I'll be there - Sounds good to me.

03-Dec-2008

KC - As will the miti boys.

03-Dec-2008

JR - Just psyching these Gisborne ones up now.

03-Dec-2008

Anon - Bring on the 1man distance racing.

03-Dec-2008

MB - I think that it's about time that someone brought this up, I fully agree with Troy, we need to attend and support as much waka ama events during the year as possible to keep the sport interesting. However, I do have an issue with the timing of most of these races, scheduling races (especially marathons) before the Nat's is unrealistic in terms of mass attendance. Also, there needs to be more of an incentive to attend races throughout the year (i.e money prizes or coveted trophies) and also a guarantee that the top teams make a committment to attending. Racing novices is not productive, especially if you are travelling fro afar. Furthermore, I do believe that there needs to be more prestigious events organised for the junior category. This will effectively create a flow through to races scheduled throughout the year. Thoughts?

Chur

03-Dec-2008

Anon - It would be nice if there was more organization to the races in NZ. In Hawaii they have a long one-man season, then sprints, then some iron races mixed with changeover races, finishing with the long changeover races. The progression makes sense and it makes it easier to train and plan for.

03-Dec-2008

Kingi - Good call bro. Be cool if we had a six-man series, that would be cool.

03-Dec-2008

Bean Counter - As a Club Bean Counter it all comes back to money - this allows clubs or regions to host events and organise support boats etc but the problem is where are we getting the money from? We would all love to give prizes and money ones at that - One race that did have prize money was the Te Houtaewa Surf challenge - the moneey for that was the entry fee from individual registrations - being pooled and then divided for the first 3 place getters. Sponsorships had to be sourced for everything else. Hard Yakka for volunteers to pull together as most of us have real jobs. Things will get worse with the recession we are feeling the pinches now in our region - a number of clubs are finding it difficult to hold a regatta for lack of finances.

03-Dec-2008

DB - I personally would like the Nat sprints moved forward to allow more long distance racing in warmer weather. I appreciate there are issues surrounding moving them.
But to me it would make sense to go from a sprint season, to a singles season, to a iron six-man and relay season. Guys can do their own work between the sprints and six's with the singles. Then we all hit the six-man season in form and have some real good racing. And it is warmer! Regional 10km races should stay as training to get us through the winter or to bring novice crews/paddlers into our sport.
Thoughts?

03-Dec-2008

LOL - I agree DB. Plan the races so that it all builds to the top W6/10 races at the end of the season. Have Sugarloaf in summer too, not early spring-that could be a really choice race in warmer conditions. I also think that earlier W1 races should have a long and short course so that novice paddlers can get the experience and build their fitness. Sprint Nationals are too much of a focus. Move them back a month or more. Its a lot of fuss over one weekend of racing.

03-Dec-2008

Anon - How bout finding that challenge south of Taupo and come to Wellington 30 May 12/25km race in Harbour around Matiu/Soames Island.

03-Dec-2008

A - Right on! Always good to keep supporting our sport. I think a good place to maybe begin focusing on is the rangatahi. It would be great if clubs would push for their kids to begin participating in the marathons to keep the momentum going. I think that it begins to get taxing on the same 'ol people attending these races year after year. The young ones are the ones taking over the sport when we are all old and shrivelled up lol. Just a thought

03-Dec-2008

bleh bleh - old and shrivelled up...........funny!

03-Dec-2008

Hoff - Hey Troy
And all the Goodyear boys
We are looking at coming to as many of your North Island marathons in the 09 season and giving you North island boys a run for the money.
Biggest downer to me and a cple of my team is we dont have the numbers this year for the 09 sprints (I think some of our guys have paddled themselves to near death this year ha ha )
Im sure though we will be a force again at the Marathon events.
It would be great to see as many of you guys(teams) journey down South and compete at some stage .We need to showcase the big teams down here too. Two big events we hold are the Ice breaker in Dunedin(end of may early June) and the Kaiteriteri marathon in Nov.
Some of the North Island teams have already been to Kaiteri and were blown away by the beauty of the place .
and the marathon too
So Troy I see you as the ambassador of this sport so ill be counting on your support in advertising and building support to get the teams down South.
Hoff (Te Awahaku)

