Hot off the waves: what’s happening around the region?

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Items of interest from the two last Hoe Tonga Meetings:

  • New date: 1 Dec: NZ Active Post Waka Ama Challenge
  • New date: 7-8 Dec: Hoe Tonga Regional Sprint Championships (reserve date 14-15 Dec)
  • Mana Super 6 Ocean Challenge: race scheduled for 8 February, interested parties to assist with organising please contact Joern  
  • World Sprints 2014 in Rio: Selection process has now been put in   place, see http://www.wakaama.co.nz/stories/read/1003299
  •  Sanctioning: NKOA have now completed this policy; a copy is to be sent to each club in each region. From November all races on the national calendar have to be sanctioned in order for them to stay on the calendar.
  • NKOA’s coaching  framework: The first 3 modules are completed and will released for trial to 3 groups.
  • LDN 2014 will be held in Christchurch
  • Race course: We started a discussion on possible sites/options for a sprint race course in the Wellington Region; the development of a water storage lake in the Hutt with the potential for use for waka ama sprint races could be promising
  • AGM now on 9 September: clubs are asked to forward names of interested persons to stand for office
  • New technologies: Hoe Tonga looking at the possibilities of use of I-pad app for timing distance races. This was used this year at LDN very successfully; we are also trialling a race tracking system called  Yacht Bot (app).

Full minutes from the last two meetings (click to open):

 

 

A Tribute to James Kiri Hapeta

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By Mere Elkington

My first image of Hawaiiki Nui Tuarua Waka Ama Club was James Hapeta, standing tall as his height would allow, hand screening his eyes from the sun as he watched his rangatahi paddling on the water. He turns to get a better position on the foreshore to view his teams’ possible outcome. In support on his left are Denise, his sweetheart and Regan. I didn’t see the outcome for his team; but it was indicated simply by a “Woo-hoo-hoo” and a beautiful toothy smile, as he did a quick and agile jump – and this encounter was only a session of training. My first lesson learnt, he had a passion for rangatahi participating in this sport of waka ama and his support was dedicated and committed.

I walk forward and introduce myself and for a moment I am caught off guard, as James clasps my hand and at the same time I get planted with a wet sloppy kiss crushed against my cheek, followed by a warm grizzly bear hug that dissipates all my nerves into a laugh. This introduction impacted my impression of James Hapeta, he was always a pleasure to be with and ever since I have known him, he has never made me feel any less than special…..A handsome, happy, humorous, hearty human being, who has blessed my life with his presence, passion and energy for this sport of being Maori – Waka Ama.

For those of us who have walked with you, who have talked with you, who have paddled with you, who have trained with you, who have been coached by you – as kindred spirits of Waka Ama, you will never be forgotten James – in waka you will always be remembered.

He wahi mihi tenei ki a koe – E Koro!
Haere, e nga mate
Haere ki te kainga tuturu
Haere ki too Matua I te Rangi
Haere, haere, haere!

A sad day

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Tenei kua takoto a James Hapeta

Haere e te Rangatira

Just to let you know James passed away on sunday.

He is on Raukawa Marae, Otaki today (Tues 25/6)

Funeral service on Wednesday 26 June at Rangiatea Church , Otaki at 11am

 

“James  Hapeta was a founding member and stalwart of Hawaikinui Tuarua. Through the years James constantly  maintained a close association with the club and was always on  hand to provide support when needed. This would often see James clearing  the track through to the waka on Lake Waitawa, installing racks for W1’s, and  keeping up the maintenance on the clubs fleet of waka in Otaki. He was warm  and welcoming and when you spoke with James he gave you his full attention,  especially if you where talking about paddling, a subject James had a very real  passion for. This passion was also what led to James playing a significant  role in developing waka ama in schools within both the Otaki and Levin  communities. At the time of his passing James held the position of  Chairperson of Hawaiiki Nui. On hearing of the news one club member was heard to  remark that James was “one of the good guys who will leave a void in his  passing”. A fitting epitaph for someone who held, and will continue to hold, a  very special place in Hawaikinui Tuarua  Waka Ama ki Otaki.“

Our love and condolences go to Denise and the whanau.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hikoikoi 7’s – Matariki 2013 Regatta

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HIKOIKOI WAKA AMA CLUB
Date: Saturday 29 June (Sunday 30 June postponement date)
Cost: $7 per paddler
Distances: 14km & 7km
Start time: 9.30am
Must provide or arrange waka prior to event and waka can be stored at Hikoikoi overnight from 3pm Friday 28 June

14km Open/J19 Mens, Womens, Mixed
SS/Canoe/Kayak are welcome to enter this distance

