The Moxy, Slough Most of the Aratika contingent has been staying in the Moxy Hotel in Slough. It has been fantastic for us being just 15 mins from the venue. Thanks to our amazing drivers Norman, Mere & Kathleen who work tirelessly to get us all to the river or the venue. Coordinating the transport …
Our journey to the venue is like a trip through history. It’s a bit like passing through Hogwarts. I can certainly see where some of the imagery came from for the Harry Potter series. We pass through Eton College campus on our way to Eton Wick, via roads like Keats Lane and past the Silversmiths …
Dorney Lake, Eton Dorney Lake is set within 400 acres of a nature conservation area. The main lake is a 2,200-metre rowing course. Beside the main lake is a return/warm-up channel with the officials tower on the bank between the two overlooking the start or finish line depending on the race. The lake water is …
First full day in London Wow, this morning we got to paddle on the Thames at Henley thanks to the generosity of the Outrigger canoe club there. We are using their brand new Matahina waka (which are the model we are using in the competition). For the first kilometer there was too a bit too …
Nelson to Auckland Well it was certainly an eventful evening last night. Four of my crew decided to travel to Auckland on Monday so we could have a great nights sleep and a relaxed start to the day of of flight to London. Yeah Right! I was unpacking my paddle bag to get my sarong …
I thought I should just write a blog about our trip to World Sprints. So many people have been asking so I thought this might be the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone and share the news. It’s 2 sleeps to go. We decided (well 4 of my crew) to head up to …
In New Zealand a ruddered canoe (Hawaiian style – oneman outrigger canoe) is referred to as an OC1. A rudderless canoe (Tahitian style – va’a) is normally referred to as a V1. Both can be referred to as W1 – which can get confusing sometimes. I get asked for advice sometimes on which would be …
V1 or OC1? Ruddered or rudderless – what is best for me? Read More »
Covid-19 calls for a Plan B OK, so now I am definitely onto Plan B. Aotearao, New Zealand’s Long Distance Nationals in Picton have been cancelled. International Va’a Federation World Sprints in Hilo, Hawaii August 2020 are cancelled. I am at home under a national rāhui (lockdown) for four weeks at least. We aren’t allowed …
Age is no barrier to competing internationally I’ve just Qualified to race at World Sprints, 2020 At nearly 70 I have qualified to represent Aotearoa New Zealand in the single waka racing at the 2020 International Va’a Federation (Waka Ama) World Sprint Championships in Hilo, Hawai’i in August 2020. My goal in training for, and …
Going to ‘Worlds‘ is such a big journey. Besides all the training, I have had to put my cap in hand and start asking for support. It’s a really challenging thing to do for someone of my generation. I asked my personal trainer, Jace Hulena, of Primal Fit Gym in Stoke if he could help …
We have an active group of oneman paddlers in Nelson, paddling both V1 and OC1. We often meet Saturdays at the beach. Sometimes Tony or Jan have their GoPros out… Paddling from Tahunanui Beach Linda tries out her new Va’a Factory V1 Yesterday was an eventful day as there was a new Va’a Factory waka …
Waka Paddles are A very personal choice Getting the right paddle for you can be a bit of a challenge. I started off using our club paddles. They were wooden, heavy and well used, so they ‘plopped’ a lot. There was only one 47″ paddle and it was often out when I wanted to use …
From OC1 to V1 I bought the OC1 nearly 3 years ago and it’s made such a difference in my life. It made it easier to train for World Sprints when my crew was spread from North Cape to the Bluff (one end of New Zealand to the other). However, in Tahiti at Worlds I …
Buying a V1 Va’a (rudderless outrigger canoe) for Grannies Read More »
I find it really easy to offer help, support and awhi to others. And yet it is always so much harder to ask for help for something for myself. Going to the 2018 IVF Va’a (Waka Ama) World Club Championships, Tahiti Our Crew, Tahu-Nui-A-Rangi, qualified to go to the 2018 IVF Va’a (Waka Ama) World …
At 67 saying “Yes” is really important and I’ve been saying “YES” a lot more lately. I am constantly amazed at how my world opens up when I do. It changes everything, I feel better about myself, I meet more people, I go more places and I am generally happier and more confident. I am …
Getting fit on my own doesn’t work for me. I can paddle heaps because I am usually paddling with another 5 people and have a commitment to my crew. However, some forms of waka ama, like sprints, require a greater cardio fitness. I’ve done it before (at 65) Before going to Outwards Bound 2 years …
Off Water Training – Waka Ama Sprints for the over 60’s Read More »
Increase the distance, increase the nutrition Proper hydration and nutrition are critical if you are going to do long distance waka ama racing or doing long distance training. We have an OC6 crew who have been going out for 20 – 25km paddles on a Saturday morning since early June to help Pete with his …
Hydration & Nutrition Critical for Long Distance Waka Ama Paddling Read More »
Waka ama crews in New Zealand are normally 6 people who come together for social or racing events in 6 man outrigger canoes (OC6 or W6). Forming racing crews for waka ama racing can be a challenging task. If you are thinking of a race and want to get a crew together there are a …
Here I am at 66 buying a brand new OC1. Mad or not, it was a great decision. To translate the jargon, an OC1 is a one man waka, actually a one woman waka (or one man outrigger canoe). It was something that had been on my mind for a while. Missing out on racing at Waka …
Buying an Ehukai OC1 one man waka (outrigger canoe) Read More »
I am passionate about waka ama even though I came to it later than most. I was 63 when I took up the sport. I have never done a team sport before, and not done any sport at all in the last 25 years, apart from an occasional walk to the Centre of New Zealand …