Paralympics hero honoured at waka ama nationals
A hero of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Pete Cowan has been honoured at the ACC-supported Waka Ama Sprint Nationals and confirmed he’s preparing for another go in four years.
For Para athlete Pete Cowan, there was nowhere else he would rather have received the honour.
Standing in the late afternoon sun on the banks of Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, the 28-year-old from the Hawke’s Bay was presented with his Paralympian pin for making his debut in Paris.
With his wife and two boys in the small crowd at the end of the day’s racing, Pete was given the pin by Paralympics New Zealand chairperson Jana Rangooni at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals.
“It means a huge amount to me to receive this honour, and it’s extra special to have it here,” said Pete, fresh from winning the Adaptive Men’s Final.
“I have a lot of special memories of this event. The atmosphere here is amazing and it’s unlike any other event I’ve attended. To have my Paralympian pin captures the full journey of where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved with the support of many.”
It was a full circle moment for Paralympian No 231.
He was 15 when he was hit by a car while training for the Iron Māori triathlon. He was out riding and put his hand out to indicate a turn.
He turned his head to check traffic when he was clipped by an oncoming car. Pete was lucky to survive the crash but had his right leg amputated.
Getting back into sport gave him hope and belief that he could still live a full and independent life.
‘The people make this feel like home’
Pete, of Samoan and Māori (Ngāti Kahungunu) descent, is a longtime member of the Haeata Ocean Sports and Hawke’s Bay Kayak Racing Club. He races Para va’a, an adaptive version of waka ama.
Pete says having a sport that connects with his culture is like having a superpower.
He helped New Zealand finish the Paralympic Games on a high note when he claimed a bronze medal to mark a memorable debut.
It’s clear to see the full impact of his bronze medal in Cambridge. Pete can’t walk more than a few paces without being stopped for a chat, hug or selfie.
One of the nicest guys in New Zealand sport, Pete takes all the attention in his stride.
He laughs when asked what it’s like to be a celebrity at this event.
“It’s different,” he says.
“Being back here feels like coming home to be honest. It’s special to be here and to share the bronze medal with this community. The people make this event feel like home to me and I’m grateful for their support.”
Pete says the feeling on the water at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is unique because everyone is engaged with the racing.
“It’s quite intimate here. You can hear the crowds on the banks and what they’re shouting, you can hear the drums,” he says.
“We have the most crack-up commentators I’ve ever heard, they really get into it. There’s no place I would rather compete.
“Seeing the young kids get into the sport and grow their love of waka ama is inspiring.”
Ready to rise to the challenge again
After receiving his pin, Pete confirmed he’s ready to rise to the Paralympics challenge again in Los Angeles in 2028.
“At the start of the journey going into Paris, I didn’t know how much time and effort has to go into a Paralympics campaign to be successful. It’s all consuming,” he says.
“Having that experience from Paris will be invaluable for me as I look to go to another one, which I’m keen to do.
“The goal would be to get on that podium again and maybe even go better than last year.”
From humble beginnings to world leading
The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is an annual week-long event held in January at Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge. It’s come a long way since the humble beginnings of the first meeting in 1990.
Around 380 races are held over the seven days, making the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals the biggest event of its kind in the world.
Over 70 of the 90 Waka Ama NZ-affiliated clubs are attending the event, as well as more than 3,200 competitors and over 8,000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.
Andy Milne, ACC Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy, Engagement and Prevention, says we’re proud to support the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals.
“We’re committed to supporting kaupapa like waka ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages,” Andy says.
ACC is hosting a Whānau Zone for supporters, paddlers and wider whānau to relax and watch the racing, as well try rongoā (traditional Māori healing).
We also have a stall talking about our Kaupapa Māori services – Hāpai and Te Ara Tuhono, culturally grounded care developed to improve outcomes for whānau after injury.
“Community events like Waka Ama help us to raise awareness and build understanding around ACC services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori,” Andy says.
Find out more on the Waka Ama New Zealand website.
Waka Ama Sprint Nationals
12-18 January
Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge
More than 3,200 competitors and 8,000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.
Supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā.
ACC is a partner of Waka Ama New Zealand to improve access and health outcomes for Māori.
