'A unique experience' – Wakatipu High School competes at Waka Ama for first time

A group of Queenstown high school students are set to become the first from their school to compete at the national secondary schools Waka Ama event.

This year's event in Rotorua, running from March 18 to 22, will mark Wakatipu High School's first appearance at the annual event, which attracts thousands of competitors every year.

Wakatipu High School director of sport Sian Horn says the school's appearance this year came about following an open day held at the Whakatipu Waka Ama Club in November last year.

Horn says a group of Year 9 students - now in Year 10 - embraced the opportunity and are now looking to represent their school on the national stage for the first time.

"They've formed a really strong group of two junior girls' crews that have just fallen in love with it," Horn says.

"They're really passionate, committed, and enjoying the sport, and from being absolute novices back in November, are now really excited about heading along to the nationals this year for the first time."

Horn says the students' participation represents an "awesome opportunity", with the week-long event recognised as the pinnacle of the sport at secondary school level, as well as offering a unique cultural experience.

"It's an incredible learning and development experience for them that they might not necessarily get down in Queenstown or even the South Island," she says.

"The culture of Waka Ama is quite unique. I think it's a really special sport and the tikanga and the mana that sits behind it brings a unique aspect that other mainstream sports might not necessarily have.

"Things like doing karakia before you get on the boat and being part of pōwhiri - we find that side of it quite special."

The students will be accompanied by a group of parents and their coach - Waka Ama NZ board member Frances Piacun.

ACC jumps on board

This year, ACC is partnering with Waka Ama to support the Secondary School Nationals being held at Rotorua's Lake Tikitapu.

Up to 2000 students from more than 115 schools and kura kaupapa across the motu are expected to take part.

Waka Ama chief executive Lara Collins says the event brings together rangatahi from around Aotearoa for a memorable week of paddling and whanaungatanga.

"It's awesome to have ACC onboard to help educate our rangatahi and ensure that they are not only taking part in waka ama for life but for all sports for life."

ACC deputy chief executive Māori Rēnata Blair (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) says the agency is committed to supporting Kaupapa like Waka Ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages.

"I know from my experience, Waka Ama is an awesome week to be part of and we're proud to contribute to the manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (relationships), and oranga (wellbeing), of these regattas."

ACC's partnership with Waka Ama aligns with its new strategy, Huakina Te Rā, which has the vision of Tōnui Ake Nei - A Thriving Aotearoa.

ACC research shows Māori are twice as likely to sustain a serious injury than non-Māori, but 34 percent less likely to make an ACC claim. This is something ACC is committed to changing.

"Our partnership is an opportunity to engage with whānau Māori," Blair says.

'It's the most fun event in Waka Ama' - world champ

Ngatuire Hapi, 20, won five gold medals and two bronze medals for New Zealand at the 2022 Waka Ama World Champs in London, and is gearing up to compete in this year's world champs in Hawai'i.

Hapi (Nō te takere o Te Arawa waka) first competed in the sport at the annual Secondary School Waka Ama Nationals in 2019 - claiming a silver medal in the singles event in the Plate division.

Two years later, the Rotorua student had further success paddling for Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai, claiming a singles silver medal in the Championship division.

For all the global success, Hapi says the secondary school event remains a career highlight.

"It's the only time where you get to race this many people your age," she says.

"You definitely have to do it while you're at school because, to me, it's the most fun race in Waka Ama that you'll ever enter."

For Hapi, it is not the results that matter at the secondary school event - it is the connections that are made among students from schools and kura all across the country.

She recalls on one occasion dancing with students from six other school for 20 minutes after a race, despite her team finishing last.

But Hapi says it was her experience at the school event that also set her up for international success.

"Even though it's a fun race, it's still really good experience and exposure to racing, which is pretty important, especially for racing in sprints races."

Focus on injury prevention

This year's event will also have a focus on injury prevention, with many Waka Ama competitors involved in multiple sports and now gearing up for the winter sports season.

ACC data shows most winter sports injuries occur in May as Kiwis get back into winter codes following the summer season. Most injuries are soft tissue injuries like strains and sprains, with the 10-19 age-group lodging the most claims.

Blair says many of these injuries can be prevented if people take the time to ease into their winter codes with sport-specific preparation.

"We really encourage people to be in their best shape to avoid injury," he says.

"There are simple things we can do to keep us injury-free, including taking the time to properly warm up and cool down, following correct techniques, and including sport-specific exercises in your training."

ACC will be placing its "Thinker" statue at the Waka Ama event. The Thinker is part of ACC's injury prevention focused 'Have a hmmm' movement.

It is placed at high-risk injury locations, encouraging people to think about how an injury can have a profound impact on a person's friends, families, and workmates, as well as themselves.

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