Waitākere Waka Ama Outrigger Canoe Club
Re-location proposal March, 2017
Page 1 of 18 1. Introduction
WAITĀKERE OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB or WAKA AMA WAITĀKERE Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club (WOCC) was formed in 1991 by a small group of passionate people. Two six-man wakas (outrigger canoes) were donated to the West Auckland community after the 1990 World Sprints that were held in Auckland. Twenty six years later, Waitākere Outrigger Canoe Club (WOCC) has shifted from catering to senior paddlers to include a focus on youth development. 70% of the total 149 club membership is made up of junior club members from a diverse range of backgrounds both socially and economically. Our junior paddlers age from 6 to 23years.
As well as its members, WOCC cater to many schools, workplaces, tertiary education settings and novice paddlers from all parts of our community. Providing expertise, resources and support that enables our community to get out onto the Waitematā and experience their environment in a manner that enhances their appreciation of the truly spectacular resources in West Auckland.
Today we have grown our club to include eight six-man wakas and one two-man, our focus to develop our youth into great paddlers on the water and great people on land has remained steadfast. It is this focus that has seen Waitākere as a club achieve medal glory in a number of national Waka Ama Regattas for our junior and senior paddlers, including the national sprint and long distance championships, but also international honours with our J16 boys the current world champions in their age group, after collecting gold and silver medals at the Sprint World Champs held in Sunshine Coast, Australia in May 2016. These successes were built off the back of many extremely passionate and committed champions amongst both the waka ama community and the West Auckland community as a whole. This success has contributed to many of our young people attaining the top sportsperson awards at their schools and experiences off the water which in turn has increased our junior membership and the profile of the sport of Waka ama in West Auckland.
With growth, having our own site has become a priority for our club. We currently lease a space in the furthest point from the water within the Te Atatū Boat Club, which has at times tests Page 2 of 18 relationships between our clubs and members. As such, we are at the mercy of their restrictions which hinder the club and the growth of the sport Waka Ama for WOCC and for the Auckland region as a whole.
Cognisant of this we have prepared the following Relocation Proposal that outlines the plan/ s and the benefit to both WOCC and the local community as a whole with a public space to launch sea crafts of various shapes and sizes at all-tides, visible to the public and will cater as another starting/finishing point along the planned Te Whau Pathway walk/run.
2. What is Waka Ama?
Waka ama, or outrigger canoeing, is an international sport that was (re)introduced into New Zealand in the late 1980s. The sport has grown considerably since that time, with about 60 clubs now involved throughout the country and national events such as the National Sprint Championships and Secondary School Championships each attracting over 1500 athletes. Waka Ama is run nationally by a governing body (Ngā Kaihoe o Aotearoa) which has a close relationship with SPARC. There are also regional associations to which clubs must be affiliated. Auckland’s regional body is the Auckland Region Outrigger Canoe Association. For more information see http:// www.wakaama.co.nz and WOCC’s own website http://
Page 3 of 18 www.waitakereoutrigger.co.nz
WOCC is the only waka ama club in West Auckland – i.e. serving a catchment exceeding 170,000 people. The club is the largest of Auckland’s 15 waka ama clubs and one of the 5 largest nationally. WOCC has enjoyed considerable success over the years at national and international levels.
Regrettably, waka ama does not have the profile it could and should have. There is still the impression amongst “lay” people that it this is a recreational/ social/ cultural past-time. It is in fact a large, very serious and competitive sport. To achieve in the sport athletes require dedication and long training hours, as in any other sport.
At the same time, waka ama does offer considerable attraction as an indigenous sport, and as a sport that caters for male and female, from 8 years of age to 70+.
Waka ama has a considerable whānau quality, whole families often involved if not all competitively, as coaches and managers.
Waka ama has two distinct parts – sprints and long distance paddling. Sprints are over short distances of 250m – 1500m, held on sheltered laned courses, such as at Lake Karapiro – venue each January of the National Sprint Championships.
Long distance races vary from 10km up to 30km+ and are held in more open, including ocean conditions. Generally,
Page 4 of 18 long distance paddling is practiced by senior paddlers, with all ages involved in sprints.
The waka ama itself is a 6 person canoe (called a W6) of fibreglass construction. The canoe is 14 metres in length and weighs, on average, 150kg. Including the ama (outrigger portion), the canoe occupies an area of 35m2.
