WAIS Paddlers Sweep Medals at State Kayak Champs

Published On: 24 February 2009

Nicholls and Russ have continued their dominant form

Excellent conditions greeted paddlers for the State Flatwater Kayak Championships at the Champion Lakes Regatta on the weekend with WAIS athletes dominating all disciplines.

With record entries and a high number of juniors competing – which bodes well for the future of the sport here in WA – it was fitting that Lisa Russ (Hilton)a product of the first TID program 15 years ago, showed that following a post Beijing break that she is well on track to return to medal winning form by claiming the prized K1 500m from Alana Nicholls (Dianella) with Jenni Bateman (Wembley) in third.

Russ also won the K1 1000m from Bateman and NTID paddler Hailey McGinty. Russ teamed up with partner AlanaNicholls andmade the K2 200m, 500m and 1000m all their own way and will be one of the crews to beat for the National Championships here in Perth from 11 – 15 March. The explosive Nicholls shone in her pet K1 200m eventto win by a length ahead of Russ with McGinty in third.

The men’s eventssaw Reece Baker’s (Marmion) excellent season continue where he recorded comfortable wins in the K1 500m and 1000m which should give him a lot of confidence going into Nationals. Jesse Phillips (Nollamara) was second on both occasions with Daniel Bowker (Kingsley) third in the 1000m and Steve Bird (Mt Pleasant) third in the 500m. Phillips reversed the trend in the K1 200m with a narrow victory over 2007 Champion Bird with Baker back in third.

The K2 events saw the combination of Phillips and Bird win all three events, however the crew of Bowker and Baker almost caused a boilover in the K2 1000. Baker and Bowker put ina sizzling last 250m which saw them come from over a length down to pull up level with Phillips and Bird in the last 50m. It was only a misjudged lunge for the line by Baker and Bowker that prevented a photo finish.

WAIS Head Coach Ramon Andersson said, “The quality of racing was high and provided paddlers with a good hit out as Nationals approach. There was some close racing and some encouraging times which should give the paddlers some confidence.”

Most of the squad will be competing in the State Surf Lifesaving Championships this weekend.