Braddah Mel's Surf Meet 2011

Coreban SUPCrossFit Noosa giveaway 2011 Brad Mifsud .wmv

CrossFit "Diane" (scaled)

Sup Surfing Sessions Geoff Breen

Hiko Kia Kaha Canoe

Now Pre Selling the Hiko Canoe for the Australian Season.

Contact us or Paddles

E: kiakahapaddles@gotalk.net.au

Cell: 0412 598 929

Paddles

E: sales@paddleshop.com.au

Andy or Amanda

"Our Blue Canoe" Trailer

Fair well our Guiding Inspiration

Guiding Inspiration to young and old

The history of Waka Ama (outrigger canoeing) in NZ

By Kris Kjeldsen

For the Tangata Whenua - the people of the land of Aotaroa, the Maori, the paddle symbolizes a sense of purpose and direction whilst also affirming their culture links with the canoe. All individual Maori ancestry is intrinsically linked with a particular canoe upon which their forbears arrived on the shores of Aotearoa. This provides each person with an essential link back to Hawaiki - and beyond to creation itself.

Being one of the elders of Outrigger canoe building in New Zealand and one of three people responsible for the revival of the sport here, I will tell our story of the history and growth of Waka ama in Aotearoa.

Waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddling was re-introduced in 1995 with the arrival of the Hawakiki Nui, the replica Polynesian voyaging canoe built and sailed by Matahi Whakataka (master builder) Brightwell on an epic voyage from Tahiti to Aotearoa. Matahi spent four years in Tahiti building the Hawaiki Nui, during which time he became involved in Outrigger canoe racing, the national sport of Tahiti. He recognized that this would be the very thing to help the youth of New Zealand regain some of their culture heritage and traditions.

Before coming to New Zealand, I had paddled for Kai Nulu Canoe Club in southern California and was also involved for a short time in Hawaii. So when I finally settled in the small Maori community of Pawarenga in the far north of the North Island on the edge of Whangape harbor, (where I lived for about fifteen years) I wondered why there was no traditional Maori canoe racing. On reading in the newspaper about Matahi's intended voyage and his dream to rekindle racing of traditional canoes, I knew it was time to do soothing about it and so I was on the beach at Okahu Bay, Auckland on the day the Hawaki Nui arrived in December 1985.

I met Matahi and told him of my plan to start waka ama paddling in the north and to start building canoes. Matahi encouraged me and told me he wanted to do the same thing in the Gisborne/East Cape area.

With the high unemployment in both areas, especially amongst the Maori people, we were able to take advantage of training schemes funded by the government to start these projects. The people of Pawarenga got behind the project wholeheartedly and made it happen. By early 1987 we had a work-training scheme in place; building canoes and paddles and learning the art of paddling and handling them. Ocean knowledge, surf skills and swimming were very much a part of the program.

About this time, I met a Samoan named Pili Muaulu who lived on the coast near Whangarei. He told me of his father's dream to find a suitable log to carve a traditional Samoan Pao Pao, a small two person fishing canoe. Coincidently I had a friend who had a suitable log in his property who I managed to talk into donating. As a result, our trainees, Pili and his family built the first traditional Samoan canoe in New Zealand.

The training scheme in Pawarenga eventually evolve into Nga Hoe Horo O Pawaregna (the fast paddles of Pawarenga) Matahi's group in Gisborne became Mare Kura Canoe Club. Pili's extended family formed a club called Mitamitaga Ole Pasefica Va'a Alo (pride of the pacific canoe club) of Ngunguru. These three clubs along with one other in Okahu, Auckland represented the original four clubs of New Zealand.

In May 1987 at the launching of our first canoe in Pawarenga, a meeting was held to form a national outrigger canoe association. The three founding members of the association named Tatou Hoe o Aotearoa (all the paddlers of Aotearoa), were Nga hoe Horo o Pawarega, Mitamitaga Ole Pasefica Va'a Alo of Ngunguru and Mare Kura of Gusborne. Immediately we started plans to bid for the 1990 IPCF World Outrigger Canoe Sprints.

