First Kiwi whitewater park to improve Olympic chances

Vector Wero Whitewater Park officially opened in Manukau today, promising kayaking and rafting opportunities for New Zealand youth.

Prime Minister John Key declared the park, which features a man-made river, open, and said in his address that this facility would help to build stronger relationships with youth and communities.

Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) senior lecturer for Sport and Recreation, Matt Barker, said the close proximity and controlled nature of the park will be extremely beneficial to students.

“It’s so close to our campus,” he said. “We can also really fine-tune our skills much more so than we can on a real river because you can practice a move over and over.”

Slalom-kayaker Callum Gilbert, 20, who also used the course today, agreed. “Being so close to the airport and the city, I think it’s going to be really easy for other people to get involved as well.”

His team mate Anna Higgins, 21, said the park will also allow kayakers from all over New Zealand to build stronger relationships.

“Bringing everyone together in the same place just gets that team environment going as well,” she said.

Both are hoping to make the 2020 Olympics, something Kiwi Olympian and General Manager of the park Ian Ferguson said the facility has increased the chance for.

“It just means we’re now going to be in running for medals at Olympics from now on,” he said. “Our base of kayakers will just grow rapidly.”

Distinguished guests watch demonstrations of the potential of the course. Photo: Jessie Chiang

The Second Nature Charitable Trust, who manages the complex, has placed subsidies in place for students and its chief executive Richard Jeffery said they are there to stay.

“If you’re a corporate and you have a conference here, the profit doesn’t go to a shareholder, it goes back in the community to give access to our kids,” he said.

The park has multiple bookings already, with a group of 60 from AUT testing the waters tomorrow for team building skills.