03-Dec-2008

goldless girly - Great Troy, we need sponsors and its really hard that we have to wear our uniforms (boring) at a national sprint, what sponsor would give you money to wear nothing on them? no- one, - its also hard to understand what a region means?? - it would be good for the NZer to have a transform of what Hoe Tonga Pacifica? means - yes its (Wellington region) and we wear the Wellington colours, Black and Yellow - at the moment we have a sub of a sub crew of a sub tribe what ever you want to call it and it is getting harder as we have so many clubs - more clubs than paddlers? to many options for paddlers to jump ship? and when your potential paddler (young one) has been pushed here and there they go back to rugby or netball to focus on a goal in place The All Blacks or NZ Silver Ferns. But, yes it would be good to get a Waka Ama/Outrigger series going - the waka race calendar is good However, a need for more solid events during the year is growing quite wery at present.

04-Dec-2008

Anon - Well if you bring the long races into summer and throw the sprints somewhere else than maybe we will get more paddlers attending the long races sprints are all fun and games lets get out there and do some long yards the guys over in Aus and Hawaii will smoke us at long distance and y? Take a look at their calendar's lots and lots of long distance racing lots of changeovers its because they know when to hold races around the hotter times are the best because you want to paddle and it will get us use to paddling in hot conditions how many of us NZ's go and paddle at the Super Aito or the Heiva not much about a handful of people its because we dont have the races building up to them like 20-30km on W1 is the target we should be setting maybe start with the W1 and W2 Series in November-April and then the sprints in the winter i dont know have a think about it.

04-Dec-2008

AROCA - lets try for 80 W1 at King of the Harbour, 30km circuit in Auckland

04-Dec-2008

Paul - Hoff, Would be awesome if ya had a challenging 9man race down there. im sure we would come down for that. We only have 1 1/2 9man races in nz. Takapuna and maybe Hauraki hoe. Lets keep the hauraki hoe going and pop up a few more around NZ. These races are great. teams must have aan escort boat. thats safety covered. And you can either have long or short changes so they cater for most paddlers. These races are the most fun. more mates with ya and you get to rest during the race. cant get mush better than that.

04-Dec-2008

DB - Fair comment from Hoff, We can't expect the mainlanders to travel up here if we aren't going to do the same for them. I do believe that if you brought the Kaiteriteri race into the summer marathon season, around march? Make a good 50km nineman course a good 30km iron six and a good 20km oc1. Then you have an event that would get us down for a long weekend. I'd take a day or two off for that. 'Ice breaker' just doesn't have a nice ring to it. I had heard rumour also of a oc1 Cook Straight crossing. Oh yeah! bring that on.

We are starting to get a good number of long OC1 events that we can all easily support. If we can 1 of those in each main area then it is far on all. and from there we also need the same with the six-man events. Event if they are run by each region?

04-Dec-2008

DB - Gold-less Girl,
I agree that we need to encourage our younger paddlers through the sport. They are strong in the sprints, but generally know nothing besides that. I find it strange that we will let a Silver Back race, who has a chance of heart attack. But wont let a youngest in their prime compete at the same level. We need to have a clear path that people can see. You start at regional events and sprints. Then build to the longer premiere events. I'm also for Club teams, then regional crews, then National selected teams for internationals. Again so guys can see if they do the work they can get up the ranks. Just like you would have in rubgy. We need grass route racing, but we also need elite racing for guys to aim for. Otherwise they jump codes.

04-Dec-2008

Anon - NKOA, I hope you guys are taking note of this thread.

04-Dec-2008

Crazy Mum - Great comments. The seasons definitely need adjusting to suit all (or the majority), its a pity NZ isn't warm all year round aye! We can only compare to a point with other countries.

