Callum Gilbert is not sure what to expect in Slovakia at the world champs but one thing he is certain about is that it will be the trip of a lifetime.
The 17-year-old has never been further afield than Australia and Fiji so is feeling a little apprehensive about the long sojourn to Europe with the rest of the New Zealand Under-18 team.
"It is definitely going to be a bit different and will definitely be the longest time I have been away from home," Gilbert said.
"But my parents will be there for half the trip which is great but it is totally different countries and not speaking the language, so there are lots of emotions at the moment I guess."
Gilbert has had a stellar year in both kayak and canoe racing, claiming both C1 and K1 titles at the Secondary Schools Nationals.
"I was hoping I would do this well but never expected I would have some of the results I have had. The season so far has just got better and better."
Gilbert is quietly confident he will do well in Slovakia individually but also has high hopes for the team.
"Personally I do know everyone in the team so it will be cool to get the three under-18 K1 men all in the top 15 and if everyone in the team made the top 20 it would be a fantastic effort basically.
"For me my goal is to ultimately to make the top 15 then hopefully the top 10 to make the final. Anything can happen from there I guess."
Conditions in Slovakia will differ greatly from what Gilbert is used to but he and his teammates should adapt quickly.
"Compared to here it is a lot different because there are a lot more artificially altered and man-made features on the course, whereas here they are much more natural."
Tauranga's dominance of canoeing and kayaking is down to many things but Gilbert says it is to do with the excellent training facilities at Waimarino and Carters, Judea.
"We also have the Kaituna River about 40 minutes away, which is arguably one of the best places for training slalom in New Zealand and also Kawerau is an hour and a half away, which the council has put huge amounts of money into to develop the river for slalom mainly. That has been fantastic and they have the electronic timing system there which is what it will be like in Europe."
Gilbert is grateful to the coaching he experienced at Tauranga Boys' College and from Martin Hammer, from the Czech Republic.
"He has made a massive difference to the Tauranga paddling scene for the last two years. But had it not been for TBC I would not have been kayaking at all and Rob Sperling, the teacher in charge, was fantastic at getting us all motivated.
"All the opportunities in kayaking came through TBC and the school has had a massive input into kayaking."