3. 3. Existing WOCC Club Site
Our club site is situated within the Te Atatū boating club. It is roughly 400m2, and right at the back of the boat club. Basically it is the furthest part of the club to the water. We have three trollies that we have to use to transport our W6 waka from our compound to the water, which is 200m plus away. Our current setup does not allow us to have tables set up, to have meetings or to even chat. Once we have returned the waka to the compound, we have to meet outside of the club.
Page 5 of 18 WOCC currently has eight W6 waka ama.
The other major waka ama type is a single person canoe (W1), of 7 metres length and 16kg. WOCC has four W1 waka ama and many more are individually owned by members.
The club also has one two-person (W2) waka ama, with a number of others individually owned by members.
W1 and W2 waka are stored on racks.
Generally, the club’s junior paddlers train after school, from 4pm – 6.00pm, Monday to Thursday. Seniors train from 6pm. In weekends, trainings occur in the mornings, from 6.30am. The club trains every day, including a “novice night” on Fridays. Overall, training times are set according to when paddlers can be present (school and work commitments), and the availability of club waka.
Page 6 of 18 4. Site Requirements
To be able to conduct its activities safely, and to adequately train for the sport, there are requirements which are below divided into “essential” and “secondary”.
Essential Requirements
(a) Canoe storage area. Club canoes, particularly the W6s, must be located in a secure area proximate to the water and of sufficient size to accommodate the club’s canoes. Space is also required for the waka road transport trailers (two) and at least a small storage shed for safety gear. In order to accommodate growth of the club and an increased number of canoes, an area of 500m2 more or less is required. Note below the requirements in respect of access between this area and the water’s edge.
(b) All-Tide Access to the Water. As noted, training times are fixed, but of course tide times are not. Generally, high tides at a given time one week mean low tides at the same time the following week. In order to access the water at all times required for training, access at low tide is required.
(c) Safe, Sheltered Access to the Water. An associated issue is that the W6 canoes are large and heavy – particularly for juniors. They cannot be safely carried for distances of more than a few metres. For this reason, canoes are transported to the water’s edge by a two- wheeled trolley. Accordingly, there needs to be a “hard surface” access from the canoe storage area to the water’s edge. This requires either a (boat) ramp or a pontoon. Sheltered waters in the immediate vicinity of the club site are required for safety reasons. Novice and some junior paddlers are not confident in conditions that can occur for a significant percentage of the time in “open” locations
(d) Space for the Club to Grow. Our club’s vision is to be the largest, most successful waka ama club in NZ. To achieve that vision, we need space to grow.
(e) Funds for expansion or re-location, setting up costs, etc.
(f) Environmental Impact – Effects on the Natural and Physical Environment
(g) Parking for vehicles – space for 25+ vehicles close to the club site is necessary.
(h) Access to toilets Secondary Requirements (i) Central Location to Catchment
(j) On a Bus Route
(k) Range of Paddling Conditions. For sprints and junior training calm, sheltered water is required. For long-distance training access to rougher water conditions allows for practice in conditions likely in races. Having close access by water to these varying conditions is a requirement if paddlers are to be properly trained.
Page 7 of 18 (l) Minimising conflicts with other water users. Generally, paddling/ rowing sports do not match well with motor boats, particularly fast or very large boats. Congestion also creates issues, including safety issues.
(m) Sufficient space on the water for at least two lanes and turn buoys for sprint (turns) training.
(n) Space within the club site for future facilities such as clubrooms/ storage-gear shed and enclosed storage for waka ama.
(o) Minimise conflicts with neighbours. Waka ama is not a noisy sport, however neighbours can be concerned simply about large gatherings of people, cars, etc.
5. Sites Investigated
The alternative sites investigated include the following (see also indexed on the map and photos in Appendix 1 – photos taken in low-tide conditions).
1. Te Atatu Boating Club (Photo 1 attached) 2. Taipari Strand (Photo 2) 3. Selwood Road (Photo 3) 4. Taikata Sailing Club (Photo 4) 5. Wharf Road (Photo 5) 6. Covil Park (Photo 6) 7. Archibald Park (Photo 7) 8. West End Rowing Club (Photo 8) 9. Bridge Avenue (Photo 9) 10. Peoples Park (Photo 10) 11. Hobsonville Airbase (Photo 11)
Page 8 of 18 6. Bridge Avenue Proposal – New Waitākere Outrigger Canoe Club Site - Option 1
The WOCC New Site proposal involves reclamation over a presently mangroved area at the end of Bridge Ave, as in the sketch below.
