THIS sport combines physical activity with the ancient traditions of the Pacific. Waka ama (outrigger canoeing) is gaining in popularity with men and women of all ages and ethnicities involved in the sport.
Christine Fox, Vice-President of the Hoe Tonga Waka Ama Association, says there are ten clubs affiliated to her organisation which comprises the regions of Whanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wellington.
“Waka ama is a unique sport as it is whanau based,” Fox says. “It’s not unusual for members of the same whanau to be paddling at the same competition in different grades from midgets, aged seven years, through to golden masters, in the 55 plus age group.”
Fox says there are several classes of waka designed to carry individual paddlers (W1) doubles (W2), five paddlers and a steerer (W6) and the double hull (W12) with 11 paddlers and a steerer.
“People come to waka ama for a variety of reasons and can experience paddling at levels from social to elite.”
Competitions occur all year round but are particularly popular in the summer months. The national waka ama sprint championships are held each January at Karapiro and a championship is held for secondary schools every April. Fox says the most recent regatta was held at the Hikoikoi Waka Ama Club in Petone over Queens Birthday weekend as part of the celebrations marking Matariki, the Maori new year. The event attracted competitors from as far north as Whangarei, Rotorua and Hamilton.
“As with most sports our organisation is heavily reliant on volunteers and we get support from the Wellington City Council, InformFitness and Altitude Inc who sponsor our regattas.”
While competitions normally occur in the summer, Fox says being surrounded by water paddlers have opportunities to train all year round.
“You get out what you put in and to reach elite standards paddling training levels are high. Even in the midst of winter you will find paddlers on the water as early as 5am. There’s no better way to start the day.”
Fox says waka paddlers of all ethnicities acknowledge and celebrate the origins of waka ama and currently seven vaka moana (large voyaging canoes) are on a voyage from New Zealand to Hawaii.
“Several thousand years ago the Polynesian ancestors travelled the Pacific on vaka moana, using only the stars, the ocean and the surrounding wildlife to navigate. The group voyaging to Hawaii is Te Mana o Te Moana which translates as The Spirit of the Sea. They are crossing the Pacific just as the Polynesian ancestors did.”
In August Fox herself will travel to Hawaii as part of a group of wahine taking part in a changeover ocean race where a squad of 10 jump in and out of a six person waka with a support boat in close proximity.
“The race takes place over five and-a-half hours. It will be very challenging but an excellent opportunity to gain some experience in these waters and learn more about the culture of vaka,” Fox says.