We were lucky to be able to hold our Sprint State Championships on the 16 and 17th Jan, as the COVID19 lockdown kept many of our athletes isolated and off the water till a week before the regatta. After the last minute cancellation of our PNSW GP1 regatta we were prepared for the worst, but Penrith turned on a great weekend for us.
120 NSW paddlers competed, with no interstate or international athletes this year. Some were National team members and some were first timers, but there was some great racing and all athletes were just happy to be out there again after a difficult year. We welcomed Illawarra Canoe Club to State Champs for the first time in some years, along with our usual Sprint clubs, Avoca KC, Manly Warringah KC, Salty Paddlers and Sydney Northern Beaches KC and a few individual paddlers from Windsor CC, Makai and the ACT. We had Canoe athletes, new Torpedo paddlers, ParaCanoe athletes as well as Kayak paddlers.
It was a hot weekend, and on Saturday, a strong headwind made for some slow times, but Sunday saw perfect conditions.
PNSW State 16 and 18 Years teams were selected, for the first time in many years. This is a new initiative from PaddleAustralia designed to give training and competition opportunities to up and coming athletes. Although they will not be travelling overseas this year, the teams will attend training camps and be involved in State Vs State racing at PaddleAustralia National Championships.
The James Memorial Cup, awarded to the Overall Junior Champion boy, was this year shared between 2 athletes who had equal pointscore, Ashby Allen from Avoca KC and Toby Schooley from Sydney Northern Beaches KC. The Trouville Memorial Cup, awarded to the Overall Junior Champion girl, was won by Riley Clarke from the Salty Paddlers. The Morison Memorial Cup, awarded to the champion club, was won again by Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club.
It was fantastic to see so many fine performances after such a tough year and so many athletes having a great time being back on the water. Thanks to everyone who helped out officiating and volunteering over the weekend. And thanks to the PNSW Sprint Committee for your time and expertise. It was indeed a team effort.
Sally Simons
PNSW Sprint Committee Chair
Congratulations to the following athletes on their selection:
U18 Male
Callum Elliott Makai
Lucas Raikuna SNBKC
Harrison Taurins SNBKC
Ashby Allen Avoca KC
Bailey Connolly Avoca KC
Toby Schooley SNBKC
U18 Female
Lily Fitzgerald Salty Paddlers
Clea Jordi SNBKC
Evelyn Ritchie SNBKC
Riley Clarke Salty paddlers
Hanako Greuter SNBKC
India Newton Salty Paddlers
U16 Male
Kynan Burke Illawarra CC
Michael Dunbar SNBKC
Charlie Heaton-Armstrong Salty Paddlers
Alexander Raikuna SNBKC
Guy Robinson SNBKC
Sean Ryce SNBKC
Daniel Sharkey SNBKC
Ziko Vesely SNBKC
Jacob Wilson SNBKC
U16 Female
Bridie Brennan SNBKC
Rosie Brennan SNBKC
Natalia Drobot Avoca KC
Tylah Richards Illawarra CC
Zoe Shirdon SNBKC
Amelia Thornthwaite SNBKC
Nina Fitzgerald SNBKC
Olivia hall Illawarra CC