In July 1987 a team of NZ paddlers, Matahi and Myself traveled to Tahiti to participate in the Turai Festival races. On this trip we gained a lot of experience in paddling and racing Polynesian canoes.

In June 1987, Pili and Myself attended the first international regatta held in Apia, Western Samoa. Whilst there, we spoke of our newly formed association and our wish to host the 1990 World Sprints. When we returned we formally adopted a constitution and elected officers for the association. Matahi was elected as president, Pili as vice president and myself as executive committee.

In August of the same year, teams for Mare Kura and Nga Hoe Horo traveled to Hawaii to participate in the world sprints at Keehi Lagoon, Honolulu, with one men's crew and one women's crew. While there we put in our bid for the 1990 titles and we won the honor.

Much had to be done including the building of a fleet of canoes which was left to me - sixteen, six-person canoes. Although we were supposed to build the newly adopted IPCF hull we had problems in getting it and were instructed by Mary Jane Kahanamoku to "do the best we could with what we had".

The 1990 canoe

We had begun Waka ama with two Tahitian style canoes, which were given to Matahi by Edward Mamaatua. The hull was altered to be as close to the IPCF canoe while keeping in mind the New Zealand ocean conditions. New decks and ama were designed and made.

In re-designing and building the 1990 canoes the over-riding idea was to build for New Zealand conditions, so that the canoes would subsequently be useable for both offshore racing and flat water sprints.

These canoes became the nucleus fleet for outrigger canoe sport in Aotearo. We built them to last and perform and they have. As of this writing they still remain one of the most popular design in New Zealand.

The vast majority of W6 canoes in New Zealand are the 1990 design. There one fault was that they were a little hard to turn, by putting a little more rocker in later models, the turning improved.

As a result of the world sprints held in Orakei Basin in Auckland, which were a resounding success, waka ama was finally and really running. Since then, Outrigger canoe sport in NZ has enjoyed phenomenal growth.

Waka Ama NZ

Moana Nui

I keep you in my heart;

There's always a place for you,

A little, tiny part.

Sometimes it feels that you are near,

Cause a piece of me went with you

And a part of you stayed here.

Sometimes it pierces like a dart

When I remember that you're gone

From ev'ry where except my heart

Thoughts of you float thru my memory;

You are gone but not forgotten,

And that's the way it'll always be.

You were special from

The day that you were born;

You appeared to all of us

A rose among the thorns.

I think of you, and I remember

That inside my heart

There's a place for you, forever. . .

I hold you in my heart.

Pacific voyaging canoe

Something that is very close to our hearts and minds as my brother heads to Hawaii in a couple of weeks to join the crew


http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2011/06/20/video-pacific-canoe-voyagers-land-in-hilo-hawaii/

Friday Night Training! Crossfit Noosa Style

Crossfit Noosa has taken us under there wing in turns of training hard for Molokai 2011. Here is one of the work outs Woogie did last Friday with Coach Daniel Mellor.

Untitled from Jodie Marsh on Vimeo.

Pa'a 'Eono 2011

Cross Fit Noosa

Were the Locals Train

Watch this space

Oiwi Water wear - NOW in Stock

Just arrived

Oiwi Ocean Wear

Hats

Te Shirts

And

More.........

Kia Kaha Outrigger Paddles

NOW IN STOCK

Kia Kaha Outrigger Canoe Paddles.

We are just unpacking two massive boxes of the fresh off the Plane Outrigger Paddles.

We have a couple of different colour and a few Steers Blades.

Photos up soon.

These will be at the National OC6 Event in Mooloolaba 14 - 15 May.

Steers Paddle Clear

MK White Boarder Spray

Colours In Stock

Boarder spray: White, Blue & Red

Tints: Green, Blue, Clear

Ocean Water Wear - Sun Protection

We now know that the SPF in a Sunscreen stands for 'Sun Protection Factor'. A product thats provides 30 SPF means that you can stay outdoors 30 times longer than you could with no sun protection. Keep in mind however, everyone burns at a different rate.

