Fresh from their trip to the Va’a World Sprint Championships in the UK, Raglan West paddlers Wayne Trott and Christine Walters have returned with an impressive medal haul. Winning a total of 10 medals between them, Wayne won four silvers, one bronze and Christine won two silvers and three bronze medals competing in both the single and mixed team events.
. “I was hoping for gold but never mind,” laughed Wayne, adding that other Whāingaroa paddlers came through with gold medals via Conan Hubert and Kaitawhiti Kereopa who won the V6 500m race in the Elite Mens and J19 teams respectively.
Listen to the full interview below: This year’s championships, held at Dorney Lake in Windsor, England, were the couple’s third time attending competitions at the international level having attended both the long-distance and sprint championships held in Tahiti in previous years.
The first time an elite waka event has been held in Europe, Wayne says that it’s great for the sport to get recognition with representation from countries all over the world like Canada, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
Wayne, who has a below-the-knee amputation, first got into waka about eight years ago after chatting to Aaron Kereopa who encouraged him to give it a go. He finds the sport exciting and it provides an opportunity for him to get fit without putting too much stress on his legs.
Wayne’s partner Christine was also encouraged into the sport when Wayne’s paddling team was looking for a replacement female paddler. She picked up a paddle about eight weeks before the competition to, “learn how to paddle and try my best,” and has never looked back.
“Once you sort of catch the bug of paddling, it’s very hard to say no. We’re like a big family. Everyone supports everybody and helps everyone to deal with whatever they’re dealing with around their physical disabilities,” says Christine who is unable to bend her leg due to her knee being removed after a motorbike accident she was involved in with Wayne about 35 years ago.
Wayne and Christine competed in both the single and team sprint races. The para races are made up of different events like single boats, six-person boats and 12 person boats. Each paddler is classified points for their abilities ranging from VL1 to VL4 and each boat must not exceed 18 points. Wayne for example is a VL4, the highest number, so would earn four points on his team.
“There’s a limit on numbers so you can’t stack them with all good paddlers.” He says.
With many of the team members using wheelchairs, the waka have seats with straps that help them stay upright or assist with prosthetics while in the boat.
The pair are pretty chuffed with their recent trip but say that long-distance is their true passion and are currently eyeing the 2023 IVF World Distance Championships to be held in Samoa next year.
Having started paddling in their 50s they say they would have never expected themselves to be where they are now and appreciate all the help they’ve gotten along the way.
“We’re so lucky being in a little town like Raglan. You know, the support out there with our local waka members. It just gives you a whole another level to paddling. Like a lot of it is quite serious and quite competitive and hard work, but that puts the fun element in it.” Says Wayne. https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/298530538_7919817614755641_5194888483981246048_n2.jpeg