I agree - support the events and get out there, in a recession time like this its the clubs and events that will suffer. Raising the bar of the events also means raising the costs, especially since funding agencies are tightening their belts. So paddler support is critical. Help them with sponsorship options to help boost events. Don't be afraid to offer your ideas and help to the event organisers either.

Train hard, paddle hard and see you on the water.

04-Dec-2008

Alex - (This is not an official nkoa communication, just my own personal comment)

Just move the sprint nationals a few months that way, it sounds so easy, but in reality it is not.
There are many constraints, availability of venue, holiday period for juniors, etc, etc

To make changes like the ones proposed below, we need more then just 20 comments on a website to jump into action. There are 3000+ paddlers in New Zealand, what about the 2980 that haven't spoken?

If the paddlers of New Zealand want what is being proposed here, then I suggest they you go back to your clubs discuss it amongst your members, come to some agreement with the other clubs in your region and bring a draft proposal to the next NKOA meeting (via your regional rep).

Get a some real ideas down on paper, get some real numbers backing it, and NKOA will take notice.

04-Dec-2008

goldless girly - Thank you DB, still nothing planned for the NZ National Long Distance? Why not? I remember the day when Chris Kelson sorry spelling his name wrong - sorry mate, would invite other countries and it was awesome - maybe we need to get a NZ Marathon crew together as we do for the world sprints? Most sponsor's would be happy to pay out for a NZ team. 6 of the fastest W1 what ever you need to do to get the winning team together regardless of your age male/female paddlers - send them off to the big races get a name for ourselves so other countries will talk about us as we do them?

04-Dec-2008

LOL - We know that it will be hard to move sprint nationals. No debate there. This is the beginning of a conversation that needs to continue at all levels - local, regional and national. The question is what can we all do to help Waka Ama grow and evolve as a sport? Change can be like pulling teeth sometimes but just because something is hard doesn't mean it's wrong.

04-Dec-2008

Lets move forward - I seriously see the benefit to our sport to move the sprints. The fact that no one does any racing till the sprints are out of the way kills so much of our warm weather season.

So what are the main issues surrounding moving them? Getting the venue at another time of year and the juniors being in school and possible having exams? What else do we need to consider to move them to another date?

I think that we need to look at the entire year and see what is best where. It makes no sense to be doing a relay race in May when the water temp is starting to drop away. But it is maybe a good time to be sprinting? Maybe we start an W1 season before Christmas, then do our relays when it is HOT and then six'x marathon and then hit sprints when the days air temp is still warm but the water is cool.

I also think that we have to consider international events. Those in ozzy are good to hit as they are just at the end of our main season. Those looking to hit the Molokai or Havaiki Nui will always have to do the long winter build up. There is no getting around it. But having the main OC1 season in May for Hawaii is just at a good time for us as well.

Just thoughts. But lets not have this same conversation each year. Lets have a serious look. Hopefully even the NKOA Exec can have a good look at it for us. We are hoping that they will be leading the way in doing the best for our sport. Not just keeping the status quo.

04-Dec-2008

KC - You're right Alex in saying that the 20 odd paddlers who have posted their comments cannot speak for the entire paddling community, but what alot of us have noticed is that over the last year, several threads have talked about changing/modiyfying/expanding the race programme for NZ.

Now I am not sold on the idea of sprint nats moving from its time slot in the calender period. I think the current venue and paddler availability makes thisa a popular event. But what about the Long distance Nats? Is this to be the "poos cousin" to the sprints? Look at this years LDN when only a fraction of crews who are capable of competeing turned up.

But I do believe along with many people on this thread and more importantly within the paddling community as a whole to look at building our capability. I would be very interested in seeing/hearing if the committee is looking at reviewing the racing in NZ (race distances/variations of racing- costal OC1/2 interchanges and down wind runs). I do honestly believe the commitie has done well, but I would like them to challenge us all by pushing us to the next level. Yes the there will be ongoing issues surronding money for prizes/sponsorship, costs etc. But that is something that can be managed.

