Kayaking: Trio dig deep on way to Oz

Farren McGregor-Smyth (left) Hamish Legarth and Edward Parsons will represent the New Zealand U18s at next week's Oceania Canoe Sprint Championship in Adelaide. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

EXPECT Hawke's Bay kayaker Hamish Legarth to spend more time at the meal table during the next few days.

But Legarth, 16, won't be eating more food than normal so he has more energy for next week's Oceania Canoe Sprint Championship in Adelaide where he and fellow Bay paddlers Farren McGregor-Smyth and Edward Parsons will get their first taste of international competition as members of the New Zealand under-18 team.

The Havelock North High School year 12 pupil, who is in his fourth year of kayaking, will likely be heard quizzing his older sister, Elise, on the requirements of competing at this level.

She has had at least four trips overseas including one to last year's junior world championship. While she hasn't gone into too much detail yet, Elise still has time to do so before the trio leaves for the three-day regatta which starts at West Lakes on Thursday.

"So far Elise has told me to go out and have fun. She has also stressed the importance of doing my best and paddling hard," Legarth said.

His preferred event is the K4 1000. He will also tackle the K2 500 and 200 events with Parsons as well as the K1 200 and K2 1000. Legarth and Parsons have been competing together for a year and he said they are combining well.

"While we are going to Aussie with high hopes because it is our first time at this level we don't know much about the Aussies we will be up against. There is also going to be teams from other Pacific countries as well," Legarth said.

With 12 90-minute training sessions each week, Legarth won't be accused of being under done when he arrives in Adelaide.

Parsons will also start in the K1 1000 and 500 events.

Multiple national champion McGregor-Smyth will tackle K1 200, K2 500 and 200 and K4 500 events. The trio's selections were announced on Thursday during the Hawke's Bay Kayaking Club's 10th anniversary celebrations.

"It's an exciting development opportunity for these three very dedicated athletes," club coach Ben Bennett said.

"This event also doubles as the Continental Olympic Qualifying event for Oceania so not only will they get the experience of competing in a big regatta overseas, they will be able to watch their senior clubmate Scott Bicknell attempting to qualify for the Olympics in the K1 and K2 200 events," Bennett added.

Bicknell will represent the New Zealand Open men's team.