During the October school holidays we took a road trip to Hastings to compete in the National Club Champs and the National Secondary Schools Division 2 Champs for Canoe Polo. After an early sleety start to get to Picton, our ferry was cancelled due to very rough seas. We couldn't get another booking and thought we weren't going to get to the club tournament but finally managed to sail at 10pm. We arrived in Wellington at 2am, then drove all night to arrive in Hastings at 6:30am, snatched a couple of hours sleep, and played our first games that afternoon!

The Club Champs was a huge tournament and a big step up in competition for the boys. After two wins, a draw and four losses, our team placed 10th in Senior Open Div 2.

We stayed at Kinloch for the next few days and explored the sights of Taupo and Rotorua before heading back to Mitre 10 Park in Hastings for the school tournament. We won four games and lost two in the round robin which put us into the playoff for 3rd/4th. Fielding High School really stepped up in our final match and beat us. So unfortunately no medal for us and we came 4th.

It's a big mission to drive all the way to Hastings, but it was a valuable experience and gave our players good exposure to the next level of competition. They are all inspired with big aspirations and much improved skills! Thanks PTA for some funding towards the trip.