Pilot Bay served up the kind of morning organisers can rarely count on, as the Canoe Racing event at the 2026 Zespri Aims Games got underway in Tauranga on Tuesday to glassy, calm water.
Mauao stood watch over the flat conditions for most of the day. Just under 100 intermediate school paddlers, all year 7 and 8 students, took to the beach off Pilot Bay to race in the kahawai event format. A light onshore breeze did eventually arrive, but not before the fleet had made the most of clear skies and still water.
This event doesn't have a reputation for good weather. This year broke that pattern entirely.
The field included established Canoe Racing New Zealand club paddlers, others who came from canoe slalom or canoe polo backgrounds, and a good number who were simply recreational paddlers trying beginner skis for the first time. Racing ran across individual events, with two heats followed by finals, before moving into three-person team relay races.
Full results are available through Canoe Racing New Zealand.
This is the fifth year the kahawai format has run at the Aims Games. Organisers want to hear from anyone who attended, whether paddler, parent, coach or spectator, to help shape the event as it grows. A short survey has been put out for that purpose, with organisers noting that responses feed into planning and also help show the event's value to sponsors and funders.
Photos from the day, taken by the official Aims Games photographer, are being shared on Canoe Racing New Zealand's Facebook page.
Looking ahead, year 7 paddlers are being encouraged to return next year. Canoe Racing New Zealand is open to supporting schools or regions wanting to grow kayaking at that age group, or any age group.
Canoe Racing New Zealand is also keen to help run more regional events in this same format, and schools or regions interested in getting involved are asked to make contact.
For year 8 paddlers moving on from intermediate school, the pathway continues through the Secondary School Kayaking Championships. Next year's edition shifts to Lake Pupuke in Auckland, scheduled for 10 and 11 April. It's a sprint event with straight line racing alongside a long distance race, and Canoe Racing New Zealand supplies all the equipment.
