It has been a big couple of weeks for the Maia Outrigger Canoe Club.
Seven of the club’s junior members represented Australia in the Va’a World Sprint Outrigger Canoe championships on the Sunshine Coast.
The Kyeemagh-based club represented the area at the regatta, with thousands of paddlers competing from more than 30 countries.
Maia, which means brave and bold in Moari culture, were gallant in the tough competition despite missing out on podium positions.
Eleisha Matenga, Tameika Siakimotu and Tehani Dunn competed in the under-19s women’s events, while Johnson Bell, David Dunn and Zane Matenga represented in the under-16s men’s division.
Tehani also competed in the under-16s women’s event alongside Niana Hawea.
A number of Maia athletes have qualified for the selective Va’a Sprints Regatta in Tahiti later this year.
Several of the club’s juniors are also now in training for the national championships in September.
