Tauranga paddlers make up an inordinate amount of the New Zealand squads to contest the World Whitewater Rafting Championships in Rotorua during the next two weeks.
A total of 15 of the city's finest paddlers have been selected to compete, including Ben Gibb and Paul Roozendaal who will be flying the flag for the New Zealand men's team.
"There are no rankings, but there's a good chance of the U19 teams getting a medal because those divisions are a little bit smaller," said Roozendaal. "With the open men's there are four events, and I've had a fourth place and a fifth place at the last worlds in Costa Rica. We are up there, but it's very hard. Now we are on home rivers I'm hoping to get a medal."
The teams have been making the most of preparation time ahead of the beginning of youth competition today.
Racing in the open men's division starts next Thursday and runs for four days.