For one week, there will be no rivalries between Hawai'i canoe clubs.

This week, the Hawai'i paddlers will all be on one team for the International Va'a Federation World Sprints at Lake Karapiro, New Zealand.

"In most races, you're there representing your club," Lanikai paddler Mike Pedersen said. "But this one is different. You're still kind of representing your club, but you're there to represent Hawai'i first."

More than 370 paddlers from around the state will compete for Team Hawai'i.

"There's a lot of emphasis put on the World Sprints," Team Hawai'i coordinator Luana Froiseth said. "It's one of the few times we really get to come together and represent the state."

About 1,800 paddlers from more than 20 countries/regions are expected to participate in the week-long event. The World Sprints is held at a different site every two years.

Tahiti won the 2004 event in Hilo, and Hawai'i placed second. Hawai'i is recognized as its own region by the IVF.

"Tahiti always brings a big group, so you have to look at them as one of the favorites again," Froiseth said. "And New Zealand will have a big group, too, because it's in their country this year. But Hawai'i has always fared well, and we feel like we're bringing a strong team again."

Team Hawai'i will be especially strong in the adult divisions.

Several members of the powerful Lanikai men's program are on the roster. Lanikai won the Moloka'i Hoe last October, and they will paddle together this week rather than forming "all-star" crews with other paddlers from Hawai'i.

"It's probably better to stick with your own crew since that's who you're comfortable with," Pedersen said. "And there's enough good crews from Hawai'i to go around. I think there's a bunch of crews from Hawai'i who could have a good week."

Paddlers from Team Bradley and Hui Lanakila are among the top entries in the open women's division. Team Bradley won the Na Wahine O Ke Kai last September, and Hui Lanakila placed second.

"We normally wouldn't even be practicing at this time of the year," Hui Lanakila's Mikala Bradley said. "But we've been out there, working hard for this."

If there is a weakness for Team Hawai'i, it is in the youth divisions. Because of conflicting school schedules, many of the state's top teenagers could not make the trip.

"That could cost us in the big picture," Froiseth said. "But you can't help that. The kids need to be in school."

The event features various "sprint" races (500 meters, 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters) for one-person canoes, six-person canoes and double-hull 12-person canoes. Per event rules, all of the canoes will be identical to assure fairness.

"There's always going to be lane advantages based on the tide changes, but it won't make that much of a difference here because it is a lake," Froiseth said. "It all boils down to the paddlers."

The races begin on Tuesday and will run every day through Saturday.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.