Introduction to Kaipara College Waka Ama

Welcome to Kaipara College Waka Ama

The following information has been collected to help new paddlers and families navigate around training and Waka Ama events.

Your Waka Ama Support Crew:

Israil Foreman (Teacher in Charge/Head Coach) – Email: iforeman@kaipara.school.nz​​​​​​​

Meghan Oliver (KC Sports Coordinator) - Email: sports@kaipara.school.nz

Coaches - Israil Foreman, Ryan Cooper, Nicole Stokes, Nicola Reynolds, Jacob Lees, Niko Stokes

Trainings:

Trainings are held on the Kaipara River. Our access is from the Kaipara Cruising and Sportfishing Club 84-86 Mill Road, Helensville (opposite Forge Fitness - Helensville Gym. Driveway beside Mr Pizza).

We are governed by the tide for training which means we train fortnightly during term time on the Kaipara River. 

Training is usually after school, beginning at 3:30pm or before school at 6:30am. The duration of training is approximately 1hour 30mins. Paddlers usually walk to the afternoon training and paddlers walk to school after the early morning training. Showers are available at school.

The monthly Schedule Training will either be able to view on the Tu Tangi Ora website (visit the training tab) or it will be emailed out to families. 

Parking - Please be aware Kaipara Cruising & Sportfishing Club have kindly donated our Clubroom and Storage area for all our waka and equipment. Their premises are private property. Coaches, Manager and Kaipara College students with Restricted or Full License are required to park in designated areas (please see Jackie Watson if unsure on arrival). All other paddlers that are dropped off by parents, are to be dropped and collected on Mill Road this is to eliminate the amount of cars entering the KCSC. Please respect this request as KCSC members take first priority especially on the weekends.


Kaipara College Waka Ama Events:

We have 3 major Secondary School Waka Ama Events. They are as follows:

  1. Auckland Secondary Schools Senior Sprint Regatta (All Paddlers) 
  2. National Secondary School Waka Ama Championships (Top Paddlers). This is the main event for Kaipara College. Paddlers are selected and will have to trial for a seat. We hope all our paddlers will strive to be part of the teams to achieve selection. A letter to those successful paddlers will be emailed to the parents/caregivers after the “Team Selection Process” is complete.
  3. Auckland Secondary Schools Junior Sprint Regatta (Year 9 & Year 10) 

Bank details for School Events are as follows:

Kaipara College - ASB 12-3139-0002717-00

Please Note: Transport and Accommodation is organised by the school for all Kaipara College Events


Tu Tangi Ora Waka Ama Events:

Kaipara College Waka Ama is associated with the local club Tu Tangi Ora Waka Ama Inc. All Kaipara College paddlers automatically become members of the local Waka Ama Club which gives our paddlers the opportunity to compete in club events throughout the year. Tu Tangi Ora Waka Ama currently have Adult Paddlers, Kaipara College Paddlers and we will be looking at a new intake for primary school paddlers from the Kaipara District in the future.

Those that are keen to compete under the umbrella of Tu Tangi Ora will need to purchase a racing top at the cost of $50. There is an 8-12 week lead time as tops are manufactured overseas. A post via Facebook regarding ordering of Tu Tangi Ora Race Tops will have a link in which you can order.

All events under the umbrella of Tu Tangi Ora are mainly in the open sea, which means our first year paddlers are only able to enter if they have been invited by Israil Foreman. 

Please note: Accommodation and transport will need to be organised by families for all Tu Tangi Ora events.


Kaipara College Waka Ama Team Selection Process:

The system and process for team selection is as follows:

  1. Attendance to training 
    • We understand paddlers have other commitments, whether it be other sport codes or work commitments. With this in mind the criteria is as follows, all paddlers are required to attend at least 70% of all scheduled training. Please contact Jackie Watson via FB messenger or text if you/your child is unable to attend training.
  2. Progress made 
    • The Coach will evaluate progress during trainings’ and recommend areas for the paddler to work on.
  3. Dynamics within a team 
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​It is important to ensure the team, work well together e.g. train hard, commitment to each other, set team goals and achieve team goals.
  4. Makeup and attitude 
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A positive attitude will always lift a team. It may be that characteristic that gets the team over the line first. Turning up with a great attitude will always be noted.
  5. Single Races 
    • Finally, the top paddlers will be selected in a series of single races, in order to ascertain the fastest 6 paddlers.

Please note: There will also be opportunities for movement should individuals prove themselves worthy. No teams are self-selected. We endeavour to ensure the best outcome for everyone.