Whitewater park gets 10 out of 10

Lewis Groos and Jared Williams, of Tauranga Boys' College, compete in the under-16 male C2 event on day one of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoe Slalom Championships at the Hawea Whitewater Park yesterday.

There are 86 athletes from around the country, and even Australia, taking part, split across under-14, under-16 and under-18 age groups and competing in C1, C2, and K1 events.

Gordon Rayner, of Alexandra, who masterminded the creation of the whitewater park in 2012, said it was the first time the secondary school championships had been held there, and it was very pleasing to see it being used for such an event. He said feedback had been fantastic.

Rob Sperling, kayaking coach at Tauranga Boys' College, rated the course 10 out of 10 and said his team had been buzzing with excitement all day.

The competition continues today and tomorrow.