The annual Waka Ama Sprint Nationals continues to demonstrate its surging popularity, drawing a significant international presence to Aotearoa this year.
The event, which sees a growing number of participants and supporters annually, welcomed competitors from across the globe, including the Hekili Outrigger Canoe Club from Cairns, Australia, and world champion paddler Hinatea Bernadino from Tahiti.
“We’ve come here to experience this amazing event. The Waka Ama for New Zealand is huge and the quality of paddlers is next level,” says Emma Morgan from Hekili Outrigger Canoe Club.
“So it’s a really good experience for us and we’re very very stoked to be here and to paddle with these lovely women,” Emma says.
“We were born ready and paddling with this lot, we’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re so appreciative that they’ve joined us to have this amazing opportunity to be here on this beautiful Lake Karāpiro.”
The increasing scale of the competition, which hosts many international teams, solidifies its position as a major event on the global waka ama calendar.
The event also hosted Tahitian paddling royalty, Hinatea Bernadino, a past world champion who was on hand to promote her kaupapa and pass on her expertise.
“My first world title was at 14 and in 2006 here was my third world title so now I’m just thinking of doing something to make sure that the future of Tahiti, the kids and the tourists can come and share our culture and share my knowledge, my technique and all my experience,” says Hinatea.
“They really love their culture, living their culture, living your reo and your sport. For me, here is an example for us,” she says.
The national sprints clearly served as an example of world-class competition and cultural exchange for all paddlers.