A letter from our team of Porirua Mums who are Silver Medalists at 2012 Waka Ama Sprint World Championships

Thanks a million for all your help in getting us ready for the World Waka Ama Sprint Championships held in Calgary, Canada.  The PCKC Inano team of local Porirua working Mum’s proved to be a world class unit!  J 

After trials earlier in the year and ranking 3^rd for 500m and 4^th for 1500m out of the NZ open teams heading to the event, we were officially unknown quantities heading to Canada.  An intensive training programme, expert nutrition advice, healing massage and some determination and dedication meant we made huge improvements in performance.  However we still had no idea where we would be sitting on the world stage.

First race for Inano was the W12 500m.  Here we joined forces with an Auckland based crew – Paddle NZ.  With one 15 minute training under our belts(!!) we managed to finish 4^thin the final.  Racing was extremely close and with such little time together this was a good result.  However it still meant we had no idea where we sat amongst the other teams.

Our next race was the W6 500m.  The heat was great.  Here we narrowly got beaten by Hawaii.  However, we were 3^rd fastest over the 7 heats heading into the semi.  Quite a confidence booster.  In the semi we were once again narrowly beaten but still held the 3^rd fastest time overall.  It was on to the final for the showdown.  Here we got pipped on the line and came in 4^th.  Heart breaking!!  However we didn’t have a great start and didn’t let the waka flow like we had been.  The final was our slowest time.  Still a FANTASTIC result.  Clearly the 2^nd NZ crew!  Another NZ crew was 1^st, Hawaii 2^nd and Canada 3^rd.

Onwards and upwards to our W6 1500m.  The turns racing!!  Once again we had no idea how we would go here.  Our turns proved to be awesome!  Once again we held 3^rd fastest time through heats and semis and heading into the final.  In the final we raced our hardest and once again got pipped on the line for 4^th.  The final was our fastest race.  However the team that pipped us ended up disqualified for being over the start line!  Controversy continued when the first team was disqualified for starting over the start line too.  We ended up with SILVER!  Race rules are there for a reason.  We ensured we met them and got rewarded. 

What a journey!  Although disappointing to finish just outside the medals in 2 of our races, we can’t be disappointed.  Amazing results considering how far we’ve come!  Massive improvements and fantastic to be a threat on the world stage.

Thanks Gary & Alofa!!!!!  You guys have been a very important part of our success to date.  Onwards and upwards for team Inano J

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Message from Calgary from the Wakaama World Champs from Marianne Archer

Message from Calgary from the Wakaama World Champs from Marianne Archer.

Live results are being posted on wakaama.co.nz.http://wakaama.co.nz/stories/read/1003040
However, first day of competition Mena and Marianna had heats in the single wakas t

oday and they both won (Marianne is not in that event), and all the girls had the 12 man 500 heat today and they won that also. So that is awesome start and will build their confidence. Most of the girls in the team have names that start with M so it gets a little confusing. 

It’s lovely and warm in Calgary and all is well.

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Marianne Archer is competing in the World Kayak Marathon Championships

That's Marianne out front - of course!

I have been assisting Marianne with her nutrition and conditioning for several years from the time she switched from netball to kayak after a series of frustrating leg injuries.

Despite her being considered "old", Marianne is now the undisputed marathon champion in New Zealand and she finished in the top 20 at the last World Kayak Marathon Championships.  I would be disappointed if she did not make the top 10 this time round.  She has the physical goods and has done the work.

Here is the official website and programme where results will be published.  If I have it right, she is competing on 23rd Sept in the K1 Senior Women.

Messages of support for Marianne can be posted using the "post a comment" tab below this article.

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

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Marianne Archer Paddles Crazyman's Butt

Yes, she sure did: Titahi Bay's Marianne Archer set the opening pace for the 2009 Crazy Man multisports Race, she went on to win the paddling section of the race outright. In 30 years I have never seen this until now - a woman beating the best multisports paddlers in the country (Richard Usher was not competing this year).

This phenomenal performance came hot on the heels of the Porirua Grand Traverse. Doing the paddling for an all woman team made up of my partner, Alofa (cycling) and my daughter, Mary Ann (running), 29 year old Archer cleaned up setting a new women's course record.

I have been assisting Marianne for several months now, helping to get her muscles working well and perfecting her nutrition. Her coach, Mark Watson, is an aquaintance from the days when I dabbled somewhat seriously in downriver racing and multisports. With Mark's superbe coaching, Marianne has come on in leaps and bounds that are nothing short of breathtaking.

Archer is threatening to cause more than a few surprises within paddling circles over the next several months.

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