Everyone is well into the long distance season now with the amazing running of the first race of the paddler series 2 weeks ago and the annual Matariki Harbour Challange quickly approaching.
It is time for us all to start thinking of the next race in our calendar which is the second race of the Hoe Tonga Paddler Series hosted by PCKC. Entries are open so get in quick and the panui is now available.
Click here for the race information of event 2
What a great event yesterday with the sun shining and the wind adding a bit of fun for both our race. Thank you to Hawaikinui for running and hosting a great event. Some of the divisions have been merged on the points table due to a lack of team numbers in various divisions.
The next race of the paddler series is being hosted by PCKC in July so don’t forget to enter your team or you may full back on the points table.
Our Winter Season is almost upon us with 1 week before we hit the water in Porirua. The weather is looking beautiful next Saturday so make sure you get your teams together and enter now. We have fine northwesterlies coming through so perfect to start us off for the year.
There is a category for everyone, from experienced paddlers to those who have just picked up a paddle. Get along, support your team and lets see how we start the series from race 1.
The detailed event information for Race 1 of the Series is now available online. The event is hosted by Hawaiki Nui Tua Rua Waka Ama, at Dolly Varden Beach, on 25 May.
Hoe Tonga takes safety seriously. A friendly reminder that any canoes with visible damage or cracks will not be considered seaworthy and will not pass safety checks. Please ensure your teams check their canoes, and if damage exists, to get this fixed before the event to avoid teams not being able to race. Of course, canoes with clean hulls and no cracks will also make you go faster.
Can you beat the chill? Once again with the support of Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association, Hikoikoi Waka Ama Club are hosting the Matariki Harbour Challenge in Wellington. 
For the first time this event also includes a small craft event on Sunday 16 June for W1, W2.
Get your entries in via your club coordinator on the Waka Ama New Zealand Website NOW!!!
Welcome to the Hoe Tonga Paddler Series 2019, designed to attract new paddlers to our sport, and to enable paddlers and teams to race during the winter season
Races consist of a long course (12-18km) for senior teams, and a shorter course (6-9km) for junior and novice (1st year paddling) teams. The Series is overseen by Hoe Tonga, but each individual race is hosted and organised by member clubs or event organisers.
As in previous years, the series is big on participation and we will have again a range of spot prizes, including a brand new paddle.
Click here to download the full information package for the Series.
Please note: Any canoes with visible damage or cracks will be considered not seaworthy and will not pass safety checks.
Please not that race details from the full pack is subject to change. Please keep an eye on specific race information.
Race 1 (Hawaikinui): 25 May (Sat), Ngāti Toa Domain, Porirua
Race 2 (PCKC): 6 July (Sat), Titahi Bay Boating Club, Porirua
Race 3 (Tunui): 25 August (Sat), Wellington City (but exact venue to be confirmed)
Race 4 (Te Ringa Miti Tai Heke): 7 September (Sat), Whanganui
Other information
How can you and your team get the extra edge before Long Distance Nationals? Are you a Steersman that wants to take their skills to the next level? Here is an opportunity for you.
Paul Roozendaal from the New Zealand Elites mens team will be running two clinics while in our Region. Each clinic is limited so secure a spot now for your team/club
On April 12th from 6pm the first clinic is a Distance steering clinic designed to build on basic steering skills not just for steersmen but entire crews. $40 per person and once there are only limited spaces so get in quick.
April 13th will also be an opportunity to attend his Ocean OC1 clinic to help gain those extra seconds on the water. There are only 6 spots available for this clinic and is $70 per person
Steering Workshop Venue: PCKC Club rooms
OC1 Steering: Ngati Toa Domain
To register or for more information please email either
Paul: ikekumuconnections@gmail.com.
Matai: hoetonga@gmail.com
What a great day on Saturday full of exciting and close racing. Congratulation to all the teams that competed this year and thank you to all the volunteers that helped out. Up to 26 schools competed in this years event with many schools providing multiple teams in different divisions. We also saw our Year 7/8 division kick off a new era with a bang.
A big thank you to College Sport Wellington for assisting in delivering this event and the fantastic photos.
A Special Congratulations go to the winners of our two new trophies; the School Excellence Award given to the best performing school and the School Spirit Award given to the school who contributes the most towards the atmosphere and event delivery.
The first recipient of the School Excellence Award for 2019 was awarded to Te Kura a Iwi Whakatupuranga Rua Mano
Our School Spirit Award winners for 2019 was Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito
Check out the the full results here. Good luck to all those teams attending Nationals.
The Motorway Classic is an Iconic Wellington event from the 1990’s. It starts from the Wellington Waterski Club in the Honiana Te Puni Reserve, Petone. It is an out and back course hat runs along the Motorway to a buoy just before the Interislander reclamation. A total distance of 14 km. There is also an 8 km and 4 km option for recreational paddlers and SUP’s and prone paddle boards
The event is open to kayaks, waka ama, (W1, W2, W3 & W6) surf skis, stand up paddle boards and prone paddle boards.
Check out more information of the event here.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2248925938763365/
Hoe Tonga is developing a new strategic plan to guide the region through the next 5 years. The new plan will be our third such plan and would replace the 2014-2018 plan
A workshop was help in October 2018 in Porirua where a number of stakeholders in the region provided their thoughts in regards to the first draft of the Strategic Plan 2019-2023. This first draft is now complete and we encourage all paddlers and interested supporters to read it. Now is the chance for you to have your say to steer Waka Ama in the region towards a future we all like to see. The final adoption of the strategic plan will be ready in June.
Therefore if you do have any thoughts on which direction Waka Ama in the region should go in the next 5 years please either email hoetonga@gmail.com or speak to any of the board members.
