Paddling: Bay paddlers dominate NZ lineup

Some of the Tauranga paddlers headed for next week's worlds in Penrith. (Back row, left to right) Jack Dangen, James Thwaite, Callum Gilbert, Patrick Washer. (Front row) Theo Pepper, Alex Hawthorne, Dan Munro, Luke Robinson, Ben Gibb, Kaydi O'Connor Stratton, Haylee Dangen. Photo/John Borren

Excitement is mounting among the Tauranga paddlers selected to compete for New Zealand at the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior and Under-23 World Championships from 23-27 April in Penrith, Australia.

Of the 22 athletes named to wear the black shirt with silver fern trim, 17 are affiliated to, or came through the development pathway of, Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty.

They range in ages from Jack Dangen, who will celebrate his 16th birthday just before the worlds begin, through to Ben Gibb, 22.

The Tauranga presence continues with Baytrust coach force officer Aaron Osborne and Martin Hammer named as team coaches, and Sue Clarke from Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty is a team manager.

Clarke says the New Zealand team is as well prepared as possible to take on the much vaunted European paddlers at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, venue for the spectacular canoe/kayak slalom competition at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

"Canoe Slalom New Zealand has put a lot of effort into preparing these kids for this," Clarke said. "Some of these athletes have been over to the course for training camps in December, January and February because it is in Australasia for the first time.

"We are giving them the very best shot at it and they have been working very, very hard on their fitness and strength as well. There are some encouraging results from races held in Penrith, like Callum Gilbert in the junior class at the Australian and Oceania champs, and Patrick Washer in the C1.

"We are hopeful we can get guys into the finals and then they have a chance of getting in the medals."

It is a special for Clarke as she has a daughter, Jane Nicholas, in the team along with paddlers she introduced to the sport. "Four or five of these guys I had at a training course when they first started paddling and they were struggling to stay upright in their boat. So it is a special trip for me to be able to take these kids over there as manager."