Two hundred and sixty five waka ama paddlers from Aotearoa are preparing to take part in a competition in Canada later this month.
They're going to the Va'a World Sprints in Calgary, and will be up against 17 other countries.
There are team events and solo racing from 500 - 1500 metres.
Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins says the most important skill is for the outrigger canoe team mates to paddle in time with each other.
She says competitors are taking the Canadian event very seriously and have been training five days a week on the water for the last six months at least.
Ms Collins says the youngest competitor is aged 12 and the oldest is 73.