Public Access Area
WOCC Site
The proposal involves a 1400m2 reclamation area bounded by a timber sea wall, with a floating pontoon for water access. A small storage shed is also shown.
The northern part of the reclamation would be a public access area. Public with small paddling/ rowing craft would be able to access the floating pontoon direct.
The southern part of the reclamation would be a fenced WOCC area. Fencing is required for security reasons.
Our expectation is that, once completed, the reclamation area would be in Council title as a recreation reserve, with a nominal lease of the WOCC area back to the club.
With regard to environmental impact, this area was originally used for water access – the remains of a boat ramp still exist. However, over the years the area has silted up and mangroves have grown. The area is not seen as having significant environmental values, however a full environmental assessment would be carried out as part of a resource consent application.
The location is well separated from residential areas. There is an existing on-street public carpark. Page 9 of 18 It is not considered that the proposal will affect any existing water users. The adjacent Te Atatu Boating Club are aware of the proposal.
The total cost of the reclamation, to a final grassed area standard, is estimated at $250,000, with an additional $30,000 consenting costs. Funding assistance is being sought for the initial consenting stages. We are also still in the process of putting together a plan for a club room at the sight which would be an additional $100,000 +.
Page 10 of 18 7. Covil Avenue Proposal – New Waitākere Outrigger Canoe Club Site - Option 2
The WOCC New Site proposal at Covil Ave has not been researched as comprehensively as Bridge Ave, however it is a site that would fit all of our requirements and more. We would need a fully fenced, lockable area of 500-600m2 for the storage of our waka, and a new club room which would store all of our safety equipment, paddles, etc.
It has good access to all water conditions, there is a lot of available area for the storage of our waka, there is good parking, we would not be intruding on any neighbours, it is walking distance to the bus stops and has access to public toilets.
The issues with this area are, - There is a steep slope to the water’s edge (noticeable in the picture to the right) - Considerable work required including dredging through mudflats and mangroves to obtain water access - Estimated cost $350,000+ which would include a pathway to the water, a fully fenced lockable area for waka storage and a club room.
Page 11 of 18 6. Analysis of Site Options
A weighting has been applied to each of the site requirements, as follows (0 being unimportant, 10 being critically important).
(a) Canoe storage area. Weighting 10 (b) All-Tide Access to the Water. Weighting 10 (c) Safe, Sheltered Access to the Water. Weighting 10 (d) Space for Club to Grow. Weighting 10 (e) Costs for establishment. Weighting 10 (f) Environmental Impact. Weighting 10 (g) Parking for vehicles. Weighting 8 (h) Access to toilets. Weighting 7 (i) Central Location to Catchment. Weighting 7 (j) On a Bus Route. Weighting 6 (k) Range of Paddling Conditions. Weighting 6 (l) Minimising conflicts with other water users. Weighting 6 (m) Sufficient space on the water for lanes/ buoys. Weighting 5 (n) Space for future facilities. Weighting 6 (o) Minimise conflicts with neighbours. Weighting 6
Page 12 of 18 The following table assesses how well each site performs in relation to each identified site requirement, on a scale of 0 – does not perform at all to 10, ideal performance, and multiplied by the requirement’s weighting as above. Note: in some cases the score is a “best guess” given uncertainties, for instance in relation to arrangements that can be made for secure waka storage and assumptions such as space that would be allocated to the club.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O Total
Bridge 100 100 100 100 10 20 90 70 70 54 54 54 40 54 42 958 Ave
Covil 100 100 100 100 10 20 60 70 70 54 54 60 40 54 50 942 Ave
If funding and environmental concerns were able to be resolved, the Bridge Avenue option is the favoured option in meeting the requirements of this club, however the Covil Ave would be sufficient also.
Page 13 of 18 APPENDIX A – SITE OPTIONS INVESTIGATED
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Photo 1 Te Atatu Boating Club
Photo 2 Taipari Strand
Photo 3 - Selwood Road
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Photo 4 Taikata Sailing Club
Photo 5 Wharf Road
Photo 6 Covil Ave
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Photo 7 Archibald Park
Photo 8 West End Rowing Club
Photo 9 Bridge Ave
Page 17 of 18 Photo 10 Peoples Park
Photo 11 Hobsonville Airbase
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