Brent Bastin dominates C1M over the weekend

Tauranga canoe slalom athlete Brent Bastin is one of the Bay of Plenty kayakers heading into the North Island Championships in Kawerau this weekend.

Tauranga canoe slalom athlete Brent Bastin is confident heading into the North Island Championships in Kawerau this weekend after a competitive workout on the Kaituna River last Saturday.

“The overall race winner then was Johann Roozenburg, who recorded a fast time and cleaned out the field,” says Brent. “He had two clean runs and was pleased with his day’s racing.”In the C1 race Brent paddled two solid runs to win by a “solid margin”. He was pleased with his performance this early in the season and is on track for the world cup in June and the world championships in September.“It is important to have these benchmarks when your peak for racing is set for September – to make sure you are achieving your goals during winter training,” says Brent. Nikki Whitehead put in a strong performance winning the K1 women’s race.The masters was a close race with Chris Wood having two solid runs to take the win.In the juniors, Jane Nicholas and Carl Whitehead won the K1 U18 men and K1 U18 women’s. Haven Bellamy won in the U18 C1 men’s.
By Helen Wilson The Weekend Sun March 5th 2010

Oceania Championships Australia

Hot and sticky was the only way to describe the conditions as the NZL athletes counted down to the Oceania Championships. Michael Dawson 2009 Oceania Champion felt well prepared and ready for the challenge admidst a top international class field of over 200 athletes from around the world. His times were fast but a 50 second penalty laid waste to a chance at the title 2010. He proved his mettle in the Invitational Race winning it well ahead of top international kayaker Dejan Karijl (SLO) and laying down the gauntlet for the European season starting in May. Mike Dawson commented" my times are fast and I know I am easily within reach, I am disappointed I was slightly off line forcing me to head duck the gate allowing a 50 s penalty. I know what I still need to work on." Mike continues training in Australia until the end of March. Congratulations to Mike on being awarded a 2010 Prime Ministers Athlete Scholarship.

Louise Jull continued her fine form heading into the semi finals of the K1W and C1W. The C1W an up and coming class developed over the past three years is showing the women's ability in this difficult discipline. Congratulations to Louise on her performances in both classes. Watch out for this women in C1 at the World Championships in Slovenia later this year.

Brent Bastin was unable to compete in Australia due to family commitments however he continues to be training hard in NZL and is planning on leaving NZL for his European build- up in late May


The Trust wishes to acknowledge the support of FourWinds for the following athletes as they work and train towards success in Europe at the World Cups and World Championships.