Waka Ama - Paddling to Perfection

Heretaunga Ararau O Ngati Kahungunu Waka Ama Roopu has received a grant of $14,000 for a six-person waka, including spray skirts.

Committee Member and Safety Officer Jamie Thompson says, “This grant will support in teaching junior club members (under nineteen year olds) how to safely paddle and compete in ocean going conditions. It will also allow club members to successfully compete in ocean races which is something we haven't really been able to do in the past due to the type of Waka the club owns and the fact we primarily paddle in the river at Clive on the outskirts of Hastings/Flaxmere. Now we can continue to offer community paddling days where families turn up for 'give it a go' paddling events - another one of these events is planned for early February when we have some more clarity around Covid implications.”

Heretaunga Ararau O Ngati Kahungunu Waka Ama Roopu is a Waka Ama club based in Clive, Hastings that paddles primarily on the Karamu, Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri awa (rivers). Our Kaupapa (or mission) is “to provide Community-based Waka Ama programs that encourage both Whanau and individual participation, competition and healthy lifestyle, promoted within a safe, nurturing and fun environment.”

The club was originally set up in Clive so as to be closer to the townships of Hastings and Flaxmere and allow those communities the opportunity to paddle without having to travel all the way through to Napier where the existing clubs were located. This year our club will turn 20 which will be celebrated with a special club/community event later in February (Covid dependant).

As Heretaunga Waka Ama Roopu is based in Clive, much of the paddling occurs on the three awa (rivers). Many of the races that are held around the country are raced in the ocean and this has disadvantaged the Heretaunga Roopu as a club as its members have not had as much experience paddling in ocean-going conditions. The new W6 Waka is specifically designed for ocean going conditions and will enable both junior and senior club members to train safely in ocean-going conditions and compete in ocean races. This also frees up existing older club waka to be used in community-based events, such as the ‘Give Waka A Go’ days, several of which were held in Clive during January 2022.

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