I find it really easy to offer help, support and awhi to others. And yet it is always so much harder to ask for help for something for myself. Going to the 2018 IVF Va’a (Waka Ama) World Club Championships, Tahiti Our Crew, Tahu-Nui-A-Rangi, qualified…
Saying YES opens up my world
At 67 saying “Yes” is really important and I’ve been saying “YES” a lot more lately. I am constantly amazed at how my world opens up when I do. It changes everything, I feel better about myself, I meet more people, I go more places…
Off Water Training – Waka Ama Sprints for the over 60’s
Getting fit on my own doesn’t work for me. I can paddle heaps because I am usually paddling with another 5 people and have a commitment to my crew. However, some forms of waka ama, like sprints, require a greater cardio fitness. I’ve done it…
Hydration & Nutrition Critical for Long Distance Waka Ama Paddling
Increase the distance, increase the nutrition Proper hydration and nutrition are critical if you are going to do long distance waka ama racing or doing long distance training. We have an OC6 crew who have been going out for 20 – 25km paddles on a…
What makes a good crew
Waka ama crews in New Zealand are normally 6 people who come together for social or racing events in 6 man outrigger canoes (OC6 or W6). Forming racing crews for waka ama racing can be a challenging task. If you are thinking of a race…
Buying an Ehukai OC1 one man waka (outrigger canoe)
Here I am at 66 buying a brand new OC1. Mad or not, it was a great decision. To translate the jargon, an OC1 is a one man waka, actually a one woman waka (or one man outrigger canoe). It was something that had been on my…
Transitioning to minimalist running shoes
People often ask me what the transition to minimalist footwear was like. There are some common concerns/questions that I hear: I have [insert joint pain here] and I’m worried about the lack of cushioning/support. Will it hurt my feet? Is the transition prone to injury…
Black Bean Bar Recipe
Bean bars have become a running staple for me in the last 18 months and a cornerstone of my “whole food” running nutrition. They are similar in texture to a brownie although less sweet. Rich, balanced and delicious, bean bars are easy to freeze and…
Outward Bound – they say only the tough go in the winter
They say only the tough go down in winter and, having been at Outward Bound for the coldest June on record in ages, I have to agree with them. It was cold. Fortunately I am the sort of person who would take a parachute if…
Vivobarefoot shoes survive the rigours of 21 days at Outward Bound
When I got the scholarship to go to Outward Bound I was told I needed to bring 2 pairs of running/cross trainer shoes. We were warned that our shoes would definitely be getting wet. For some reason I decided to tell someone that I wore…