The race is New Zealand’s premier whitewater extreme kayak race featuring 4 competitors per heat with the top 2 competitors progressing to the next round. Although the race had a reduced field with no internationals and only a handful of North Islanders because of Covid restrictions, the gnarly Grade 4 whitewater Citroen rapid was at a boisterous flow level and the standard of the competitors was high. Tom, the only junior kayaker game enough to take on the challenge, kept up with the big boys and made it through to the semi-final round, which was a fantastic result for him.

Tom travelled to Auckland last weekend to compete in the final round of slalom races to select the top 3 junior kayakers for the 2022 national slalom team. From this event, he was selected for the Under 18 Canoe Slalom team to attend the world champs in Italy in July.

Gordon Rayner - Dunstan Kayak Coach