TUPURIA KING

Tupuria King is an accomplished athlete and waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddler with over 24 years of experience in the sport. Introduced to waka ama at the age of seven by his father, Tupuria quickly developed a passion for paddling, seeing it not just as a sport but as a lifestyle deeply intertwined with cultural and social significance. His dedication and expertise have earned him multiple national and international titles, making him a prominent figure in the paddling community.

​

A graduate of the University of Waikato, where he completed his Master's degree in Health, Sport, and Human Performance Studies, Tupuria has conducted extensive research on the physiology of outrigger canoeing. His academic background fuels his ambition to grow the sport by developing high-performance athletes capable of competing at world-class levels.

​

Tupuria’s paddling career is decorated with numerous achievements, including 12 x New Zealand Premiere Men Sprint Championship titles in the 250m and 500m sprint events and a multi-time national long-distance champion. Internationally, he has won gold with team Aotearoa at the world championships and recently completed his third consecutive year as the NZ Elite Men’s coach and paddler. He is also known for his impressive performances in Tahiti and Hawai’i, competing with top-ranked teams and placing highly in prestigious races such as the Super Aito, Moloka’i Crossings and the Hawaiki Nui Va’a.

​

Beyond competition, Tupuria is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow paddlers, offering coaching and training to athletes of all levels. His mission is to provide paddlers with the tools and insights needed for a fulfilling waka ama journey, ensuring that the sport continues to thrive both in Aotearoa and around the world.