Healing journey spurs paddler to inspire others

Being encouraged to take to the water to help grieve his wife’s passing has led to Glenn Hardinge becoming one of Nelson’s most passionate and competitive waka ama padders.

The former rafting and kayak guide from Central Otago moved to Ruby Bay 10 years ago at his wife Marlene’s suggestion.

“She wanted a change after more than 30 years down there,” recalls Glenn, as he prepares for his daily early morning paddle off Tāhunanui.

Tragically, soon after their shift, Marlene was diagnosed with colon cancer and despite going into remission after six month’s treatment in Tokyo, she succumbed to the disease.

“It came back with a vengeance. She was gone within three weeks and I was grief stricken,” says Glenn. Then a dear friend, top waka ama paddler Kereama Payne, came by and urged him to get out on the water.

“I came under his wing, began paddling with a six-man team and used it as holistic healing for my grief out on the ocean. Later he came back again, dropped a single waka on my lawn and said bro you are going to paddle this every day,” remembers Glenn.

“I took Marlene’s ashes in the waka out to Ruby Bay, dropped them, and I return there every anniversary of her death.”

Eventually Glenn’s old competitive spirit resurfaced and he decided to jump in a single waka.

“There were plenty of local outrigger canoe races and I was doing OK. I just loved it. I was always an individual. I am a bit of an introvert,” enthuses Glenn.
He went on to win as a ruddered OCI Golden Master at national age grade level for his Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club which is based in the Nelson Marina.
Though to be honest, Tāhunanui is really his domain.

“I live nearby and can be in the water within minutes. I like to be here by 5.30am and have the clubbies ready to go by 6am or 6.30am before the beach gets too busy,” says Glenn, who describes himself as a volunteer - although he’s clearly more a trainer and motivator.

“I try to encourage everyone to get up early and embrace the day. I would love to see more young people take up the sport,” declares the black belt, who used to run his own judo dojo club in Arrowtown.

“I had a few fights, but I preferred teaching the martial arts.”

The 62-year-old is still very competitive on the water though, confirms Motueka Waka Ama Club president, Callum Sebualala, as he heads out for a regular early morning paddle with Glenn.

“He’s inspiring. He’s a personal trainer and lives what he wants to do, training all the time. We are both Melanesian motivators,” exclaims Callum, who is Fijian-Irish.

Which takes us to Glenn’s surname. Hardinge isn’t a typo.

“My forefathers came here by boat from Torres Strait (off the top northern tip of Australia). They were Malaysian-Irish,” explains Glenn, who went to NMIT and graduated with a sports science degree.

“Age is just a number. I don’t believe in growing old. Just keep going,” he vows.
The qualified waka steerer is gearing up to return to national and maybe international waters in Rarotonga and Brazil.

He will skip the sprint nationals at Lake Karapiro next month. There have also been approaches to jump back in a six-man waka.

“I have had three offers already and I am ready for that now. I have come out the other end. They say there are nine processes of grief, and I think I have done them all. I am loving Nelson now,” concludes Glenn, before slinging his single waka on his shoulder and striding down the beach.