Meet International Paddling Coach and 8‑time world waka ama/outrigger champion Vesna Aroha Radonich.

Vesna shares the knowledge that shaped her into one of the world’s best through coaching, online memberships, training programmes and workshops. Her strength‑based approach empowers paddlers to be faster and smarter on and off the water.

Her journey began in the early 2000s in Australia, where she discovered paddling while navigating hearing impairment, learning challenges and a difficult past. When her coach told her she could be the caller despite not hearing on the water, everything changed. She found belonging, purpose and a sport that would reshape her life. Guided by an Olympic champion kayaker, she learned correct technique, discipline and the importance of training on and off the water.

In 2002 she travelled through Europe promoting outrigger paddling, helping the sport gain recognition across the region. Returning to New Zealand, she briefly stepped away from paddling until a visit to Gisborne encouraged her to return. She focused on V1, became a New Zealand champion, and chased the world stage. A humbling race in Tahiti pushed her to commit fully. She sold everything, moved to Tahiti for two years, and immersed herself in va’a, culture and elite training. With support from mentors and coaches, she transformed her technique and mindset.

In 2012 she returned home, swept national titles with Kaiarahi Toa and won world championship gold in both team and individual events. This marked the beginning of her path as an international coach. Over the next decade she balanced elite performance with motherhood, study, injury recovery and life’s challenges, always returning to compete at the highest level — including racing at Worlds six months pregnant and earning multiple medals.

Today Vesna coaches across Aotearoa, Australia, USA, Canada, Hawai‘i, Hong Kong and beyond. She founded Ngā Hau E Whā Outrigger Wahine to empower women and continues to build communities through paddling. She remains proud to call Horouta Waka Hoe home, still trains at a high level, still travels overseas for coaching and workshops, and gives everything to her clients, her athletes, her training and, most importantly, her whānau.