Training camp hones youngsters' skills

WHITE WATER: George Snook, of Okere Falls, during a Canoe Slalom New Zealand training camp in Kawerau. PHOTO/CANOE SLALOM BOP

A young group of paddlers from Okere Falls has benefited from a Canoe Slalom New Zealand training camp in Kawerau.

The training camp was held last weekend based on the Tarawera River. A young group of paddlers from Okere Falls attended the camp including Zac Mutton, 14, River Mutton, 13, George Snook, 11, Michel Uhl, 11, and Jack Eggleston, 11.

The Okere Falls paddlers joined a group of 40 teenagers from across New Zealand to be coached over three days by Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty coaching staff Martin Hammer (Czech Republic) and Jimy Bercon (France).

Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty chairwoman Sue Clarke said it was great to see the next wave of young paddlers coming from Rotorua.

"Most of their families have paddled, some at an international level, and they have the perfect environment to succeed living at Okere Falls with easy access to the Kaituna training site," she said.

"They are the envy of most slalom paddlers around NZ, living so close to a white water training venue."

Bruce Webber, Nikki Whitehead, Josh Zurcher and members of the New Zealand representative teams were also on hand to help coach the athletes in Kawerau, who ranged in ability from absolute beginners to more experienced paddlers.

New Zealand head coach and BayTrust Coachforce officer Aaron Osborne (Rotorua) was also in attendance and provided mentoring and development opportunities for new, young coaches.

The coaching took place on the white-water slalom course on the Tarawera River, which runs through the heart of the Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau.

The river has been upgraded by the Kawerau District Council and other funding bodies to provide excellent facilities for the athletes, sport administrators and coaches alike.

The river and surrounding environment is so good that a large contingent from the Australian National Talent Squad came across as well.

-The next camp will run from January 16-18. Registrations are open now at www.canoeslalombop.co.nz