The Waka Ama Sprint Championships is the biggest Waka Ama event in the country (if not the world) with approximately 3500 paddlers aged 5 to 80+ competing over 7 days of racing, with an estimated 10,000 spectators across the week of racing.
From humble beginnings, the sport of Waka Ama held its first National Championships at Lake Karapiro in 1990 with 43 teams representing 17 clubs. The event this year will see hundreds of team competing from over 70 clubs throughout Aotearoa and some of the Pacific Islands.
The event commences on Sunday 12 January 2025 with a Powhiri led by Karapiro mana whenua, Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua at 8am followed by Taitamariki (aged 5 – 10 years) racing.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are for junior (aged 5 – 16 years) racing, Wednesday is single waka (W1) events and Thursday, Friday and Saturday are team racing dates for those under 19 and adults. Adaptive (Para) Waka Ama events will take place on Wednesday (W1) and Saturday (W6). Corporate teams will take part on Friday 17 January.
The full race programme can be found here
