We got the year off to a great start with a fantastic turn out for the Sprint State Championships at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith. With perfect conditions on Saturday, the storm held off until all trailers were loaded on Sunday afternoon. We had a contingent of young paddlers from Fairfield CC in Victoria, a few Queenslanders and a Tasmanian paddler who all turned up to our regatta to add to the competition.
With State Team selections on the line for the 16, 18 and 21 year old paddlers , there were some excellent performances.
A highlight was that we had almost a full heat of Under 12 boys and girls, all paddling in K1’s and entered in every event available to them. The future of Sprint in NSW looks very bright indeed.
We also had a couple of masters paddlers from Avoca KC, Andrew Manser and Garth Hunter, take out the Open Mens K2 200 in a very close race from the young under 21 boys.
The Brian Trouville and David James Memorial Trophies for the 18 Year Champion Female and Male athletes were once again awarded to joint winners. The Female Champions were Nina Fitzgerald from Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club and Chelsea Sutton from Manly Warringah Kayak Club. The Male Champions were Michael Dunbar and Sean Ryce, both from Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club.
Above: 1. Trouville and James Trophy winners from left. Presented by past winners Alisa Van Der Kwartel, Nina Fitzgerald, Chelsea Sutton, past winners Lucas Raikuna, Bailey Clues, 2023 Winners Michael Dunbar and Sean Ryce. Photo Christine Duff.
2. Dylan Littlehales and Sam Stanford, paracanoe race. 3. Jasmine Locke and Jemma Smith win the K2
Following Photos by Louise Blake Photography. (please credit Louise in the newsletter. ) Thanks. 🙂
The champion club, winner of the Morison Trophy, was Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club.
It was a great weekend of racing and congratulations to all those paddlers who did their best, achieved their best times, won medals, were selected in the state teams or just had a fun weekend on the water.
Article by Sally Simon
