Hatton's San Fran victory adds to canoeist's dream run on the world stage

Teneale Hatton has continued the fine legacy of New Zealanders on the water with her latest performances. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Auckland canoeist Teneale Hatton is having a dream run on the international stage.

The 24-year-old claimed her first US Surfski Championship title last weekend in San Francisco.

The promising Auckland University student's gold-medal performance for the seventh race in the 2014 World Surfski Series came immediately after winning the International Canoe Federation K1 1000m sprint in Moscow, where she set a world record.

In Russia, Hatton claimed gold in 3:49.423. After sitting third with 200m left she produced one final surge and won by only 0.05s from Tamara Csipes, of Hungary.

"I am so stoked with the win and the time is an added bonus," Hatton said of her world-record effort.

Hatton said to back up that performance in San Francisco was a huge thrill. "The highlights have to be the course itself and the area it covers," she said of the course in San Francisco Bay that goes under the Golden Gate Bridge.

"It is such an iconic area and to be able to do it in a surfski is just mind blowing. The hardest part, though, had to be picking the right route to take as the currents varied so much across the harbour."

Hatton is focused on continuing New Zealand's fine reputation in canoeing and following in the wake of Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington.

Throughout its history, New Zealand has punched above its weight in the paddling disciplines.

This year has proved no exception, with a large batch of young athletes coming through the ranks, particularly in surfski paddling.

Hatton encouraged young athletes to become involved in the sport at their local kayaking club.

There is no shortage of kayaking clubs in New Zealand for social and competitive kayakers.

Canoe Racing New Zealand runs a driven development programme for young paddlers and even in winter time there is little excuse for not getting involved.

The national Kayak Krazy 10km Race Series is a popular series for athletes interested in kayaking (the sit-in, flat-water canoeing variant), with the series having events all over New Zealand.

The Auckland Downwind Winter Series ran its second event from Okahu Bay in Auckland last Sunday with 30 per cent of the entrants under 20 years.

With short-course (6km) and long-course (16km) options, the Downwind Series is proving to be a great developmental platform for surfski (the sit-on ocean-racing canoeing variant) paddlers.

Hatton offered advice for people with an interest in the sport.

"My tips would have to be to just get out there, jump at any opportunity to race or paddle with other paddlers. Always take the time to enjoy it and have fun.

"The best advice I was given by a friend for the San Francisco race was to make sure to take a moment during the race to just take it all in, take in the environment and I did. It was such an incredible experience and one I am very glad I decided to do. I absolutely recommend it."

For more information on local kayaking events visit:
http://www.canoeracing.org.nz/
http://www.pacificoceanpaddlers.com/