Kiwis have raft of options for world champs

New Zealand hosts the IRF white water rafting world championship for the first time next week. Photo / Ian Trafford

Rotorua's Nikki Kelly has paddled her home rivers many times in her head over the past 10 months as she and her open women's team have prepared for "the biggest competition of our lives".

New Zealand will host the IRF white water rafting world championship for the first time next week and the Kiwis are determined to make the most of their local knowledge.

The IRF worlds, which incorporates junior (16-21), masters (40+) and open categories, will run from November 13-24 on the Kaituna, Tarawera and Rangitaiki Rivers.

"We can't wait for the competition to begin," said Kelly, a 38-year-old mother of three boys, who has been in training since January.

"It has been a long time coming. It is going to be an amazing week to be part of."

Kelly, who works part time at Waiariki Institute of Technology as an adventure tourism tutor, has a huge amount of experience to call on for the big occasion.

She has been part of the New Zealand white water rafting setup for 14 years since the women made their debut in the event in 1999.

During that time the Kiwis have claimed four world championships (1999-2001 and 2003), two silver medals and a bronze.

She said winning a world championship at home would be their crowning achievement.

"We have been there or thereabouts and just fallen short in recent times so we are hungry to regain the gold at home. We won't be holding anything back.

"To win gold at home, after all the commitment and time we have put into preparing for this, it would be the most special win so far. We want nothing else but to be standing on that podium at the end of the week with a gold medal around our necks."

The team, who have been supported for the past four campaigns by loyal sponsor Friedlander Foundation, and will be supported by Kaitiaki Adventures and Lava Bar for this world champs, have sacrificed a lot to be ready for this championship. Since January they have been on the rivers four to five times a week and complemented that with three gym sessions.

Speaking of sacrifice, Raewyn Larcombe, the administrator of New Zealand Rivers Association, has given her fair share to make sure the event is a success. She quit her job to prepare for the world champs and fulfil her roles as the team liaison and secretary of the worlds campaign.

Kelly said the advantage of local knowledge of the rivers would be "immense" in their chances.

"We have had a lot of time on the river together and formed a good understanding. We know [the rivers] so well and for all the crews that haven't arrived yet they have a lot of catching up to do. The Japanese team has been here for the past three weeks studying the rivers so we expect they will be pretty competitive."

Kelly, who is famous for being the first woman to kayak down Huka Falls in 1996, expected the European teams to be the ones to beat. She rated the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Japan as her top three teams with the Canadians and English also likely to contend.

After a career of travelling the world to compete in her sport, Kelly said it was quite surreal to host the world's best paddlers. "It is amazing to host the worlds here.

"This team first went to the world champs in 1999 and has been all over the world but to have it at home and see the best paddlers in the world coming here is a huge honour.

"This is also the first chance for our friends and family to see us in action.

"We perform at a high level but they have never seen that so that will be a thrill."

Kelly admitted there is more pressure competing at home but they are comfortable with that.

There is no lack of motivation to deliver.

"There has been a lot of sacrifice from the girls but hopefully at the end of the event it is all worth it."