Kawerau’s crossfit day out
9 December 2014
FIRMIN field hosted Kawerau’s Rangatahi tu Rangatira Crossfit event on Saturday, which offered an opportunity for all ages and abilities.
Te Whiri Kawai partner and competitor Bob Austin said the event was the brainchild of Te Whiri Kawai youth workers collective.
It aimed to promote and encourage health and education to Kawerua’s rangatahi and rangatira.
Registrations began at 10am with a wero (challenge) by Hamu Hudson before the competition started at 10.30am.
“The challenge to the community was around health and fitness and giving a commitment to make regular physical activity part of their everyday lives,” Mr Austin said.
He said the event featured a diverse range of ages, from teenagers to one person aged 73, along with competitors of all abilities.
“It was about having fun, getting fit at the same time, and getting our local people involved in an event that would entice them to continue – or just have fun participating for the day.”
The 70 competitors were spurred on by a vocal and supportive crowd, which encouraged every competitor to complete an activity no matter how long it took. Competitors supported each other right up to the finish line, he said.
Competitors were kept hydrated and fed with sausages patties, eggs and onions served throughout the day, plus fresh fruit and water, he said.
Mr Austin said the day would not have run so smoothly or been possible without awesome volunteers and Kawerau Cross Fit for its work behind the scenes.
The event was supported by Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Health Education and Social Services, Manna Support Services and the Social Sector Trials, along with Youth Guarantee students from Te Wananga O Aotearoa.
Competition winners
– Rangatahi division
women:
1. Melissa Tuhoro 2. Nikita Koia
3. Mac Pryor.
Men:
1. Aaron Te Riini 2. William Warbrick
3. Turoa Peita
– Rangatira division
women:
1. Vanessa Skipper 2. Mihiata O’Brien
3. Mihaaro Sisley.
Men:
1. Liam Wade 2. Allan Chisholm
3. Duane Tauranga.
Source: Whakatane Beacon