May 2012, Issue 166 - Royal New Zealand Navy

sport
Blue Ocean
Paddling
Story and photograph by Whare Akuhata
Drums - fast, rhythmic Cook Island drums -
beat out as each waka comes through the reef
passage and crosses the finish line. That's
one of the indelible memories Petty Officer Nic
Irvine has of the Vaka Eiva waka ama (outrigger
canoe) regatta in November last year.
"I loved the sound of the drums."
Going out was just as thrilling. Island music
with a modern dance beat would play as waka
after waka would be launched, heading off to
the start line outside the reef.
This was the first time Nic had competed in
Vaka Eiva, the first time she had tasted blue
international ocean paddling. The event held in
Rarotonga is a week-long regatta over various
distances and culminating in the main event – a
36km Round Raro Relay Race. It's in its eighth year
and attracts up to 800 paddlers from around the
Pacific including top crews from Australia, Hawaii,
Canada and Tahiti.
PO Irvine has been in the Navy for 12 years and is
currently serving in HMNZS TE KAHA as the Flight
Deck Officer. The Navy has been a good support,
allowing her to attend Vaka Eiva.
She competed with her Auckland club-side
Waitakere who have raced at Vaka Eiva for the
last three years. She had heard it was a great
event. "Before I went I knew that it was going to
be a lot of paddling and good fun."
Nic had a full schedule of racing, entered in the
18km mixed iron, 12km woman's iron (back to
back), mixed and women’s Round Raro relay races
and the sprints – all six-men waka.
The Round Raro relay is the highlight for many,
Nic included. It's raced on six-men waka with
10 paddlers and a support vessel. Changeover
paddlers wait in the water for the waka to pull
alongside, jump in as change paddlers jump out.
It is a thrilling race that can be quite tactical with
the timing of the changes.
"This was the first time I've paddled a changes
race and I loved it. It was awesome just being
in the middle of the ocean waiting for the waka,
the big swells and waves. Just the mechanics
of it; everybody jumping in and jumping out and
making sure the waka doesn't flip."
Nic is normally a steerer and steering in the
open ocean was another first. "I developed
as a paddler and got my training wheels off
in regard to steering out in the open ocean. I
found out what sort of paddling I like – it’s in
the open ocean."
Nic admitted she felt under pressure when
she was asked to steer. "I hadn't steered a big
race like that before but went with the flow of
it. I learnt a lot of the technical stuff about riding
those waves and the feel of the canoe out there
in the ocean."
She had some experienced steerers to help
her and learnt a few tricks. "Catching waves
was awesome and It was quite exciting paddling
close to the reef where you could pick up better
rides. There was always a danger of getting
smashed by a rogue wave and ending up on
the reef.I took a few chances, went in nice and
close to the reef to try and gain some ground
and we did. So that was cool."
Unfortunately, the rewards didn't include
medals for any of the races but Nic reckons this
year will be different.
Nic had been to Rarotonga with the Navy a few
times but she says the atmosphere of Vaka Eiva
was amazing. "The local people treat paddlers
like gods. Raro was great, totally relaxing. We
enjoyed the ‘no dramas’ attitude of Rarotonga.
Being there with friends and family was great.
The water was a favourite place as well as Bellas
Beach Bungalows where we stayed for most of
the time. The food was great too, iki mata from
Wigmore's store – you can't beat it. Tara Kauvai's
music, Trader Jack’s and the friendly dogs and
puppies we adopted/bribed while staying there.
I even came back with a mean tan."
Nic has been paddling for five years and likes
the traditional aspect of waka ama. "There's
a bond it gives you with the waka family. I
joined because a good friend of mine thought
it would be good for me. Waka ama has made
me a better person. It gives me somewhere
to channel life's frustrations. I thrive off the
mana the sport has and the thing I really like is
the team thing and working together. For me
personally the Navy and waka ama can be very
similar in that respect."
"Waitakere have been really good. There's a
real whanau aspect and they're really welcoming.
They were keen to take me to Raro even though
I'm away most of the year."
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