Sunblock, TV stars and things that go bump in the night

Day Three of competition for the Maitahi crews at Karapiro, and the wealth of new experiences has resulted in a whole lot of learnings for everyone involved. Some of the key lessons individuals have passed on today are as follows :

1. Tracey Marvin – putting Deep Heat on your face instead of sunblock has roughly the same effect as sitting out all day in the sun with no sunblock. Glowing cheeks.
2. Linda Heath – the steerer has to master a whole lot of skills to keep her crew’s power directed in the right lines. The most helpful tool in doing this is a paddle. Take one with you when you go to race. 
3. Kilmeny Stephens – the great coverage provided by Maori TV is instrumental in taking our sport to the nation and the world. One of the best shots available to the director in achieving this is of a female paddler standing right in front of the starting line camera and providing a clear view of a TWOA shirt rather than the race start.
4.  Peter Bywater – ignore all medical advice offered to you by your teammates, especially Jeff. A piece of grit in your eye is probably not a symptom of a stroke.
5. Glenn Hardinge – strange noises in the night and your bed being mysteriously made for you are probably not ghosts, ghouls or other phantasmagoria. Jeff again.
6. Rodney Mackenzie – don’t play hide and seek with him. It took him three days to find the kettle.

It was hot as hell at Lake Karapiro today. First off the block for Maitahi was the combined might of Nga Manu Tahi in the W12 500m. An outstanding performance to finish in 2.18 and 6^th place. A first final for all 12 ladies. 

Hine Tahi had very little time to recover before their 500m heat in the 500m but put together a solid 2.32, just missing out on a final place.The action was almost non stop as a couple of races later NMW headed out for their 1000m turns race. Seventh place in 6.24 wasn’t enough to secure a place in Saturday’s final but both teams have now established that they can compete with the best. The future – accompanied by some fairly unpleasant gym work – looks rosy !

Hine Tahi hit the water again soon after for their 1000m turns. Their time of 6.26 would have been enough to put them in the top 50% of the field and a place in the semi finals but unfortunately one of the turns saw their nose go just the wrong side of a lane marker. A great shame but part and parcel of waka racing and they performed brilliantly.

Just a few minutes later Krakenz 60 headed out for what they thought was their only race of the day, the 1000m turns semi final. It wasn’t the greatest run ever and we felt pretty sluggish, finishing in 5.43, three seconds slower than the heat. But it was mission accomplished and we are in Lane 7 on Saturday and hoping for a better performance.

As we returned to the TWOA tent we were asked if we would paddle in the Men’s Premier division regional W12 final along with fellow sacrificial mutton Kai Ngaru from Christchurch, including old mates Rob Smith and Leon Williams. The only real dent we made in the race was making all the elite fellas wait at the start line for about 10 minutes while we sorted out seat position and paddled to the start. But we had great fun and enjoyed the company.

A big contingent of Maitahi ladies were also onboard for the Women’s W12 regional race, including Lynette Campbell who had been manning the results tent. I think they had as much fun as we did lining up against the big guns.

A quick update on Carol Hunetr who has been paddling with the Whanganui Golden Masters Matangirei team. A whole heap of enjoyment and experience and a broad smile plastered to her face every time she has been spotted. Carol has her 500m final tomorrow around 11.30

Finals day tomorrow sees Krakenz 60 in the 1000m turns at 9.24 and the 500m at 12.05. Good luck to them and well done to all the teams and their supporters both at the event and at home.