The 2nd annual New Zealand Secondary School Kayaking National Championships took place at Lake Tikitapu over the weekend, and we saw some amazing and inspiring performances from the next generation of young paddlers. This was a School Sport NZ sanctioned event, with national titles and school pride up for grabs.
With long distance racing on Saturday, followed by 250m K1 and K2 sprints and team relay racing on Sunday, year 9-13 school students from across Aotearoa represented their schools proudly and admirably, racing their mates and making new ones. One of the aims of this event is to open up our sport to students that may not currently be involved and it was awesome to see new faces on the water and everyone creating an exciting event vibe, despite some challenges from the weather.
Congratulations to all paddlers and placegetters, and thank you to all schools, teachers and parents for supporting their students to compete.
Thank you to Waka Ama New Zealand for sharing their resources prior to their event and allowing this event to be possible.
2025 NZ Secondary School Kayaking National Champions
Long Distance race
- 14&U Male – Jakob Robbers, Cambridge High School
- 14&U Female – Iris Davis, Takapuna Grammer School
- 16&U Male – Jake Botha, Westlake Boys High School
- 16&U Female – Taylor Newman, Gisborne Girls High School
- 18&U Male – Maxwell Kennedy, Gisborne Boys High School
- 18&U Female – Jacqueline Kennedy, Gisborne Girls High School
K1 250m Sprint
- 14&U Male – Jakob Robbers, Cambridge High School
- 14&U Female -Riria Ata ,Gisborne Girls High School
- 16&U Male – Jake Botha, Westlake Boys High School
- 16&U Female – Alexis Toy, Whanganui Girls College
- 18&U Male – Maxwell Kennedy, Gisborne Boys High School
- 18&U Female – Jacqueline Kennedy, Gisborne Girls High School
K2 250m Sprint
- 14&U Male – Max Bowden / Alex Green , Westlake Boys High school
- 14&U Female – Riria Ata / Charlotte Willoughby , Gisborne Girls High School
- 16&U Male – Nukutai / Matene Baker, Napier Boys High School
- 16&U Female – Taylor Newman / Georgia Hamblyn, Gisborne Girls High School
- 18&U Male – Maxwell Kennedy / James Hamblyn, Gisborne Boys High School
- 18&U Female – Jacqueline Kennedy / Hannah Webb, Gisborne Girls High School
3x 100m School Team Relay
- 14&U Male – Max Bowden / Jackson Wright / Jackson Powles, Westlake Boys High school
- 14&U Female – Riria Ata / Charlotte Willoughby / Pyper Wainohu, Gisborne Girls High School
- 16&U Male – Jake Botha / Lucas GIlberd /Caleb Maunder, Westlake Boys High School
- 16&U Female – Taylor Newman / Georgia Hamblyn / Celia Willoughby, Gisborne Girls High School
- 16&U Mixed – Noah Elmiger / Mika Elmiger / Carter Hills, Whangaparaoa College
- 18&U Male – Maxwell Kennedy / James Hamblyn / Oliver Egan , Gisborne Boys High School
- 18&U Female – Jacqueline Kennedy / Hannah Webb / Levke Krueger, Gisborne Girls High School
- 18&U Mixed – Cole Fraser / Tama Hawkins / Grace Richardson, Mt Maunganui College
See full results
See event photos thanks to Sally Cameron
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