It is with regret Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association will be cancelling this regatta on Saturday due to the weather that is expected to disrupt what would have been a fantastic day. 

Unfortunately with the high wind gusts and rain predicted for Saturday, the conditions on the water and during the day would prove very challenging. Sunday regrettably is not looking any better for paddling at Onepoto.   

Today
At 9am today the Sustained wind speed was Northerly 55kts with highest gust 75kts.
Earlier at 8am is was Northerly 55 with Gusts to 64kts.
Porirua
Saturday:
Northwest rising to 25 knots gusting 30 knots, then easing to 15 knots in the evening. Periods of rain.
Change to southerly 35 knots overnight. Periods of rain. 

Sunday: Southerly 35 knots easing to 25 knots in the evening. Rain easing to showers. Monday: Southerly 25 knots, gradually dying away. Showers clearing. 

Hoe Tonga would like to thank all those who have offered their assistance and services this weekend (support boats, caravans, tents, waka etc) and wish all paddlers success at the National Secondary Schools Waka Ama Sprint Champs in a couple of weeks time.  

Please pass this cancellation notice on to all involved, my apologies if you have received twice. 

Chris Fox
Hoe Tonga – Vice-President
Mob: 027 651 5379

Regarding the Mixed W6 division – we have amended our earlier registration confining entry to co-ed Secondary Schools to allow the single sex schools to put in a mixed entry.  In addition those paddling in single sex crews who want to join to make a mixed team will not be charged for the mixed team entry, effectively meaning each paddler will pay $15pp for this regatta.  Those paddlers only competing in mixed division will still need to pay a team entry of $90.00. 

UNDER 16 W6 Mixed Teams  (amended) This division is applicable to co-ed secondary schools  (same School) and those single sex schools who wish to form a mixed team. All mixed teams must consist of 6 paddlers, this includes a steerer and have 3 BOYS (Same School) and 3 GIRLS (same school) .

• Teams will be able to paddle two events 250m and 500m turn race in J16 division
• If your school cannot field an entire UNDER 16 team and you need to mix UNDER 16 with UNDER 19 then the team must register as a UNDER 19 team.
• One UNDER 19 paddler in a UNDER 16 team constitutes the team to be registered as a UNDER 19 team.  

 UNDER 19 W6 Mixed Teams (amended) This division is applicable to co-ed secondary schools  (same School) and those single sex schools who wish to form a mixed team. All mixed teams must consist of 6 paddlers, this includes a steerer and have 3 BOYS (same school) and 3 GIRLS (same school).  

•  Competitors must be Full time Secondary School Students under 19 as at 1 January 2011
• Competitors may only compete for one school at this regatta. This must be the school at which they are enrolled and attend full time.

Tunui a Te Ika Waka Ama Club are supporting ‘Out on the Beach’ Friday 18 March as part of  the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames Festivities.

The Outgames are hosted in Wellington from Saturday 12 March – Saturday 19 March 2011 and offer a variety of  sports, cultural activities and fun, see: http://www.wellingtonoutgames.com/home for more details and information.

Tunui a Te Ika club members will be providing an introduction to waka ama from 1 -3 pm and is just one of the many activities being held at Oriental Beach on Friday 18 March.

The region has initiated a discussion on the regional affiliation fee as current fees are insufficient to cover the operating costs of Hoe Tonga.

Please click here to download a discussion paper on this issue.

The timeline for your feedback and potential changes is as follows:

• March: Provide feedback (clubs and paddlers) to hoetonga@gmail.com or joern.scherzer@gmail.com until 15 March
• April: Discussion of feedback at regional level at April committee meeting
• May: Agreement on preferred option at May committee meeting
• June/July: Decision on fee level for 2011/12 based on financial analysis of 2011/11
• August: Implementation of changes at AGM

After a successful season in 2010 and Nationals in January this year Team Makaira is fundraising to attend Waka Ama events nationally and internationally in 2011. Click here to get the flyer.

What can you win?

1 prize of $500
2 prizes of $200
5 prizes of $100
12 prizes of $50
5 prizes of $20

How much does it cost? $20 per ticket. You can get your ticket from Ronnie Thomas (team manager) at 021 050 2613, or from Joern at 021-1250997 or joern.scherzer@gmail.com.

All money raised will go towards travel and race related expenses

When & Where: Saturday 5 March 2011 -draw commences @ 6pm at Cabbage Tree, 1 SerlbyPlace, Porirua (across the road from Countdown)

If you are unable to attend give your tickets to someone who will be there.

Good news received – Maritime safety are in regular contact with the crew of Nuku Tai Ao who have revised their ETA to Waitangi estimat arrival now 8 February.

Te Wananga o Aotearoa are offering a Certificate in Waka Ama Course  beginning in March 2011!
Certificate in Waka Ama TWoA

An information evening will be held on 16 February 2011 from 6.00pm – 7.30pm at the following venue:
The Auditorium
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
3-5 Heriot Drive
PORIRUA

Please contact Samantha if you have any enquiries regarding this programme:
Samantha Tamanui
Co-ordinator, Waka Ama
Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Porirua Campus, 3 Heriot Drive, PO Box 50-211, PORIRUA
Phone:  +64 4 238-4880
Fax:  +64 4 237-0116
E-mail:  samantha.tamanui@twoa.ac.nz

 URGENT
 We are urgently trying to locate the double hull Waka “Nuku Tai Ao” which departed Wellington 1st bound for Waitangi.
 If you are in contact with anyone onboard this vessel please ask them to contact Maritime Radio VHF CHL 16 or The NZ Maritime Operations Centre 0800     MARITIME (0800 627 484) 

Nga mihi
Raukawa Comerford
NZ Maritime Operations Centre
0800 MARITIME
Fax: 04 914 8334
email – maritime@kordia.co.nz