Junior Wihongi, 1st paddler in Wainui A

Basil Tuapara, the last paddler steers Wainui A towards the finish line.

Tairawhiti Juniors after a huli.

Wainui Midgets, Tuatini, Marikura and Wainui at the start of a race.

Mareikura paddle power.

Wainui Masters - Tai Morris, Yvonne Phillips, Pauline Robinson, Charlotte Wihongi and Rebecca Hitaua powering to the line.

Mareikura Midgets mixed crew.

A composite Mareikura crew -Alan Brightwell, Keiha Waikari, Taka Mackey, Rewai Williams Rex Waite and Joe Donna lay back after a hard 1000 metres.

Laurie Durand, Director of the Waiariki Purea Trust, brought canoes from Rotorua as well as the Rescue Boat which followed the racers all day.

Tairawhiti senior men pull into the loading bay as the Wainui Junior women begin to load up assisted by Steven Haig the duty loader.

The crew at the start line were: Andrew Poharama with the green start flag, Emma Akroyd with the red flag and Fern Ruru on megaphone.