Whakatū/Nelson master womens 70’s crew going to world sprint championships
Ruby’s is a Masters 70 womens crew from Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club, Whakatū, Nelson. We will be representing Whakatū and Aotearoa, New Zealand at the IVF Waka Ama World Sprint Championships, Hilo, Hawai’i in next month (well next week actually).
Our aim in training for, and competing in this event, is to share our story to inspire people and encourage them to reach for their dreams, no matter their age and what they perceive is possible. Our goal is to medal.
In the last two world sprint championships Canadian and Hawaiian crews have dominated our division and we intend to give them a run for their money. We have been training really hard all through the winter. This involves 4 – 5 paddling sessions and at least 3-4 gym sessions a week in order for the crew’s performance to peak in a couple of weeks. We are nearly there.
It’s been a bit of a journey. We are now 7 paddlers with Linda and Paul Heath as our managers. Zoe Horvath & Huriana Lawrence are our amazing and dedicated coaches. John Young (and a couple of times, Zane Heath) have given up their time to carry our coaches in their motor waka so our coaches can coach us on the water. The club allowed us to have a waka at “The Pond” in Best Island so we have been able to train for our turns – thank you Sean Timoney and Jeff Nielson for taking the waka up. We may have to go up sometime and give the motor yacht people a ride around the pond at some stage. They have been intrigued.
We have had absolutely amazing support in all sorts of ways, supporting our fundraising events, donating to our fund, and we would like to thank each and everyone who has had our backs for this campaign. It’s a huge undertaking and y’all have made it so much easier.
Jane Broughton from Wahi Beach has joined us and will paddle in the 500m straight. Joyce, who has done amazingly after her broken hip, will paddle in the 500m turns race. We are all hoping to get a seat in the W12, either in the Master Womens 70 or Master Womens 75 crews combining with Aratika Water Sports.
Our uniforms arrived today so it’s like Christmas.
So 8 sleeps to go…..
You can read all about our story at gominimal.nz/70plus-crew-hilo-2024/
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.