Club races started today, a totally different competition to what we saw in the elite section. Top national club teams from all over the country raced in the individual and W12 races.
Club colours were seen far and wide, signalling the start of the club section at this year's world championships.
Jesse Yates from Rotorua was in one of the first races. The U16 W1 gold medallist from the NZ nationals paddled against some of the best in the world.
“I'm just used to paddling on lake water which is harder but yeah it feels better on this one”, says Yates.
From the U16 to U19 grade, Ash Roozendaal is our top U19 individual paddler and won gold at this year's nationals. The Whakatāne paddler had a hard heat, paddling against a top Tahitian paddler.
“I felt like I started blowing out and it was the first race. For the next one I should be alright”, says Roozandaal.
Ash placed second in his heat. His teammate, Māori Tere, is also a former national champion. He was also in the U19 W1 heats and won his easily.
“It’s always a tough lesson especially at World’s,” says Tere.
Finals for the individual races will be held tomorrow.