Tamaki Makaurau – Tamaki, desired by hundreds for it’s rich resources.
Ace “da man” & The Race
Kia Ora Koutou, Kia Orana Katotoa!
Welcome to celebrating Ace’s ever lasting contribution to waka ama not only in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) but also in Aotearoa (NZ).
The 2012 race is shaping up to be a formidable one as people use it as a gauge for competing in Vaka Eiva, the worlds paddlers assimilate back in to club teams to compete and last year’s trophy winners come back to defend their titles!
We also have an offshore team coming from Tonga, Nuku’alofa Outrigger Canoe Club – thanks to Owen Pau’u influence and desire to uphold the mana of Ace from those beautiful tropical shores. Tautai Outrigger Samoa have made enquiries about W1 as well. So people international competition is coming!
To add to the event, everyone will be racing the other way this year – from Tamaki to Birkenhead! The change of race course acknowledges the relationship Ace and Louise have with the two clubs that host this annual event – Tamaki & Aratika.
“Ace Race includes everyone”
Supporters can also buy a seat on the voyaging waka to view the race. Please check the website for more details as there will be a cut-off date for payment and booking numbers pending.
Day 2 of the event will be run from Birkenhead and everyone is encouraged to come and support the development of paddlers from the novice to the tamariki.
Saturday’s meal and prize giving will be held at the Ponsonby Sailing Club, Westhaven Marina.
Entries are now open online click on the enter now logo to enter: 
Day 1 – Saturday 27 October 2012
Tamaki to Birkenhead
Tamaki Administration Office
Set up in the St George Rowing Club
Kings Road, Panmure Wharf
RACE PROGRAMME
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Friday, 26 October 5pm – 8:30pm |
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Saturday, 27 October |
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7-7:30am
7am to 8am
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Teams to collect Race Packs for Saturday racing
Please be mindful of other users of the public ramp |
| 7.45am | Blessing and acknowledgements |
| 8.00am | Race Director – Briefing |
| 8:15am9am 9:15am | W6s load up and paddle out to the designated start areaWomens’ Race StartMens’ race start |
| 1pm (tbc) | Prize Giving & Kai @ Ponsonby Sailing Club, Westhaven Marina |
Ace Race– Day 2
Programme
Sunday, 28October 2012
Birkenhead Terminal
Hinemoa Street
Birkenhead
$25 to race Sunday (If you have already raced Saturday)
| 6.30am -7.30am
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Ø W6 and W1 Waka Final check into Rego to confirm onsite.Ø Safety Check. All team bring their own safety equipment.
Merchandise, Refreshments, Food and Coffee 2Go will be available for purchase
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| Events: W6 = one gender or W6 = mixed gender (3 men /3 women) | |
| 7.30am | Race Director – Final Briefing |
| 7.45am 8.00am | Blessing Load out Rangatahi (kids/youth) 5yrs – 10yrs |
| 8.20am8.45am | Start of Rangatahi (kids/youth) W6 race - 500m – 1000m Load out W1 and W2 |
| 9.00am9.15am | Start of W1/W2 - J19yrs plus Men and Women - 16kStart of W1/W2 J16 years plus Men and Women – 8k |
| 9.30am9.45am
10.00am |
Load out W6 Intermediates plus Race start W6 19 years plus – Distance 10Km
Race start W6 Intermediates and J16 – Distance 5Km |
| 11.30am | Prize Giving and Kai – Birkenhead Terminal (on site) |
All enquiries to:
Name: Deborah Misiuepa
Email: acerace2011@gmail.com
Mobile: 0221 034 450
Website: www.acerace.co.nz
The beginnings of Ace’s Race
It had been merely hours earlier that we’d put Ace to rest in the bosom of Papatuanuku but the feast that followed and the opportunity to catch up with people and share some more memories and laughter was great.
So in to the night we continued to reflect on this great man and our own paddling ambitions and from this time of brain storming and dreaming the idea of a memorial race for Ace emerged. It has since evolved in to the race that is now taking place.
A group of dedicated people met regularly to get the wheels in motion and pretty soon the race course was realised and a catch phrase that encompassed the two clubs that Ace helped establish. From Aratika to Tamaki is the course route and the two characteristics of these places Chelsea Sugar Refinery “Sweet” and the very tidal mud banks of the Tamaki estuary “Dirty” added to the already very meaningful concept of the race itself.
The race route also gave the steering committee the opportunity to showcase Tamaki Herenga Waka, Auckland the place desired by many by giving the Maori name and meaning of places along the Waitemata and Tamaki estuary. The sharing of this historical information came from Orakei Water Sports whose very foundation is that of tangata whenua, Ngati Whatua ki Orakei of Tamaki Makaurau.
As many will know, Ace gave hugely not only to senior paddlers but in more recent years and increasingly to the youth. He led several campaigns to take teams of young men to compete on the international stage at the world sprints and at regional and national races. It was therefore a natural progression to incorporate a junior event in the weekend’s races to pay tribute to his dedication to the paddlers of the future.
The other special and unique opportunity that this Ace’s Race presented is that of connecting beyond Aotearoa. As we all know, Ace’s whakapapa (geneology) extended to that of the Cook Islands and in recognising this the Cook Islands Outrigger Canoeing Association in Rarotonga are dedicating the Junior sprint races to Ace at the Vaka Eiva annual event in November 2011.
We were so blessed to have the space in time to share and get to know this extraordinary man. May we be lucky to leave as much of a positive impression as he has when our sun sets and we take our final hoe.
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