Canoe slalom paddler George Snook grew up on the water. Photo / Rod Hill
Canoe slalom paddler George Snook grew up on the water. Photo / Rod Hill
For any athlete targeting overseas competition, the Covid-19 pandemic has ensured these remain uncertain times.
When you don't know exactly what the future holds, or which specific event you should be aiming for, all you have to fall back on is your own motivation and enjoyment of the sport.
That'swhere George Snook comes into his own.
The Okere Falls canoe slalom and whitewater paddler was recently named 2021 Whitewater Grom of the Year. Entrants send in a highlight reel from their 2020/21 seasons and about 500 of the top kayakers in the world vote for the winners.
Snook said he was "stoked" to gain such recognition from his peers.
"It's pretty cool, it's nice to know it's not biased or anything like that. I just submitted my 2020/21 highlight reel which was mostly whitewater, it didn't actually have any canoe slalom racing, just my best whitewater moments from the last year."
When it comes to being stuck in your own country, being a kayaker in New Zealand is far from the worst outcome. Snook's highlight reel comprised some of the best whitewater spots from all over New Zealand.
The 17-year-old finished up at Rotorua Lakes High School after completing NCEA Level 2 last year and is now working and training in Auckland where he spends much of his time at the state of the art Vector Wero Whitewater Park.
Rotorua's George Snook is the 2021 Whitewater Grom of the Year. Photo / Mike Dawson
"I've got my last selection race for the New Zealand senior team on May 2," he said.
"Right now, I'm tied for third place and the last spot on the team so I'll be racing for that. That team would usually race World Cups and World Champs but this year it's a bit unknown whether we'll be able to do any canoe slalom races.
"The ideal plan for the rest of the year would be to go and race the senior and junior world championships."
Canoe slalom paddler George Snook grew up on the water. Photo / File
Snook said his enjoyment of the sport had never wavered, which had played into his hands during the last year with so many events canceled.
"You're sort of just going off your own motivation and enjoyment of the sport to keep training and keep pushing for next year or even the year after because who knows how long it will be before we can race internationally again.
"I've probably been enjoying it even more over the last couple of months, I have some great times paddling with friends and training, I'm just enjoying it more and more."
