The best rangatahi from around the motu fight it out for a seat in the waka, but competition is fierce, and the Coaches are faced with some tough decisions.
A behind-the-scenes look at the world of elite waka ama, following the NZ J19 Elite Womens and Mens teams on their road to the 2022 IVF World Sprint Championships in London.
Both the J19 Elite teams have landed in Hawaii and are enjoying the warmer tropical weather that’s on offer. But course familiarization is top priority, as both teams try to adjust quickly to the conditions of Hilo Bay.
With the countdown on to Worlds, the women need to strengthen connections on and off the water. The men are pushed to their limits while one must sit out.
FINAL: After months of early morning trainings, pushing their bodies to the limit, race day has finally arrived. But before the teams can look to the finals, they must get through the heats first.
It’s their final camps before heading over to Hawaii. While the J19 Men struggle with consistency, in Gisborne the ladies lack focus and Gabby give’s them a shake up.
After a competitive trial, the teams are named and they come together for their very first camp. Their journey begins at the Aotearoa Elite Worlds Sprint camp in Karāpiro.