It's all on for Mereniah Rudolph.

The Henderson mother of three is preparing for the International Va'a Federation world outrigger canoe sprint championships in Calgary, Canada beginning on August 11.

The outriggers are better known as waka ama in New Zealand, a term that holds plenty of cultural significance.

The regular racers hold six paddlers to a canoe.

Miss Rudolph, 37, will be racing in the 500m, 1500m and women's 12 double-hull, which is two standard six-person canoes put together.

It will be her first time in a world championship.

She'll race with the Hingaia New Zealand team with five other paddlers.

Hingaia qualified in April at the New Zealand sprint trials at Lake Karapiro.

She's been racing for four years and loves it.

"I'm really excited. It's come around so fast and it will be great to race against the world's best," Miss Rudolph says.

She's a member of the Te Atatu Boat Club which is the only waka ama club in West Auckland.

Miss Rudolph's had a tough journey to reach the championships and still needs to raise $2000 for the trip.

After her father died last year Miss Rudolph decided to study nursing while looking after her children and wider family members.

"She's tried really hard to fundraise but is still short on funds," says niece Anataia Fu.

"She's always giving and putting others first.

"She jokes that she'll spend less on food for herself and get skinnier for the races to save the much-needed funds to help her with the trip."

Miss Rudolph will be joined by fellow club members 51-year-old waka ama veteran Audrey Wikiriwhi, Makaira Berry, 15, and Maori Tere, 15, who is the under-16 New Zealand waka ama title holder. All four will race in separate events.

Waka ama underwent a revival in the 90s in New Zealand.

Mrs Wikiriwhi says it reconnects Maori and Pacific Island people to their cultures.

"I always love hearing stories from other countries and their legends surrounding their canoes and for us to share our own," Mrs Wikiriwhi says.

She raced in the last world champs in Noumea in 2010 and picked up gold in the 1000m, silver in the 500m and bronze for the women's 12.

"A lot of our club members under-rate themselves but the sport is growing.

"It's all about bringing the community together and is a great sport for any age," Mrs Wikiriwhi says.

Visit waitakereoutrigger. co.nz for more information on how to sponsor Mereniah Rudolph and the team.

- © Fairfax NZ News