On the 4th of the March the RHS Waka Ama team competed in the Canterbury Secondary School Sprint Champs. 

Several other teams were entered so we had very fierce competition, this involved schools such as Burnside, St Margaret’s, Ao Tawhiti, as well as many others. 

For the W6 race (six people in each waka) we entered a mixed team and two girls teams. 

The mixed team and one girls team won most of their races and placed second in their finals. For the W12 race ( 12 people in each waka ) we had a mixed team as well. 

Although there was no straight final this team gained the fastest time of the day. 

Overall everyone did really well and put in heaps of effort, and as a result we all enjoyed our day. 

We would like to thank Mr Harlow and Nicky for their hard work as well as the Waitaha Paddling Club and Te Waka Pounamu clubs for running and organising the event.

Team Members:

Mixed: Jack Barham (13EM), Andrew Fordyce (13SN), Alana Hillary (13SN), Samuel Gamble (13IT) and Kathryn Lee (13HW).

Girls: Mavis Togia (13BW), Na’itoto Faitotonu (13KD), Grace Sua (13BW) , Emma Ah-Lam (12SH), Liga Sua (11PL), Tamarisi Vonsanibola (13GA).

Girls 2: Kate Reilly (11DN), Chany Brenssell (12GA), Cailin McVicar (9BE), Sian O’Connell (11DE).