Kayaking: Bliss Fest attracts more than 60 entries

Andrew Butler, of Dunedin, catches a wave at St Clair Beach on Sunday during the annual Bliss...
Andrew Butler, of Dunedin, catches a wave at St Clair Beach on Sunday during the annual Bliss Fest freestyle kayak event. Photo by Glen Riley.
More than 60 South Island kayakers converged on Dunedin for the annual Bliss Fest freestyle kayak event.

The event is in its fifth year and is part of the New Zealand freestyle kayak series which also features events in Tekapo, Rotorua and Taupo.

Kayakers competed across three events - a boatercross and a giant slalom on the Taieri River on Saturday, and a surf competition at St Clair Beach on Sunday.

In the men's division, former New Zealand junior freestyle kayak team member Jamie Sutton took the overall honours with a win in the boatercross, sixth place in the giant slalom and fifth in the surf competition.

Alexandra-based physiotherapist Megan Foster won the women's title with first-place finishes in the boatercross and giant slalom, and second place in the surf.

It was the first year a junior (under 18) category was held.

Fifteen-year-old Geoff Johnson took the overall title, holding off strong competition from fellow Dunstan High School pupil and New Zealand junior slalom team member Finn Butcher (14).

A veteran category (35+) was also added to the programme, with Alexandra lawyer Gordon Rayner (51) winning all three events and easily claiming overall honours.

 

 

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