Kayaking: Paddlers set for battle

Photo/File

Kayakers from a range of sporting disciplines will try to paddle their way to glory across Lake Wiritoa in the Kayak Krazy series tomorrow.

The 10km race is a part of a series run by Canoe Racing New Zealand and leads off a double shot weekend as hosts the Whanganui Multisport Club will also be running the John Taylor Memorial Duathlon on Sunday.

In the Wanganui leg of the nationally recognised Kayak Krazy series, points accumulated by racers will go towards the 10km national championship in September.

Club kayaking coach Brian Scott said athletes from all over the lower North Island will be racing, giving local kayakers the chance to get in the action.

"It's just starting to build in popularity, it's a good chance for locals to get out and have a bit of a decent hard paddle against some of these top guys."

Kayakers will also get the chance to put in training for the Mountain to Sea race next year, Scott said.

"They're probably getting some early training for that race and it's good to get a hard, short 10km race in."

Scott said he expects riders from backgrounds in surf lifesaving, whitewater racing, sprint and marathon racing to be on the starting line come Saturday.

Riders can register on the day of the race at 1pm, at $15 or $10 for unwaged.

John Boynton is an AUT journalism student on work experience at the Chronicle.