Well done to all Wellington teams that recently participated at Takapuna Cup in Auckland.

Team Kokiri defended their title from last year, again finishing first in the Women’s division.

Mana Menz came second in the Masters division, a great result and improvement on last year.

Team Makaira (photo below) came 8th in the Open division, a good result considering that most team members were new to the change over game and the ‘lost’ support boat. This is a good basis for next year’s event and Vaka Eiva in Rarotonga later this year, we will see more of Team Makaira in the future.

Team Kika from Aniuwaru came 18th in the Open division.

Fantastic racing, thanks for all your enthusiasm!!!

For the results, please click below:

Marathan Results and Points Summary

Sprint Results and Points Summary

ENDS

Another great race day at the Surfski and Waka Ama Series organised by Chester Burt. A great turnout of no fewer than 15 OC1, a record for the Wellington region.

If you are looking at improving your paddling, come and join in at the next race in three weeks time.

Results, photos and dates for upcoming events on www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.com.

ENDS

First things first: Hoe Tonga is missing a couple of green volunteer jackets and three lane numbers that form part of Hoe Tonga’s race resources. If you have found them, can you please contact Joern on 021-1250997 asap. Many thanks.

Results: Click here to access the complete results for the Hoe Tonga W6 Series II held on 13 Dec. They should be read in conjunction with a short ‘REMARKS’ document. Click here to access this document.

Thank you again to all volunteers, without you it would not be possible to  run these events.

Congratulations to all paddlers from Hoe Tonga who battled blustery conditions at our last W6 Regional Sprints (II) before Nationals 2010, particularly the intermediate boys and girls who perhaps had the worst conditions, you were awesome!

Volunteers – the organising committee can not thank you enough over the last 3 regattas the support has been fantastic!  Just to mention a few who have been able to mentor and support the growing  number of new volunteers within the region:
Support Boat Crew – John Hodges, Dennis Ngatai, Dave Ryde, Brendon Comerford and Laurence from Nga Waka
Registration: Katie Townsend, Raukawa Comerford and Mere Elkington
Loading Bay: Averalle and Keith Paenga, Karmen Wallace, Charmaine Matiaha, Chris Fox and Daniel Albert (fantastic commentary)
Finish Line: Marinna Millanta-Lowrey

A big thanks to the sub-committees who have taken on board the task of organising each event which each year gets larger in numbers and provides some exciting paddling : Joern Scherzer, Chris Fox, Katie Townsend, Raukawa Comerford and Mere Elkington.

On behalf of Hoe Tonga keep safe over the break and enjoy time on the water, we will see you all at Nationals, January 2010!

Click here to access the complete results for the Hoe Tonga Regional OC1 Champs held on 5 Dec. They should be read in conjunction with a short ‘REMARKS’ document. Click here to access this document.

Click here to access the full list of quota places for Nationals 2010. Note that some changes may occur where, for example, paddlers forfeit their quota place (where they are unavailable to race at the Nationals) or where paddlers agree to give up their quota places. The relevant process was set out in the OC1 Champs race information package (see previous relevant post).

A huge thanks to all paddlers who participated in our first sprint regatta building up to nationals. A wild southerly greeted all on arrival and the weather didnt improve much during the day so congratulations for showing your skill in negotiating turns and battling the wind read more here………

• Acknowledgments and photos
• Results_1st W6 regional 09
• Survey 09

The survey can be downloaded and returned to htpwaa@gmail.com this will help us plan future events.  Many thanks to those volunteers who give their expertise and valuable time to assist with the running of Hoe Tonga events, you are truly an inspiration to others.

• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints SURVEY
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Event Photos
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Results for 2009
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Lane Draw
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Race Programme
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Panui Two
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Panui One
• HTPWAA – Secondary Schools Sprints Flyer

Reflecting on the regional Secondary School event held at Porirua Harbour on Sunday 15th March 09.This has been a good initiative for the regional body, to have ran an event in support of Secondary Schools and the growth of Waka Ama in these Schools, the day itself was very successful.
Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association is a not for profit organisation we are the regional Waka Ama body here in Wellington, our focus is affiliated clubs. Currently we have twelve clubs within the region.
We would like to hear from Schools. Since running the event it has become evident that many Schools are not in a position to run Waka Ama regatta at this stage, with many Schools the Sport is new to them and a real lack of resources and education regarding the Sport and the options available to Schools does not yet exist.
We encourages Schools, Sports Co-ordinators, Coaches and Managers to work as one to share information so that there is no breakdown in communications and that the focus remains simple – the Rangatahi, our kids and their participation. Feel free to approach Hoe Tonga for information on options available and what to do next with getting Waka Ama underway in your School.
Hoe Tonga would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the following; 

• John Hodges – For your continuous and ongoing support with setting our Lanes.
• Dennis Ngatai & Son – Safety Boat Crew / Caravan
• Alex Ryder – For providing guidance throughout, your mahi is always appreciated.
• Tai Elkington – For looking after & providing kai & drink to our volunteers
  NZ Police for the Caravan & generator
• Greg Jones & Tuhiwai Jnr – providing great DJ sounds
• Louise Cavaghn – Ora Toa Health – Nurse
• Ati Awa TOA FM & Metlink – Adam Harrison for the Advertising
  Maori Legal Services & Rangataua Mauriora
• Club members from TOA, HAWAIKINUI, ANIUWARU, KOKIRI, that stayed all day to help.
• Mere Elkington our Race Director on the day, outstanding work!

A huge thank you goes out to all the 12 x affiliated Waka Ama Clubs that loaned us Waka and other resources throughout the days event. Our volunteers that assisted on the day without your help the event would not have been possible.College Sport Wellington who took care of online entries and for sponsoring medals for team/s.