Athlete Spotlight: Titan Nin on Waka Ama
At Visique Eye Spy, we are proud to sponsor Titan Nin, a talented young waka ama paddler on his way to the world stage. At just 16, he is preparing to represent New Zealand at the World Waka Ama Sprint Championships in Singapore, and we are honoured to be part of the team behind him. Here is his story, what drives him, and how we are helping protect his eyes on the water.
Meet Titan
Titan Nin is 16 years old, attends Hamilton Boys’ High School, and carries the whakapapa of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Porou and Tainui. He has been paddling waka ama for three years, competing at both national and international levels, and is now preparing for his biggest challenge yet: the World Waka Ama Sprint Championships in Singapore.
More than a sport
For Titan, waka ama is far more than competition. In his own words, it is a connection to culture, identity and personal discipline. His goal is to test himself against the best paddlers in the world and add to the rich legacy of New Zealand paddling on the international stage.
He focuses on four pillars: elite athleticism, team synergy and leadership guided by the principle of he waka eke noa, cultural ambassadorship, and inspiring the next generation of paddlers. Although he races in singles for New Zealand, he also paddles with his team from Akarana, Taurea Va’a J19s, with campaigns in Singapore, Tahiti and Rarotonga.
The work behind the dream
Reaching a world championship takes relentless commitment, and Titan’s schedule shows it. He trains three to four hours a day, travels to Auckland at weekends for team sessions, and heads to competitions around the country two to three times a month. He clocks 90 to 100 kilometres on the water every week, backed by daily gym work and land cardio. Even his diet is part of the plan, with sweets and takeaways set aside so his nutrition can fuel the demands on his tinana, or body.
Why local backing matters
International competition asks a lot of a young athlete and their whānau, and support from a sponsor can be the difference between making a campaign happen and missing out. Titan has been generous in his thanks to Maile and Keith Tarsau for backing his international waka ama campaign, helping him focus on training, secure equipment and manage the travel that comes with it. For us, it is a privilege to play a small part in a journey he is chasing with so much heart, and to see him represent his whānau, hapū and iwi on the world stage.
Protecting his eyes on the water
This is also where our world and Titan’s meet. Long hours on open water are one of the toughest environments there is for your eyes. You have bright sun overhead and glare bouncing straight back off the surface, session after session, and that constant UV exposure adds up over time. It is exactly why good eye protection matters for paddlers, and for any athlete who trains outdoors. To help, we have set Titan up with a pair of Oakley Radar sunglasses to shield his eyes while he trains and races.
Whether you are on the water, the road or the trails, the right sunglasses do more than cut glare. They protect your eyes from long-term UV damage and help you see clearly and comfortably when it matters. If you train outdoors, our team can help you find a pair that suits your sport, including prescription options if you need them. Have a look at our range of eyewear, or come in and see us.
Backing Titan all the way
We will be cheering Titan on as he lines up in Singapore, proud to support a young athlete chasing something big with real discipline and pride. We wish him and his crew every success on the world stage. If you are active, training outdoors, or simply want to protect your vision, get in touch with our team at Visique Eye Spy in Palmerston North.
