Hawke's Bay pair Greer Hambleton (front) and Mia Parker, on their way to claim silver in the U16 K2 500m. Photo / Kerin Hutchinson
Hawke's Bay pair Greer Hambleton (front) and Mia Parker, on their way to claim silver in the U16 K2 500m. Photo / Kerin Hutchinson
Napier Girls’ High School’s Greer Hambleton has returned home with six medals, and four of those gold, from the Asia Pacific Canoe Sprint Championships three-day regatta.
The event was held from May 1 to May 3, and racing took place at Lake Tikitapu, with calm water and clear skies providingan ideal stage for high-quality racing.
In her first time representing New Zealand, Hambleton achieved the coveted double gold in the Under 16 individual events, claiming victory in both the 200m and 500m races, a rare and highly regarded accomplishment at this level.
She went on to add further gold medals as part of the Under 16 K4 500m crew, alongside Hawke’s Bay teammates, Mia Parker of Havelock North High School, and Claudine Meerlo of Taradale High School and in the Mega Relay 200m, a marquee event featuring male and female athletes from the Under 16, Under 18 and Under 21 age groups racing together.
Hambleton’s medal haul was rounded out with a silver medal in the Women’s K2 500m alongside Parker, and a bronze medal in the Mixed K2 200m with Karapiro athlete Brayden Fergusson.
Greer Hambleton racing at Lake Tikitapu at the Asia Pacific Cup on her way to claim one of 6 medals at the Asia Pacific canoe sprint championships in Rotorua. Photo / Kerin Hutchinson
While Hambleton’s achievements stood out, the championships were a collective success for the Hawke’s Bay team.
A Hawke’s Bay Kayak Racing Club spokesperson said that in a significant achievement for the national programme, New Zealand claimed the Asia Pacific Cup for the first time in seven years, finishing ahead of Australia in second, Japan in third, and Singapore in fourth on overall points.
“The large Hawke’s Bay contingent played a key role in that success, with every local athlete finishing the championships with at least one medal, underlining the strength and depth of the region’s paddling pathway.
“The achievements of all local Hawke’s Bay athletes highlight the depth of talent in the region and the strength of the development pathway the Hawke’s Bay Kayak Racing Club has built over time.”
The spokesperson said the Hawke’s Bay Kayak Racing Club, coaches, volunteers and whānau are being acknowledged for their ongoing commitment, which continued to translate into national and international success.
“With New Zealand claiming the Asia Pacific Cup and Hawke’s Bay athletes at the heart of that achievement, the future of sprint kayaking in the region is well and truly on an upward trajectory.”
The spokesperson said with momentum firmly on their side, attention is already turning to the 2027 Asia Pacific Canoe Sprint Championships.
The event will be held in Singapore for the first time in seven years and present a new challenge in international conditions.
Several New Zealand athletes, including members of the Hawke’s Bay contingent, will aim to build on this year’s success and repeat the championship-winning outcome as the programme continues to develop on the international stage.
