Paddlers from across the country went head-to-head in the 200 metre races, as the 2024 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships reached the halfway point today.
For Australia’s Paralympians and Paris hopefuls, it was a chance to test themselves over the Paralympic distance, with the Games only 173 days away.
Two-time Paralympian and world champion Dylan Littlehales raced in both Para and Open Men’s finals today, an opportunity for him to gain extra race experience.
“I went out and did the opens just before the Para race, it just gives me good race experience,” Littlehales said.
“That’s the Nationals all done for me, so we’ll head back to the Gold Coast before wait on selection decisions and hopefully head to the World Championships in Szeged, Hungary,” he said.
Queenslander Jasmine Rayward added another gold medal to her haul, taking out the U18 Women’s K1 200 final.
“I don’t usually do the 200m, but I managed to hold it together pretty well,” Rayward said.
“My preferred distance is definitely 1000, I’m happy to do the 500 but doing the 200 will improve my racing as well,” she said.
Rayward also had a chance to line up against some of the world’s best in the Open Women’s K1 500.
“Doing the Open 500 final, seeing the best in the world close to me, and getting to watch them in action was fantastic.” Rayward said.
“It’s always awesome when you get to race someone who’s so good,” she said.
New South Welshman Charlie Heaton-Armstrong enjoyed the challenge of racing over a shorter distance on the third day of the National Championships.
“That felt unreal, it’s good to be racing against all these boys and it’s perfect conditions for it – I’m just loving it out here,” Heaton-Armstrong said.
“My goal for this year is to compete at the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria, so it’s all about working towards that,” he said.
The Canoe Sprint Championships also features some of Australia’s youngest paddlers. One of those competing today was West Lakes’ Nathan Ness.
“It’s a great experience to race at the same time as some of Australia’s best paddlers,” Ness said.
“It’s really inspiring and makes me think that I can do better and go further,” he said.
Two more days of racing remain at the 2024 PA Canoe Sprint Championships. For the full schedule – click here
To catch up on all the results from the regatta so far – click here