Again I say that this is starting to be a common theme, and I really do hope we are not talking the same topics in 3 years time. I again express my thanks to the NKOA committee and regional areas for doing a tough job as it is. But lets not plateu here, but push the boundries to go the next level up.

04-Dec-2008

inter - The only way we can have an international event is by making it worth while. Our biggest event is a harbour race. What other countries would travel miles for that. Event organisers need to target close countries like Aus or Cooks.

04-Dec-2008

Anon - Just a thought. Does the national body run the sprints. Why dont they run the marathons. That alone shows that Nkoa is more worried about the sprints. the natioanl body focuses on the sprints in Jan and then maybe the world sprints. So if they put a bit of attention into building marathons in NZ everyone might be happy. Otherwise we're stuck with our one big sprint event.

04-Dec-2008

Rak - Guys if you ask me every other race should just work around the sprint nationals you cant win against it. It is by far the biggest evet in N.Z nothing comes close to it. Every one turns up to them. Kids adults and every one gives 100 percent.It is realy to find who is the best corse nine times out of ten who ever win thoze manily wins every thing else as well so just get over it and on with finding other date for the up coming long distance sesson.

04-Dec-2008

Anon - I agree with 'Lets move forward'-by sticking the sprint events in the middle of what could be a distance season, the sport suffers. There is a huge dead period before sprints where the weather is great but there are few races because everyone is training for sprints. Serious training for sprints and distance events are very different-you really can't do both at the same time, and it's the distance races that suffer-look at LD Nationals this year. This is supposed to be the Distance National Championships-beautiful location but where was everybody? Let's do what's best for the sport and the athletes, not what's easiest. Paddlers need to start speaking up. A little imagination and initiative is all that's necessary to change things for the better. Accepting things as they are will leave us exactly where we are now-well behind the rest of the paddling world.

04-Dec-2008

Old Kiwi Paddler - There seems to be a call for more "Official" long distance regattas. By that I mean more NKOA input.
The reality of it all is:
The National Sprints are an ICON...if it ain't broken don't fix it.
Years and sweat have gone into perfecting it. The holidays are why it is there and at that time. it also takes into account "Other" paddling codes National...just in case they want to come on over and have a go.

The fact that Waka are supplied at Nationals means not having to Tow Lots and lots of Waka through out the country.

You hard core long distance paddlers must have the money to do all this travel, heck there is accommodation, food, entry fees, support boat organizing and FEES, a days lost wages either way (Fri or Mon). Who's vehicle is going to tow the Waka and those costs. Can your club spare a waka while you are gallivanting around the country... no actually I mean seriously racing and gaining good skills.

And now you are talking about attacking the Australian and other International races. You must be well off.

The realistic side is.... Financial constraints, and safety. It is a nightmare to bring all keen paddlers together and put them out there in open water. How many support boat crews have the skills. We will need training there.
There is so much to get into place before committing more than we as a sport can give.

There is demand and our Kaihoe are screaming out for the long distance to be taken more serious from NKOA.

NKOA has to put everything into perspective.

WHEN THE NATIONAL LONG DISTANCE NATIONALS HAVE THE NUMBERS... LIKE THE SPRINTS DO, THEN THE ENERGY WILL FLOW.

BUT TO CATER FOR THOSE NOISY FEW.... WOULD BE A MISTAKE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SPRINTS.... That's where our world champions are born into the world of competitive Waka Racing. BUT YES THEY NEED TO TAKE IT FURTHER...LONG DISTANCE FURTHER.

A compromise would be a 10km and 25km on Karapiro. Make use of that Sunday at the end of the National... sorry no party for the hearty long distance folk, Sat nite:-) 5am start and stagger starts at 1 min intervals. Regional teams only...at the beginning then if it takes off... let those hundreds of Waka be towed the length of the country, so that the hoards can compete.

Anyway... that way we get a long distance title at the sprints. It does not cater to rough sea skills but it gives those that want summer races a taste and title to chase.

