Ōmokoroa Dash Celebrates 20th Year with 300 Paddlers

Ōmokoroa Beach is set to come alive with the sound of paddles cutting through water as the Tauranga Moana Outrigger Canoe Club marks its 20th Dash event. Around 300 paddlers are expected to take part in the popular waka ama regatta, which has been a fixture on the wakaama calendar for well over two decades.

The event has had several homes over the years — beginning as the Matakana Dash, then moving to Maungatapu, before settling at Ōmokoroa Domain in 2013. Two main race distances are on offer: a competitive 10km course featuring women's, men's and mixed team races, and a 5km race aimed at juniors, novices and whānau teams. Competitors must be aged 14 and over.

Club manager Rebecca Ryder described waka ama as a values-based sport grounded in whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga. A unique feature of the 10km race is a short beach sprint at the halfway mark, added to keep things lively. Families are encouraged to set up at the domain near the playground to watch the action.

The Ōmokoroa Dash will be held at Ōmokoroa Domain from 9am to 4pm on 22 February. There will be spot prizes and a free sausage sizzle for competitors. The event is smoke- and alcohol-free, and all are welcome.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).