2012 Sprint Championships - Wrap up and what's next

The NSW Sprint Championships were held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith last weekend. Over 160 paddlers completed in 125 races over a very busy couple of days. Conditions were almost perfect except for a bit of heavy rain towards the end of the program on Sunday.

Events were held for junior, open and veteran competitors with the open events attracting the majority of top paddlers from around the country as they gear up for the Olympic qualification and selection events in March. Check out the photos and videos at AC and some other links.

In the open events Murray Stewart from NSW (MWKC) dominated with first place in the men’s K1 500m &1000m and second place in the K1 200m. Alana Nicholls from WA won the women’s K1 in all three distances. The full set of results has some excellent performances in all divisions. Anyone who won a medal but did not receive it on the day should contact sprintpaddlensw [dot] org [dot] au.

A highlight of the event was the use of the new starting gates which provided a great opportunity for the many competitors who had not used them before. What a great experience for the many non-elite paddlers who entered.

A small army of volunteers kept the weekend running smoothly and on time. Many got the opportunity to use the starting, timing and video systems that are required for an event like this. Some were heard to say that they wish they had entered the races. The PaddleNSW Sprint Committee is extremely grateful the AC officials and the numerous members of clubs like LCRK, WCC, SP, SNBKC and MWKC who gave up some of their weekend to make the NSW Sprint Championships a success.

On the 2^nd to 4^th of March SIRC will be the venue for the Oceania Championships where Australia will be competing with other countries to qualify for positions at the London Olympics. Then on 14^th to 18^th of March there is the National Sprint Championships where the Olympic team will be selected. Both events will be excellent opportunities to see Australia’s best at their best. Spectators are welcome and volunteer officials are required for both these events.

Later this year PaddleNSW will be hosting the NSW Sprint Series. These four events, also at SIRC, will be held in the second half of 2012 and are designed to encourage PaddleNSW members to have a go at sprinting in a friendly and unintimidating atmosphere while still allowing everyone to improve and track their progress.

Give it a go! For more information contact sprintpaddlensw [dot] org [dot] au.

If you won a medal at the championships and have not recieved it yet please contact sprintpaddlensw [dot] org [dot] au so we can send it to you. Thank you