Keep up the dialogue there are awesome thoughts happening. All are right... because they are born of frustration and passion.... from you up and coming world long distance champions.
These people will set our standards and train our next generation of paddlers.

04-Dec-2008

Anon - the national body does supply canoes for the sprints. Only by renting from the clubs. Maybe if they rent for the marathon nats you might get the turn out your looking for. But the nat body does not want to run the marathons and supply canoes. It wont happen over night. but a little attention to it and it will build for the years to come.

05-Dec-2008

Troy - Hi Guys,
Got some passion! I like it. Some great thoughts being put forward and definitely something to continue dialogue on.
(rumour has it that Corina will be hosting a meeting to discuss these sort of issues at this years Sprint Nat's. If I'm wrong she will have to now. :) sorry Corina, so come prepared).

My main drive was to say to the guys that are into the longer Oc1 races, and that have been calling for them, that we now have got a good bunch on the calendar. But we need to support them. Otherwise they will drop off and we will be back to having conversions on "i wish there were more races". The six-man season will start to flow on from them I believe.

So get behind them, Do your training, so you don't finish the race and say "next year I'll train properly". For those that want to lift the National level of Marathon racing either six or one, then these events are the way to do it.

I hope to see as many of you that I can, at as many as I can make. Get out there.

05-Dec-2008

Anon - Do you know what would be fun having Long distance while the sprints are on that would be fun i dont know how it would work but i can just imagine it :) Adults while the kids are racing it would be the prefect time for long distance racing

05-Dec-2008

DB - You physically can't do both disciplines at the same time and do them both justice. Either you are doing explosive sprint work or endurance. I've never known anyone to be able to peak for both at once. And no offence, but I'm not keen to be racing up a long flat river.

05-Dec-2008

Anon - 3km sprints thats short sharp and fun and paddling on a flat lake would make it a more challenging but owell just a thought...

05-Dec-2008

Waiting for race 31 times too - This is so the wrong forum but the "add comment" link as gone from TPOTI Regional Regatta page. Anywayz any idea when the Regional W1 paddlers will be put out. I wouldnt want us to miss deadline.

05-Dec-2008

TJ - The majority of our club members are distance paddlers and being from the south island its a mission to make it up North, but what we would like is to have a set date and location for Long Distance nats like it is for the Sprints. Auckland would be the place as its the cheapest place to fly to and there are plenty of waka.
So instead of having 2/3 months notice we would have a whole year like the sprints,Wakafest and Takapuna this makes it easier to budget organise crews and train etc.It definatly feels that the LDN is an after thought and has to fit in around the sprints.Another thought is could the sprints be in the april or october school holidays??
Its good to discuss these issues.Some of us like to be on the water for longer than others and we know what works overseas why cant it work here???

05-Dec-2008

Fix it. - I support TJ in that. Sort out the seasons and then fix a date for Nat Marathon. Not sure about the same spot every year. I quite like getting around.

05-Dec-2008

Haka Hula - Just around some History - during the 90's there was strong youth development in the Tai Tokerau region - we had some really strong Youth teams - J16 and J19 Men and Women teams who entered the Long distance races Maui kjeldsen entered the Hauraki Hoe at age 14 after signing a waiver. Gregg Brightwell and his Juniors did some awesome racing at Whangara(Mareikura in those days). The current Herberts on Tour team cut their teeth on the Sugar Loaf and Hauraki Hoe now they're competing in the Molokai and Hamilton Island races. It's about Youth Development - Most of the Tai Tokerau Youth were in those days encouraged to complete Surf Lifesaving quals and to be open ocean savy. Leave the National sprint races where they are (Youth Programme Goals for Tai Tok youth)- Run Long distance at the same time if you want who said everyone had to go to the sprint nationals?? so what if there are long and sprints at the same time. It means that you can choose your discipline.

