Kayaker elated by win after 10 years of competing

He said this year's event was the first time he had won a main category after competing in the race for the past 10 years. He has previously competed in different categories such as doubles and teams of two or four.

"There was plenty of water for the whole race," he said. �You have to pick your way through the shallow section and the water's a bit deeper as you progress but by the time you get to Bells Rapids, the pressure is on to get through and make that last obstacle and then paddle on through to the finish.

�I knew I had a two-minute lead on Matt Dean from the day before but being so close on Sunday, we were neck and neck the whole way to the finish line, so I didn't want to compromise my time at Syd's Rapids.

"Those last few rapids are really stressful and Syd's is definitely a place where you can lose the race."