It's official - Tauranga paddlers are leading the way at the elite level of the sport in New Zealand.
Canoe Slalom New Zealand released the rankings from the 2012/13 season and in nine of the 15 divisions the number one canoeist or kayaker is from Tauranga.
The list does not include national champion Mike Dawson, not eligible through injury, or the highly promising Callum Gilbert, ranked number two in New Zealand in the K1 Men's Under-18.
The rankings are an obvious reflection of the co-ordinated coaching programmes in place through Canoe Slalom BOP, Bay of Plenty Canoe Club and the Bay Trust Coach Force team led by Aaron Osbourne, who is also head coach for Slalom New Zealand.
Osbourne says the success comes down to a variety of factors but the future looks bright with so many younger athletes taking up the sport.