A team of Mount Maunganui 70-year-olds dubbed the Fluffy Slippers are heading to the international stage after winning the national Waka Ama championships in the master 70 division.

They are the Master 70 team from Hoe Aroha Whanau o Mauao Outrigger Canoe Club.

The Fluffy Slippers have recently won nationals and have qualified for the world sprint championships to be held in Hilo, Hawaii this August.

“Some of us have attended world champs before, but it is always extremely satisfying to be a national champion team and an honour to represent your country, says coach and manager of the Fluffy Slippers, Mike Hickson.

“The team last year Qualified and competed at the world long-distance Championships in Samoa.

“Unfortunately, due to illness leading up to the event we didn't do as well as we would have liked, but that’s racing!”

The team is hoping to do better in this year’s world sprint championships.

The Fluffy Slippers started as a master men's team of 40 to 49-year-olds, says Fluffy Slippers coach Mike Hickson.

“Over the years as we have got older some of us have moved up in divisions.

“Around 15 years ago at a local race, ‘The Maungatapu Dash’ a group of us on the beach decided to put a team in the race.

“As we went to register we were asked what our team name was.

“Didn't have one and the lady doing the registration said a bunch of old fellas like you should be at home with your fluffy slippers on.

“That'll do, call us Fluffy Slippers.

“We did well in the race, the name stuck and the rest is history.

“As we improved the squad increased and we had the Left and the Right Fluffy Slippers.

“Two years ago we split the teams, with the 70+ y/o forming Fluffy Slippers M70.

“The right Fluffy Slippers still compete as a golden Master men's team (60 to 69 y/o)

“Over the years, members have come and gone, some have started their own teams in other areas, but there is a saying “once a Fluffy, always a Fluffy.’”

"Once a Fluffy, always a Fluffy." (Left to right) Taute Tocker, Paul Woods, Mike Hickson, Maurie Marvin, Skins Atkins and Paora Howe. Photo supplied.

Each team has 6 team members, “other club members join us for training when one of us can't make it”, says Mike.

“We are the Fluffy Slippers M70 team, we also have a Master 60 team "The right Fluffy Slippers"

The team is very close-knit says Mike, “We give each other cheek and joke around,” he says “But we’re serious when we hit the water.

“Each member has their role within the team, all roles combined in unison is what makes us a team.

The team is very close-knit, says Mike, “We give each other cheek and joke around,” he says “But we’re serious when we hit the water.

“Each member has their role within the team, all roles combined in unison is what makes us a champion team.

“On-the-water training is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and we each have our Gym sessions.

“We try to have at least one day off per week for recovery.” At our age this is necessary, jokes Mike.