The competitive spirit came out from businesses around the Western Bay with the annual Waka Ama Corporate Challenge at Pilot Bay today.

Twelve teams turned out for the event, which had been postponed from a fortnight ago due to poor weather.

The winning team from S&L Consultants paddles back into shore.

The day, which began at 9.30am, was organised by Hoe Aroha Whanau o Mauao and secretary Theresa Wharekura says it was a shame the event had to be postponed because it meant many groups could not make it.

'It's been a great day even with that,” says Theresa.

She says four groups pulled out this morning at the last minute which put a dampener on things too, but the remaining teams were in great spirits.

The final saw teams from Sanford Seafoods, S&L Consultants and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic compete against each other. The winners were the team from S&L Consultants, who beat their rivals by a whisker at the finish line on the 300m course.

The three teams in the final battle it out for first place.