05-Dec-2008

Old Kiwi Paddler - Kia ora Haka Hula,
You said it in a nut shell when you said "STRONG YOUTH DEVELOPMENT"
Tai Tokerau did amazing work in their youth development programme.
This good work has filtered through out Aotearoa and the world in so many positive ways.

As a reciplican of these benifits Many yeras down the road...a big thank you to all involved.

Your youth prodigies have gone on to be the role models that have made a big difference to how Aotearoa paddlers are seen internationally. They have bought much Mana to our sport ...and shores.
You hit the nail on the head when you acknowledged the skills that Surf Life Saving had to offer.
Your success is partly down to your risk management skills and huge insight.

You found youth with enthusiasm and you allowed that enthusiasm to grow...but with direction. Very good direction...
Excellent direction!

You people have so much to offer the Paddling community.... you have a programme that worked and that can be applied through out this country.

You researched what skills were needed and then you searched out those that had the skills ....but who could actually teach and pass on these necessary skills... and in a friendly environment.

You also made it a SAFE learning environment.

Even though it took off at rocket speed you wre able to keep it all under control.

The base of enthusiasm is now huge and needs to be contained, yet has to be allowed to grow without being stifled.

That ain't going to be easy.

The comments on this post are calls for help, assistance, direction..even if they do appear/sound like demands.

So...lets not just allow anyone to step up to the plate.
Good intentions are worth squat if safety is compromised.
....and long distance paddling comes with it's "Challenges"
That is why it is now so popular. Our youth now need to increase their skill levels. NKOA need to meet these needs.
NKOA needs to take direction from those clubs/regions that have supplied the international paddling world with excellent paddlers.

Tai Tokerau has done that, ... Surf Lifesaving NZ has done that...
MeanDNA has the skills too...so does Corina.
(all regions are doing their best)

Lara and Charmain have history running successful programmes... so the skills are there...just finding time to bring it all together to do it all justice.

The skill base on the National body is freaky strong. However, this is all unpaid ... and these people also have time consuming jobs and other commitments.

It would also be great to be seen to do something...before it is too late.

How do we bring this altogether
Rather you than me... hehe

05-Dec-2008

Anon - The thing that spints has over long distance for the younger generation is to tell you the truth it more spectater friendly they can see the whole race from start to finish and its explosive young people just love that sort of stuff and it shows with the turn outs at each nats. I,m more of a long distance man my self but i love the nats sprints az well it brings every one out of the wood work this event.

06-Dec-2008

Anon - but thats why we take juniors over to race in places such as Rarotonga Vaka Eiva and they just get hammered from countries like Australia and Cook islands lucky Tahiti was not at this years Vaka Eiva but owell stick to sprints but just remember why we dont get good results in the long distance Internationally for juniors that is so how about juniors stepping up to the mark and taking on some of these W6 races because the only way teams can better is if they have other junior teams pushing them along because if your racing just opens and theres one junior team in there they will give up straight away because you know youve won the division so step up juniors come on bring some competition to the longer races anyone can handle 1000m and 1500m how about 10-30km??? see you at the next race.

06-Dec-2008

Anon - So we,ll be seeing you at the National Spints since thats the next race.Why dosent Rarotonga or Aussie jounyers come to our sprints thats rite because the shoe will be on the other foot then the only ones that can stick it with our jounyers in srints is tahiti but then your jumping into a whole diffrent seen there they paddle all there races rudderless we cant even get the adults to do that let alone the kids so do we follow them since they are the best in the world at both sprints and long distance.

06-Dec-2008

A - This is real funny stuff. Sounz more like people are bored of sprints, especially those who have been around for a long time or have gone to the top and have no other challenges. the question at hand though is the sports sustainability, however, i think people are still hung up about the turn out of the LDN.
which i must say was a slack turn out. from a previous comment its understandable, its not a set annual event, its fitted around every other race, so its hard to plan to go. if its a national event, it should be a priority race.

