Top New Zealand canoe slalom paddlers Mike Dawson and Luuka Jones have had a sneak preview of the Lee Valley whitewater course ahead of the London Olympics.
The Tauranga pair, who have already qualified for London, were invited to compete as fore-runners in the Great Britain Olympic trials, kick-starting a three-week training block on the purpose-built artificial course.
"The course has changed a bit from when we were last here racing in October but there are still heaps of holes and stoppers to knock you off-line and into the poles," Dawson said. "The configuration of the course means there is a lot going on as you try and get through the gates. You can get thrown around a bunch and it's really easy to take a lot of water over the boat. I love paddling here but it's really physical - after 10 days of hard training, my arms feel like lead and my body feels like it's falling apart."
Jones, who also competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is happy with the way her training is going, though she admits the build-up to London is proving mildly distracting.
"With less than 85 days to go until the Games, the venue is on lock down, with only accredited athletes and officials allowed entry," Jones said. "The grandstands are being erected around the outside of the course and temporary buildings being put up - it was exciting to see them and it enforced how close the Games actually are."