Waka Ama
Waka ama is a passive sport that is enjoyed by paddlers of all ages. The aim of waka ama is to paddle your waka as fast as possible and be the first across the finish line.
Waka ama is open to all students at Avondale College, we currently have a boys team, a mixed team and a girls team.
Boys and Mixed Teams
Training sessions are Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3.30pm – 6.30pm at the Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club situated at the Te Atatu Boat Club, Bridge Ave, Te Atatu.
Previous Results
2009: Senior Regatta Division 2, Mixed: Plate Final: 1st
2009: Junior Regatta Division 2 Boys, Championship Final: 2nd
Team name: Nga Kakano: Jalen Mamea-Etuata, David Etuale, Jonathan Gatoloai, Jesse Rex, Lucan Goliath.
Calendar 2010
6th March – Auckland Secondary Schools Senior Regional Championships – Orakei Basin
13th November – Auckland Secondary Schools Junior Regional Championships – Orakei Basin
Hyperlinks:
College Sport http://www.collegesport.co.nz/sport/zone/70/waka-ama
Waka ama NZ http://www.wakaama.co.nz/site/
Contact details:
Teacher in Charge: Mr J Anderson: anr@avcol.school.nz
Coach: Mrs A Anderson
Support staff: Mr J Rogers, Mrs J Crawford
Girls Team
In addition to the boys and mixed teams, Avondale College also has a girls’ Waka Ama team.
Two members of this team have also been selected for the J16's New Zealand Womens Squad based in Auckland: Tamara Taka-Brown and Alyssa Jean Savelio. They are also members of the Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Clubs J16 Womens Crew, Nga Taitamaahine o Waitakere, who won a gold medal for the W6 1000m Sprint and a bronze medal for the 500m Sprint at the recent Waka Ama Club Nationals held in January 2010. Alyssa Jean also won a silver medal for the W1 singles 500m sprint.
Joining a school team gave them a taste of Waka Ama, they joined the club, committed themselves to many hours of training both on the water and off and have been very fortunate to be taught by top coaches.
Avondale College Girls Waka Ama Programme:
Auckland Secondary Schools Senior Waka Ama – Term One (Years 11-13)
Auckland Secondary Schools Junior Waka Ama – Term Four (Years 9&10)
These regattas have two divisions: Division One for experienced paddlers and Division Two which caters those with little experience, and is like a ‘have a go’ section.
National Secondary Schools Waka Ama – Term One
Two age groups: U16 and U19.
To attend this event you must be a competent paddler. Individuals and teams will be assessed by the coach.
How do I join Waka Ama at Avondale College?
Listen out for the sports notices at assemblies and read the daily notices to find out when to sign up. Everyone is welcome. All we ask is you come with a willingness to learn a new skill, that you are committed to trainings should you decided to join the school squad and keen to work on your fitness in your own time.
Training Sessions
The Girls team trains on Monday and Thursday 4pm - 5.45pm, Te Atatu Boat Club, Bridges Ave, Te Atatu.
First training session: Introduction to waka and its different parts: Water Safety, Date set for flipping drill.
Sessions 2 – 6: Technique drills – How to paddle, use of arms and body, working together, Introduction to race plan – start, middle, finish for set distances. Explanantion of the role each person plays in the waka.
Sessions 7 – 10: Technique drills continue with more intensity, confidence begins to grow.
All gear is provided, paddles and life jackets. At each training session students are asked to bring a towel, change of clothes, water bottle, snack, hat, jandals and a positive attitude.
We offer all students the opportunity to join the Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club with whom we have a Link Agreement. We are very fortunate to have the use of their club Waka to train on. They also provide coaching support and workshops.
If you require further information please call in to see me during interval or lunchtime in G7.