2026 Junior Guppy Camp and Sprint Regatta. Main image đź“· Jade Lane
The 2026 Junior Guppy Camp and Sprint Regatta once again delivered three days of excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable moments, bringing together sixteen eager juniors from four clubs across the metro area. Held in January, the camp combined two days of training with a full day of racing at Sprint Regatta #4, offering young paddlers a fun, supportive introduction to the world of sprint kayaking.
A Growing Community of Young Paddlers
Coach Shania Smee led this year’s camp and was thrilled with both the turnout and the energy of the group. With a mix of fresh faces and returning paddlers, the program welcomed one of its largest cohorts of young girls in recent memory – a promising sign for the future of the sport.
“It’s always incredible to watch our juniors connect and form new friendships on the water,” Shania shared. “Seeing new paddlers learning alongside more experienced juniors is truly special.”
The vibrancy wasn’t just on the water. Parents, volunteers, and club supporters created a buzzing, positive atmosphere from start to finish. As volunteer coach Jade Lane described it, the guppies’ energy was “outstanding from 8am until tying the boats back onto the trailer.”
Skill Building, Teamwork, and Laughter
Across the three days, the juniors embraced every challenge. From technique sessions and team‑building drills to bigger lessons about race preparation, safety, and resilience. Thoughtful session planning ensured each activity balanced fun with skill development.
One of this year’s major highlights was the GK4 events. The junior crews impressed both coaches and spectators with their self‑organised warm‑ups, race planning, and tight teamwork over the 500m distance. Their determination and synchronicity earned some of the loudest cheers of the day.
At the other end of the spectrum, pure chaos and laughter when the crowd‑favourite inflatables race once again stole the show. Sibling pair Talisa (U10) and Orlando (U16) earned a special mention for their spirited performance in these decidedly “less streamlined vessels.”
Memorable Race Day Moments
Race day delivered standout performances and charming surprises. A particularly heartwarming moment came when WAIS athlete Sammy interviewed several juniors live over the PA system. Their candid, honest answers won the crowd over instantly.
When asked to summarise the regatta, 11‑year‑old Ellie offered the perfect one‑word review: “Awesome.”
Coaches noted the juniors’ composed handling of the start line, with many even choosing to take on additional races, including three boys who spontaneously entered an extra 500m K1.
The Power of Volunteers and Community Support
The success of the camp rested heavily on a strong volunteer team. Massive thanks go to Mary Dark, Lene Pausch, Sarah Major, Taya Cassidy, Jade Lane, Dante Felt, Alicia Solino, Orlando Fonseca, and Camilla Barbi for their safety support, encouragement, and on‑water assistance.
Their dedication helped create an environment where young paddlers felt safe, supported, and ready to push their limits.
Building the Pathway to Lifelong Paddling
Both Shania and Jade emphasised the camp’s role as a vital entry point into sprint kayaking. Events like these show juniors that the sport welcomes all abilities and that success isn’t defined solely by results, but also by teamwork, effort, and a love for being on the water.
“This camp has the potential to ignite the flame that creates robust, team‑focused and potentially high‑performance paddlers,” Jade said. “It’s the grassroots of the pathway.”
For many guppies, the biggest achievement wasn’t a medal – it was experiencing what it means to paddle together as a crew, meet new friends, and discover the thrill of trying something new.
Looking Ahead
The enthusiasm from this year’s camp is already building momentum. Bayswater Paddlesports continues to run trial sessions most Saturdays, and Paddle WA will advertise the next Guppy Camp in December.
To all juniors who took part this year, your teamwork, courage, and smiles made this an unforgettable event.
We can’t wait to see you back on the water again soon!
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