A group of Auckland-Tongan outrigger canoe enthusiasts are keen to get young Tongans interested in the sport.

Owen Pau'u, who has revived the the Tu'i Tonga Canoe Club NZ at Okahu Bay, Auckland, will visit Tonga in May to find ways to reintroduce the sport of Siu'a'alo.

Owen returned to Auckland from Europe recently and has so far recruited about 60 members to restablish the Tu'i Tonga club at Okahu Bay. "An impetus to the development of the club was the success of the paddlers during a race against 10 other teams at Birkenhead, North Shore, Auckland on Saturday, March 26," he said.

The Tu'i Tonga Novice Women's W6 team, consisting of Ruth Niu, Andrey Moala-Papali'i, Losa Fangupo, Krissy Westerlund, 'Ana Moala and Areta Cowley came in second place.

A Tu'i Tonga mixed W6 team, of Charles Niu, A. J. Cowley, Jade Phillips, Paul Teasdale, Talei Buwawa, and Fole Finau, also came second; while Owen Pau'u wonthe W1 with rudder category.

The original Tu'i Tonga Canoe Club NZ was established in 2006 but became dormant after members moved away from Auckland.

Owen is keen to get young Tongans interested in Siu'a'alo, outrigger canoe racing again and will be visiting Tonga next month to find ways on how to reintroduce the sport.