Under blue skies in sunny Perth, Champion Lakes came alive with colour, energy, and world‑class racing as this year’s National Sprint Championships delivered a spectacular week of competition.
The atmosphere was electric, with athletes, volunteers, spectators, and officials creating a vibrant celebration of our sport.
It was not only an incredible achievement for our WA athletes, but also a major accomplishment for event organisers. Paddle WA extends its deepest thanks to the Sprint Discipline Committee, whose meticulous planning and seamless delivery ensured a smooth and professional championship experience for everyone involved.
Our grateful thanks also goes to the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, who generously supported with event funding, in addition to their ongoing support of paddling in Western Australia.
Western Australia has once again demonstrated its depth, talent, and world‑class development pathway with an exceptional showing, and our athletes are well on their way to delivering one of the strongest collective performances on record. With 19 athletes already selected across the Senior, U23, Junior, and Asia-Pacific Cup teams, and the Paracanoe team to be announced next week, WA is poised to match or exceed last year’s record representation of 20 athletes.
Ramon Andersson, Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Head Canoeing Coach highlighted some standout performances, and the importance our integrated support system plays in athlete development:
World Championships
- Luke Egger has been selected on the Senior World Cup team, departing for Europe in May. Marking the beginning of the new two-year Olympic qualification period where final selection for World Champs will be determined.
- Sammy Lourey delivered a standout regatta to comfortably qualify for the U23 World Championships team, while balancing the demands of his medical degree.
- Gen Stanley (U23 C2 500) earned her first World Championship selection.
- Sam Meyers and Abbey Major (TA) both showed strong progression across the season. While narrowly missing U23 selection, they are encouraged by their performances and already focused on next season.
Asia-Pacific Cup (U21)
WAIS Scholars:
- Zoe Moore
- Claudia Ketteringham
- Belle McBennett
All three athletes have been selected in the four-person U21 team for the Asia-Pacific Cup in New Zealand this May.
Junior Pathway Success
- Outstanding representation across the junior ranks, particularly in the U16 boys, where 7 of the 8 selected athletes are from WA.
- Stella Dark (WA Sprint Pathways Program – WASP) has earned selection to her first Junior World Championships team (Halifax, Canada – July), following an excellent season highlighted by her 2nd place in the K1 500m.
- Orlando Fonseca, Paddle Australia, and Paddle WA Junior Paddler of the Year, delivered a dominant performance in U16 events:
- Gold – K1 200, 500, 1000
- Gold – K2 200, 500, 1000
- Emma Jarvis (U16 Women’s K1 200) and Ellie Neervoort (U16 Women’s K1 500) both claimed national titles.
- Emma Jarvis and Ellie Neervoort combined to win all K2 events (200, 500, 1000), confirming their selection to represent Australia at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Cup.
A special mention to ParaCanoeist Griffin Angelatos, who has been selected for the U16 Asia-Pacific Cup, as an able-bodied athlete.
Griffin’s progression highlights the strength of our integrated support system across Bayswater Paddlesports program, WAIS Para Hub and AIS engineering team (prosthetic development enabling high-performance competition) and this collaboration has enabled him to compete at an exceptional level.
Regional talent also continues to shine, with Fergus Walker, a Busselton-based athlete earning national selection from outside the metro training hubs.
“A special mention to Para canoeist Griffin Angelatos, who has been selected for the U16 Asia-Pacific Cup, as an able-bodied athlete.”
Ramon Andersson, WAIS Head Coach – Canoeing.
The results highlight the strength of WA’s integrated high‑performance system and the commitment of coaches, clubs, and families across the state.
“The Pathways Program has undergone a transformation, Nathan’s leadership and Michelle’s work through the Sprint Technical Committee have taken our junior pathway to a new level of professionalism. The results speak for themselves.”
Ramon Andersson, WAIS Head Coach – Canoeing.
Clubs at the forefront of our national success
The success of WA’s athletes is due to the high calibre of local coaching programs, particularly those run at Bayswater Paddlesports and Swan Canoe Club.
The Bayswater Sprint Program under Selma Alibegovic and Nathan Vartesi continues to set the national benchmark, their professionalism and consistency are producing exceptional young athletes year after year.
Bayswater’s contribution was matched by a standout year for the sprint program led by Demi O’Brien at Swan Canoe Club, which celebrated five national team selections.
“Demi’s program at Swan Canoe Club has surged in strength. Five selections from one community club speaks volumes about the quality of coaching, culture, and athlete development happening there.”
Ramon Andersson, WAIS Head Coach – Canoeing.
Looking Ahead
I’m incredibly proud of our coaches, support staff, volunteers, clubs, and families. This year’s results are a testament to a strong, united pathway, and to the extraordinary dedication of our athletes. Western Australia continues to punch well above its weight.
Ramon Andersson, WAIS Head Coach – Canoeing.
A full event summary is available on the Paddle Australia website.