The buzz word in the sun protection arena is UPF, 'ultraviolet Protection Factor' rating in fabric developed by the Australian Radiation Labortory.

eg. Lycra which has an elastic thread enables the fabric to stretch and bounce back (memory). It is woven with nylon yarn, then dyed and softened. The Australian UPF rating goes up to 50+ protection.

Oiwi Waterwear has a light weight 4oz lycra knit that is 100% UV protection, fast drying, breathable and super soft.

The protection may be lessened by the fabric being to close to the skin, if the fabric is stretched, is wet, or worn out.

Rash guards are necessary due to skin abraisions caused by chaffing, but keep in mind, a white cotton t-shirt provides only 5% UPF protection (less when wet)

Remember a garmet only protects the skin it covers. Protect other areas by wearing a cap with a four-inch bill, UV protective sunglasses and sunblock.

With all those areas covered, you litterally will save the skin you're in.

Pure Range

Surf Movies

Movie Night at Goldern Breed Noosa

Last Mission with Laguna Bay

Latest ALB

On the final days of being sign with Laguna Bay SUP we headed up off road with Peter Aitchison and a few of the crew from Laguna Bay SUP.

During the session I got to surf Tully's new secret weapon and this is how it went. Off Tap......... Getting the board on rail.....

I would like to thank Tully for designing and making boards for me when no one else in Australia was making them. Laguna Bay is at the leading edge in regards to SUP and make great Custom High end Performance SUP Boards.

Making Room

We have just sorted the Garage out and now we can fit Makii + Trailer straight into the Garage.

Happy Days

Bluewater Players Closes

It has been a sad sight to see shops close down over the last couple of months and this month we see the Only SUP Shop in Noosa Close it doors.

Stockiest of a number a high quality SUP gear including the Kia Kaka Paddles we see Bluewater Players have closed its door.

I wish Jonathan and the family a safe journey down to Sydney.

Nakula Taste Test completed

Got to try the New Nakula last night and WOW!

We were told to drink it like Champaign as there was only a couple of cases in Australia. Must be served Chilled WOW!

I don't drink much Champaign but I would be drinking this stuff like it is going out of fashion.

Such a smooth Natural taste just like drinking coconut from the source.

After a long busy day a can of Nakula hit the spot.

Thanks Tony for thinking of us unreal drink!

James 'Billy' Watson - Big Waves HD

Good Friend and One of Taj's Hero's

Kia Kaha Wainui Canoes

Kia Kaha Wainui Canoes.

Standard Cost Now $4000.00

Maui Kjeldsen designed the WAINUI to serve as an all-around canoe for the average sized paddler, to be fast on flat water while excelling in sizable ocean conditions.

The Wainui glides in flat water and excels in rough, sloppy conditions as well.

Seat and ama configuration create a canoe that gives the paddler amazing control.

Specifications:

• 20'-10" in length


• 15" wide


• Sit in style seat for extra control


• Ama rides closer to the pivot point of the canoe in comparison to other OC-1 models for extra performance in rough water


• Very efficient footwell drains


• Double bungee storage in the front and back


• Bungee and paddle clip on back deck to carry a spare paddle


• Hull weight: varies depending on lay-up material, starting @ 20-23 pounds

Nakula - Sharing the Coconut with the world

Nakula brings to you the finest selection of organic coconut products sourced from the best farms in Asia. Nakulas premium range is of the highest quality. You will have peace of mind knowing that we are certified organic.

You will feel good knowing that you are helping a child in need as every time Nakula product is purchased a percentage of our profits are donated to assist disadvantaged communities in Asia.

Experience Nakula today!

The Nakula Story

A compelling history....
It was on a surf trip to the island of Sumba that Tony Lemarseny, a dedicated waterman and seasoned traveller, discovered the unique properties of coconut water. His son, who had fallen ill, was given coconut water by local villagers and made a speedy recovery. Tony was determined that every Australian should be able to share in its remarkable benefits. “I have a strong belief in the benefits of Nakula, and a genuine desire to share this with Australians”

Tony Lemarseny

Nakula

12'6 Surf Session

Cooloola Explorer

Thursday night Time Trial

Family Fun 11'6 Coreban