Waka Taua Salute WRC 2010 Lake Karapiro NZ

The 2010 World Rowing Championships was officially declared open by FISA President Denis Oswald at the Opening Ceremony at Lake Karapiro New Zealand on 30 October 2010. The ceremony program had many features including a performance by the ‘popera’ group Lyrica, and Zach Washer an acrobatic Cyr wheeler showed off his prowess to the crowd.

Most impressive were the local iwi  Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua who performed a powhiri (welcome) which included a haka and wero  (traditional challenge) as well as a karanga (call of welcome) performed by women, waiata (song) and kapa haka (dances).  It concluded with an impressive presentation by 150 waka taua who arrived in four waka to offer their own salute to the officials and spectators.

The flags for the 49 countries represented at the championships were carried across the stage by local school children who were accompanied by representative athletes.  NZ the host country was represented by Mahe Drysdale and Eric Murray.

The New Zealand national anthem was sung by lead singer from OPSHOP Jason Kerrison as the flag was raised and the ceremony ended with  the release of over 2000 balloons and streamers across the lake.

The event has been years in the planning and is the first time NZ has hosted the event for 32 years, the last occasion being 1978.    Among the notable facilities was the construction of the largest temporary grandstand ever in the country.  It stretches 142 metres providing seating for  nearly 10,000 attendees.   There is covered seating for 6000 spectators and open seating for another 4000 with unobstructed views of the entire course and the podium for the medal ceremonies.

The event will run for eight days with more than 800 athletes from the attending countries – the New Zealand contingent numbers 55 athletes  competing in various races.   With a strong history in rowing NZ is hoping to take out a good tally of gold medals.

Lake Karapiro is 35km south-east of the city of of Hamilton. It was formed behind a dam built with the construction of a hydro-electric power  station built in 1940. It is on the Waikato River which starts at Lake Taupo.

Strong winds on yesterday caused the cancellation of some events on day one of racing and necessitated a new schedule to be released by the International Rowing Federation FISA for today and tomorrow.   While there was some disappointment at the need for this, the event is subject to  the whims of the weather gods Matt Smith, Executive Director for FISA said, “Rowing is an outdoor sport.  We have to be ready for all conditions.   When it’s possible to row, we will row.”

However the crowd were well pleased when the first race to open the 2010 Championships was won by the NZ duo lightweight men’s pair  Graham Oberlin-Brown and James Lassche before further events were suspended after another four races.  “We came out pretty steady and we  were happy with how we started,” said Oberlin-Brown.  “It’s good to start things off with a win and to be able to push past France who are the competition favourites.”

The venue is located on the Mighty River Domain, and includes giant screens, shops and live music and entertainment.   There is no significant  public parking space at the venue and park and ride facilities have been set up in the nearby picturesque town of Cambridge for spectators.

Free shuttle buses will run daily between the hours of 7am – 8.30pm.