International Paddling Coach

03/09/2026

Love being a tourist

02/09/2026

We have our free paddle session every fortnight, and this week we’re focusing on race conditioning. These sessions build your race engine, sharpen your starts, strengthen your long stroke, and teach your body how to change gears under fatigue. When you repeat this type of conditioning consistently, you develop better control, stronger acceleration, cleaner technique under pressure, and the ability to finish hard even when your body wants to stop.

4 x 3km RACE PACE
Race start x 6 sets into long stroke
1.5km 6 x power acceleration
into long stroke
2.5km build to finish to 3km
4min rest

6 x 100m race starts ZONE 4-5
3 x 200m race starts ZONE 4-5

Focus every stroke with intent

Race starts: Short, sharp, explosive strokes to get the canoe moving quickly. Keep the rate high but controlled, bury the blade fully, and drive from your hips and legs. After 6–10 strokes, settle smoothly into your long stroke without losing momentum.

Long stroke: Reach forward with rotation, set a clean catch, and load the stroke through your legs, hips, and core. Exit clean at the hip and let the canoe run. Every stroke should feel intentional and efficient.

Power acceleration: At the 1.5km mark, lift your pressure for 6 strokes. More force per stroke, slightly higher rate, but keep your technique clean. Surge, then settle. This teaches you to change gears without losing form.

Build to finish: At 2.5km, lift your pace gradually. Increase rate slightly, keep length, stay relaxed, and commit to the final 500m.

Race starts (100m and 200m): Treat each rep like a real race. Explosive start, settle into rhythm, hold pressure. Zone 4–5 means hard effort — breathless but controlled.

Share this session with your crew, and if you want more structured training, technique videos, strength sessions, and weekly paddling content, sign up to PADDLE HUB on my website.

02/09/2026

Has to get a photo of this

02/09/2026

World Sprints V1 Master 50 Women’s final. I crossed the line in 3rd place — but it wasn’t the race I expected. At the start, I drifted out of my lane. I didn’t see it coming, and in all my years of racing, I’ve never done that before. The moment it happened, my heart dropped. In three seconds I went from calm to knowing the medal was gone. I slipped back to 7th place, and the hardest part was accepting that even if I fought my way back, I wouldn’t be taking home a medal.

But right there, in those same three seconds, I made a choice. I didn’t give up. I let the mistake go and decided to show the world exactly who I am as a paddler. Medal or no medal, I could still race with heart, courage, and pride.

At 250m I pulled back to 6th.
At 300m, 5th.
At 400m, 4th.
At 500m, I crossed the finish line in 3rd place.

While I didn’t come home with the medal, I know exactly where I stand. I’m proud of the comeback, proud of the fight, and proud that I kept going when everything in me could have stopped. This race became one of my favourites — not because of the result, but because of the resilience it demanded. It reminded me that paddling isn’t just about winning; it’s about showing up, giving everything, and leaving nothing behind.

Congratulations to all our wāhine — the Master 50 division has definitely stepped up. It was an honour to race alongside such strong, fierce women. And thank you to Manaaki Made Paddles and Sonic Waka NZ for your continual support. Your belief in me and the craft means more than you know.

28/08/2026

I’m writing this from Singapore, where we’ve just taken GOLD in the V12 500m Open Women’s final. Kaiarahi Toa — 2026 World Champions. Standing on top of the world with these women is something I’ll carry forever.

I was meant to fly out straight after racing, but so many paddlers have asked for coaching that I’m staying on a little longer. If you’re here in Singapore and want to sharpen your technique, build confidence, or take your paddling to the next level, I’m opening up limited coaching sessions while I’m still in town.

Unlock your full potential through expert coaching in:
• Technique enhancement
• Ocean skills & surf awareness
• Body mechanics
• Power generation
• Endurance building
• Speed conditioning
• Strength development
• V1 & OC1 specific skills
• Sprint‑stroke conditioning

Come learn from the 2026 Open Women’s V12 World Champions – Kaiarahi Toa, and from an 8‑time world champion athlete, coach, paddler, mum, and leader. More than 23 years in waka ama, multiple world titles since 2012, and a lifetime dedicated to building strong, confident, technically sound paddlers.

Every session is tailored to the athlete or crew in front of me — your goals, your level, your pathway. Whether you’re preparing for major races, rebuilding your stroke, wanting to understand power generation, or needing clarity in timing, rhythm, and connection, we’ll break everything down so you leave with purpose and direction.

I’ve added a QR code you can scan to see my available coaching times. If you prefer, PM me and I’ll send you the full spreadsheet — feel free to share it with your club or anyone else who might benefit.

Singapore has an incredible paddling community, and I’m grateful to be here a little longer to support those who want to grow. If you’d like to book a session while I’m still in town, email me at [email protected] with your preferred date, time, and vessel.

Let’s build your technique, your confidence, and your performance — from the water up.

26/08/2026

Thanks Manaaki Made for your incredible support throughout my paddling journey — and for travelling the globe with me through workshops, coaching, and international racing. Your gear has been with me from one side of the world to the other, and it’s become an essential part of how I move, train, and work.

I genuinely don’t know where I’d be without my Manaaki Made Paddle Bag. It’s not just a paddle bag — it’s my full travel system. Strong, protective, and designed for real athletes who live out of their gear. The wheels make it effortless to navigate airports, public transport, long travel days, and tight connections, and I can trust that my paddles and equipment arrive safely, in one piece, no matter how far I’m flying.

From Tahiti to Hong Kong, Australia to Aotearoa, this bag has carried me through every workshop, every coaching trip, and every race. Proud to represent Manaaki Made wherever I go, and grateful for the quality and care behind every product.

Check out their website for this great product

26/08/2026

World Champions Open Women W12 500m again!!

🥇Kaiarahi Toa, Horouta Waka Hoe 🥇

Blessed and grateful to be with my team that I started my paddling journey with 14 years ago

Thanks Kaiarahi Toa

25/08/2026

25/08/2026

We did it!! World Champions again!

Kaiarahi Toa - Horouta Waka Hoe
Open Women’s W12 500m

Blessed and grateful a million times over

Thanks Kaiarahi Toa for the call up back into the team ❤️ 🌸

Thank you to all our sponsors, community and family for support!

22/08/2026

Last day in Hong Kong, hit out 7 coaching sessions, even had one paddler come back for a 2nd session that day

Can see lots of happy paddlers, thanks Adrienne Ng of South Lantau Paddle Club for making it happen.

Love what I do

Want me to come to your town, city, country. PM me today and let’s make it happen