7km Novice & J16 (course designed for new paddlers and whanau groups) 6 paddlers are required along with 1 x runner who can be under age of 10 years (experienced steerer a must) *knowledge of the stars that make up the cluster of Matariki will be beneficial to complete race

7km SUP (will be run at same time as Novice and J16 should you wish to do the 14km as well.
Further information will be provided – Entries Close: 27 June, Thursday
Any enquiries contact: hikoikoiwakaama@gmail.com

Results for Winter Series Race 2, 16 June at Ngati Toa domain

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welly paddlers 3

One of the biggest ones yet! A great crowd today with over 50 entries: 19 W1, 12 Skis/Kayaks, 17 SUP and 1 W6. A big thank you to everyone that supported this event.

We experienced some interesting and somewhat rare conditions today, with little wind but a decent groundswell resulting in some breaking surf at the bar in Plimmerton.

Today’s race saw a course set from Mana to Tokaapapa Reef and back, with one lap for the SUP and two laps for all others.The expectation was that the surf would settle down relatively quickly given that the tide turned 1.5 hrs before the race start. However, as the crowd made its a way out of the Mana channel, the surf was still up by quite a bit (with the odd set rolling through), which made it challenging for less experienced paddlers and those with less suitable craft (despite there being almost no wind). A number of people retired early.  (In the results DNF also indicates those that assisted in rescues – a big thank you.)

Many will have loved today’s condition, but we acknowledge some concerns from less experienced paddlers and those with craft less suitable for surf conditions. We acknowledge your feedback. In the future, where conditions require it, we may set two courses to suit different craft and abilities.

At the same time we would like to remind people of their responsibilities also. This includes carrying a life jacket (and other relevant equipment such as bailers for outriggers) and having the ability to self-rescue or to be able to roll. Moreover, each person needs to assess his/her own ability. In some cases this may mean pulling out in light of the conditions.

Note also that everyone must have a life jacket! Click here for more details.

Click here to download the results.

Note that we also tested a race tracking system at today’s race. This turned out to be a little challenging with an unreliable internet connection at HQ. Out of 5 people that wanted to take part, we were able to track 3 (the others may have had their apps turned off but we will work on sorting this out for the next race). Click here to check out the race.

If you like to take part next time, follow the following instructions: How-to-share-my-tracker-with-my-club: boat-owner-instructions

Race 2

The next series event will be on 7 July, to be held either in Wellington or Petone, to be confirmed. The location of the race means that the course is unlikely to include any surf, although there is unlikely to be a shortage of wind.

See you on the water…

Winter Series Race 2, 16 June at Ngati Toa domain

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The second race of the series is coming up this weekend. Details can be found here: http://www.hoetonga.co.nz/?p=3538. The race will be in Mana at Ngati Toa domain, and there will likely be a couple of course options: one long course for outriggers and surfskis, and a short course for SUP.

The long range forecast is looking ok for Sunday morning, with 10knot winds. Let’s hope it holds.

welly paddlers 3

One more thing:

Are you keen to review your race after it’s all finished? Are your partners tired of having to wait on the beach while you race? Want to make them part of the action and get an America’s Cup view at the race course? Here is how:

Hoe Tonga is trialling a race tracking system and we want you to take part at the winter series race on Sunday at Ngati Toa domain. Basically, competitors can use their smartphones (eg android and iphones) to track their craft, and supporters can follow the race on an ipad or similar tablet on the beach. You can also review the race once you have had a hot shower. A screenshot of an example below (we trialled it with a couple of people at the first series event on 26 May).

yachtbot

What you need to do before race day:

  • You will need a smartphone, such as an iphone or an android device with GPS, and you need to be on a data plan (so that your phone can transmit your position while you race).
  • Before the race (i) register an account on the yacht-bot web site (go to http://www.yacht-bot.com), its free, (ii) download and install an app called “Yachtbot Sailing Tracker” (no cost), (iii) register your YachtBot app with your new account, and (iv) add “hoetonga@gmail.com” as your contact. You are best to do this by Saturday as it will be busy on Sunday morning. You can call Joern on 021-1250997 if anything is unclear.
  • On the morning of race day, make sure your phones are charged fully.

On race day: Bring along your device, and see Joern at registration so that he can make sure you are all good to go. Bring a waterproof bag and carry the phone on you or your boat when you race.

If the above instructions are not detailed enough, have a look at the following:

Supporters: Bring your tablet with a decent screen (at least 8-inch screen). You will need a G3 connection (or use your phone to connect to the internet with your tablet). Go to the following address to follow the race (or review it after racing has finished): http://www.yacht-bot.com/races/2552 (it will go live at 9am on Sunday).