Kayaking: Young guns stroke up the fire at kayak champs

On the weathered face of Ian Ferguson yesterday, it was hard to hide a wide smile.

The four-time Olympic champion might have just witnessed his son Steven claim another national title at the New Zealand sprint kayak champs at Lake Pupuke but as New Zealand high performance director he was more excited about what others were doing.

Steven Ferguson shook off the effects of a dislocated shoulder suffered two weeks ago while surf lifesaving to claim gold in the glamour event of the day - the K1 1000 - in a course record and personal best time.

Perhaps more significantly, less than half a boat length behind was 24-year-old Troy Burbidge, while 19-year-old Fred Teear was a close third. Add in the fact world champion and Olympic silver medallist Ben Fouhy was taking a break from racing and a handful of others in the final could still qualify for junior events, including the promising Shaun O'Connor, and the state of New Zealand kayaking looks in good shape.

"I think we could be on the verge of another golden era," Ferguson senior said. "At the Beijing Olympics it won't be just Ben winning a medal, it will be Ben and a few others as well.

"I'm really stoked and those times gave us an indication of where we're at. We've got some world-class paddlers now."

Ferguson clocked 3m 30.45s for the 1000m, while Burbidge timed at 3m 31s.

Expectations were lower than usual considering an event a year after an Olympics is often a more relaxed affair.

Steven Ferguson had taken a couple of months out of the boat to compete at the national swimming champs and surf lifesaving, while Fouhy, who returned to training last week and considered a late entry to compete this weekend, has also taken an extended break from the sport.

Ferguson came from behind in the final after trailing Burbidge until the final 150m. "I expected it to be very close because I haven't enjoyed the best build-up having dislocated my shoulder two weeks ago," Steven Ferguson said.

"I just raced more with my head than fitness-wise because I made sure I was there or thereabouts so I could come home strong.

"It's really exciting what's happening in kayaking and it's looking really good for Beijing."

Less than an hour later Ferguson teamed up with Burbidge to claim the K2 1000 title and he also picked up another gold in the K4 1000. He's hopeful of adding to that haul in the 500m events when racing gets under way today at 8.30am.

North Shore's Katie Pocock continued her domination of women's paddling when she picked up golds in the K1, K2 and K4 1000 events. The 26-year-old, who narrowly missed out on Olympic selection last year, is expected to claim another three golds in racing today.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY