Club paddles up NZ ladder

Iain Hyndman | Thursday, February 23, 2012 7:27

FAST IMPROVERS: Wanganui kayaking team to finish third at the nationals are (from back left): Robyn Scott, Erica Tanner, Rose Wainhouse, Phoebe Cromar, Abbey Hurley, Aiden Nossiter, Max Brown, Peter Brown, Mandy Brooke, Aime Simpson, Barry Hurley and Paige Nossiter. Front row kneeling): Jenny Hiroti, Liam Lace, Campbell Tanner, James Rowe, Aaron Cox, Tim Rowe, Mark Lace, Toby Brooke and Brian Scott. PHOTO/SUPPLIED2012-TEAM.JPG

Wanganui kayakers are paddling their way into the record books and up the national ladder after a hugely successful regatta at the national championships in Rotorua at the weekend.

The kayak division of the Wanganui Multisport and Triathlon Club sent its biggest team ever to the nationals with 22 kayakers posting the best River City result in the five years they have competed at this level.

Club spokesman Stephen Lace said each Wanganui competitor returned home with at least one medal and a third place in the teams challenge missing second spot by just 1.25 points against 10 other regional clubs from throughout the country.

Five years ago Wanganui was the lowest ranked club in New Zealand.

The first two clubs at this year's nationals were nominated for the 2011 Club of the Year at the inaugural CRNZ sports awards and the club placed second just above Wanganui was the eventual winner.

"This result is the club's best and a meteoric rise from it's status as New Zealand's lowest ranked club only five years ago. It is also a reflection of the coaching and enthusiasm of head coach Aaron Cox who is ably assisted by development coaches Brian and Robyn Scott," Lace said.

Along with the Wanganui contingent, New Zealand's top paddlers were competing including current world 200m champion and Halberg finalist Lisa Carrington, former world champion (and Olympic medallist) Ben Fouhy, dual Olympian Steven Ferguson and Bejing Olympian Erin Taylor.

"The New Zealand kayak racing family is a tight and very positive group with significant ongoing contributions from some of the country's greatest Olympians, Alan Thompson, Ian Ferguson and Paul MacDonald," Lace said.

"Prior to this year's nationals, Canoe Racing NZ had noticed Wanganui's rapid progression into the kayaking family, having recently arranged for the club to be the caretakers of two near new New Zealand Team K4 kayaks. This recognition created storage issues in the clubrooms on Anzac Parade resulting in a fundraising effort to almost double the size of the building to accommodate the 11-metre, beautifully crafted, carbon fibre boats.

"Undoubtedly the results from the weekend have cemented Wanganui's position and justified the national body's faith in the club's abilities," Lace said.

Wanganui competitors yielded 76 top three placings and included 12 gold, 37 silver and 27 bronze.

Individual results (G = Gold, S = Silver, B = Bronze) included: Toby Brooke 3S 1B, Mandy Brooke 3G 2B, Max Brown 2S 1B, Peter Brown 2S, Aaron Cox 1G 3S, Lachie Cromar 4S 1B, Phoebe Cromar 2S 1B, Jenny Hiroti 3S 2B, Abbey Hurley 3B, Barry Hurley 2S, Liam Lace 1S 3B , Mark Lace 2G 2S, Aiden Nossiter 2G 4S 1B, Paige Nossiter 1S, James Rowe 3S 1B, Tim Rowe 1S 1B, Brian Scott 1G 3S, Robyn Scott 3G 2B, Amie Simpson 2B, Campbell Tanner 1S 1B, Erica Tanner 2B, Rose Wainhouse 3B.