Who Is Waka Racing?

WAKA Racing: James Williamson, Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, Sam Bell, Adam Martin

This is a tight team of top young sailors. Their singular ambition is to be New Zealand’s next top sailors and to consistently win on the international stage.

Key Words:

Grit

Patience

Determination

Professionalism

Consistency
            Passion

Background:

Waka Racing has four core members. Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, James Williamson, and Sam Bell with all being graduates of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Training Programme. 

The team was established at the beginning of 2009. Phil and Garth approached James to sail with them to win the highly regarded Warren Jones Match Race Regatta in Perth.
 

After winning this regatta (as “Panama Jack Racing”) they decided to launch an assault on the world of international Match Racing. In the process the team recruited Sam Bell and rebranded themselves “Waka Racing”. 

After two successful years competing in qualifier regattas for the World Match Race Tour the team gained a Tour Card for the 2011 season, as the youngest team. They struggled for consistency in their first year but are back better and stronger in 2012 after learning from the experience. Adam Martin has also joined Waka Racing as full-time bowman for 2012, in order to bring consistency in crew work and communication onboard.  

The word “Waka” originates from the Maori (the indigenous people and language of New Zealand) word that means canoe or boat. The Maori people have amazing but intimidating war canoes with elaborate and intricate carvings at the prow and stern. These magnificent canoes have up to 100 warriors on the paddles. The logo of Waka Racing reflects the style of the stern posts seen on these canoes.

Hence, the team felt the name was appropriate as Match Racing is also like a battle between two boats.