All other long distance races, people just need to make an effort in going. yes finances are hard at times, (i know), and its cold and you get a lazy bum and want to stay inside by the fire eating your boil up on the couch watching shortland st, but if its what you love you make it happen.

if your bored, get a race going, like i see the OC1 ocean series....mean! we are all in control of this sport, we all have the ability to create as many fun and exciting races as we want. complaining and waiting for someone else to do it, will not solve anything. I know you are all action heros! lol.

And lastly, comes back to sustainability, get to the races and start bringing our young wons along to the marathon races. Give back to your club, its not all about you, its about our kids now.
Peace owt haha.

06-Dec-2008

A - oh and don't forget, its a bit slower this year, because ummm....we had the world sprints which was all the way over the other side of the world that cost everyone their house, marriage, kids and the dog.
it will pick up momentum again...waka is the end and all of everything, can't stay away for long, its addictive, i'm pheening already lol...thats it i'm off for a paddle, gotta get a fix lol.

06-Dec-2008

Old Kiwi Paddler - The Molokaii is the Long Distance World Champs. It is in the same place every year until someone else can run it...take the helm.

Tauranga is the most popular long distance race in Aotearoa. It is the only Long Distance Race with serious consistant numbers.

It is run annually and ....why not make that our National Title Regatta???

It fits the bill, It has all the hallmarks of a good race, it has the numbers... so why not make it a Long Distance National title affair??

How do the Tauranga people feel about having National Titles decided every year at THEIR event?

How do other regions feel about the Tauranga race being the National Long distance Championships.

I am not saying this should be... I am just putting feelers out there.

I am acknowledging an existing race that..in my mind... fits the bill.

If someone from NKOA reads this...can you please give this some consideration.

Some of the pro's for having LD Nats in Tauranga
- it is an existing Reggata
- it is a popular event
- it has years of history...most good
- it is an annual event
- less work and headache for an over worked NKOA
- cheapest accomadation and lots of it
- has access to open sea as well as in harbour

Some Cons
- it is so far from everyone
- other regions may be put out
- can get pretty ugly in gross weather

06-Dec-2008

xtsea - should do a long distance rudderless series :D thatll be mean :D

06-Dec-2008

Anon - Yea i,m all for that will be a good build up for the long distance nationals since thats all rudderless wat do you guys think it would realy help for the ones that are wanting to go over and do the super aito as well Lets do it i say Aussie are already starting to get into it.There starting up there own rudderless events. Even in Hawaii these more demand then ever before for the rudderless canoes lets not get left behind. And one good thing about it most people in N.Z have boats that are more suited for this sort of event.

07-Dec-2008

Anon - Trust me we aint getting left behing with rudderless. All we need is our regions to work together and get one big hard race in each region. A 1man, 6man and 9man race in each region should give us alot of variety. Just need the regional bodies to back it and the paddlers in the region to back it up most of all. That will build paddling in NZ.

07-Dec-2008

Anon - I for one don't think that Tauranga should be the LD Nats race. No offence to the organizers-they are trying to make it more interesting by increasing and varying the events over three days- but the Harbour race is a boring race, unless you like dodging container ships, oil slicks, flotsom and jetsom. The water is flat and pretty filthy. The reason it attracts so many crews is because it is not all that challenging so the skill level of the crews doesn't need to be very high-kind of the Kona of NZ. If they took the race out into the ocean it would be much more fun and interesting. This string isn't about LD nats, though, really. It's about getting out and participating in as many of the races as we can so that there will be more events in the schedule, and it's about having some logic and organization to the schedule/season so that the paddlers-elite or novice-can build skills and stamina throughout the season and be able to focus on one aspect at a time, whether it be distance or sprints, W1 or W6.

07-Dec-2008

Anon - Well the only way to find out if we are not getting left behind in rudderless paddling is to run a series building up to the long distance nats then every one there mite feel more comfortable paddling one in the event as well as paddle 6man is that asking to much of people.Would be an alsome site seeing every one lined up all rudderless it would be N.Z own Super Aito well somethig like that anyway lol!!!

07-Dec-2008