"I've definitely seen the jump from Northland to New Zealand nationals level so I also want to see the jump up from national up to international."
The jump from Northland to national level is what got Edwards to Canada, after finishing fifth and qualifying at the Kinloch OTU Sprint Triathlon in February.
Helping Edwards make the jump to international has been coach Warriner, often acting as a training partner as well.
Edwards says it has been an interesting transition, going from thinking of his coach as a Northland legend to his mentor.
"At first it was strange having her coach me, but now I look at her as a coach and not a Northland and New Zealand legend. She's really good. Since she's done the sport before she understands what I'm feeling and she still enjoys competing in the sport," Edwards said, adding that he got into triathlon after competing in the Allens Kids Triathlon and being picked up by Warriner from a have-a-go-day type event.
"Instead of standing there yelling at me from the side of the pool she'll get in and does the set with me, or the run set, and sets the pace sometimes.
"She's definitely great motivation, and her determination, I find, rubs off on to me."
Joining Edwards at his first international event will be mum Kelly, much to the relief of Edwards. Having a familiar face on the sidelines would make a difference for him, saying it would be nice to know he has a fan in Canada.
Kelly said it would be a bit of a coming of age for her son, who had kept her travelling around New Zealand for the last few years.
Also competing in the final series event would be fellow Whangarei triathletes Simone Ackermann and Nicky Samuels, racing in the elite category on Sunday (NZ time).
Yesterday Edwards had his first taste of international racing, finishing as the first Kiwi in fifth of the 16 to 19-year-olds at the Aquathon World Championships - which serves as a warm-up event for tomorrow's main event.
