LakesTakapuna Beach Cup 2024
A festival of waka paddling including change races.
February 16, 2024 - February 18, 2024 at Takapuna Beach, Auckland
Club Waka Allocation
There are a few occasions, normally local races, where we have more crews requesting use of club waka than we can provide with our fleet of canoes.
For races where this is a possibility, we will publish a date for crews or individuals to register interest in using a club waka and after which they can pay their entry fees (either to the race organisers or through the club for sanctioned races). This gives you a chance to get organised & train and gives us a chance to assess the level of demand. If you prefer a specific waka you can request one (though there is no guarantee you will get it !)
There will then be a later published date where we will allocate waka to crews that have registered interest and paid. If we are oversubscribed and no arrangement can be made between crews, we will use the simple method of a coin toss to decide who gets waka. This does not preclude late entries, but it makes it less likely that you will be able to get a club waka. This process will be open and transparent and we hope you will bear with us as we refine it to make it as fair as possible.
Where we cannot satisfy the demand by club members for waka, the club will endeavour to access, hire and pay for other waka that might be available, at no additional cost to the crew.
We recognise that, for various reasons, crews sometimes contain non-club members. In those instances we will ask for a pro-rata payment to cover their portion of the hire. This may also apply to non-club members racing in club waka. At current hire rates this equates to $25 per paddler.
You can find a full description of the waka allocation policy here. Allocation of club waka for races
Tuna E Hoe Ana (Paddling with the eels)
Interested in the Maitahi annual regatta at Nelson Lakes in February?