Alexandra’s Nick Collier said he’s “stoked” with his results at China’s Nu Jiang Wildwater Canoeing International Open.

His best result was a silver medal in the K1 challenge race time trial on Leaping Tiger Gorge Rapid. 

In his other events, the short distance and men's kayak cross, he was placed fifth and in the long distance he finished in eighth place.

Nick said he felt good paddling on the Salween River, also known as the Nujiang or Nu River, the longest undammed river in mainland Southeast Asia.

“I felt comfortable paddling there after training on my similar home rapids of the Kawarau River." 

Nick at the Nu Jiang Wildwater Canoeing International Open. PHOTO: Supplied

Nick participated in the 2024 Mangahao Open at the Mangahao Whitewater Centre in Shannon on January 13 and 14. 

The racing in Horowhenua doubled as the first 2024 New Zealand Canoe Slalom team selection race. 

"I placed third in senior K1 men behind Finn Butcher and Callum Gilbert and first in U23 K1 men, which means I'm tracking well to make the senior New Zealand K1 mens team and have essentially secured my spot in the U23 K1 men team. Just one more race to go, the New Zealand Open on February 10-11." 

Nick has also captured the attention of selectors.

He was pre-selected for the 2024 New Zealand Under 23 Kayak Cross Team because of his second placing at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Krakow, Poland back in August 2023.

“This means I’ll be competing at the U23 World Championship in Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia, in July. But, I’m still gunning to make the NZ U23 and Senior Canoe Slalom team at the upcoming selection races.” 

Read more: Central paddler Nick Collier off to race in China.

Read more: Alexandra paddler’s ‘dream comes true’ with silver medal.