Dunstan High School’s Tom Goldsmith (17) had a “cool experience” competing in the U18 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Ivrea, Italy.

After some solid performances in the heats, the year 12 student performed above expectations, reaching the semi-finals in the canoe slalom* (K1) and the quarter-finals in the extreme slalom race**. 

There were around 80 boats in each of his two races, and about 30 boats got through to the semi finals. 

It was Tom’s first World Champs and he said he was really pleased with his results.

“There were some world class paddlers in the juniors,” he told The Central App.

One of ten young paddlers in the NZ team, Tom said his first trip overseas was culturally interesting and different. 

“I’ll hopefully qualify for next year’s event, which is going to be in Krakow, Poland.”

Prior to his trip and at the height of training Tom was on the river eight or nine times a week. 

His sessions ranged from 45 minutes to one and a half hours at a time. Usually he paddles on the local rivers, Mata-au (Clutha) or Kawarau (at Roaring Meg) and occasionally at Tekapo. 

His pathway into the sport was through a year eight school canoe polo team. That led him to the local Central Otago White Water club and exploring the white water around Central.

“I love the sport, I love what I do…I love paddling.

“There’s such a thrill of competing and getting on big water, that’s what drives me.”

Tom said he’s always had an interest in extreme sports and the local white water community has been a big support and motivator for him.

Unfortunately, fellow paddler Nick Collier (18) from Alexandra was unable to travel to Italy to race due to a vertebra fracture. 

Tom’s achievements are especially notable as he has been without a coach for the past season, and has largely had to raise funds himself.

“I work at the Four Square… I had to pay my own way to Italy… I got a new kayak over there too.”

The new kayak cost him around $3,500 and although he has two different boats, he’s saving for another one, having left one behind in Europe without being able to sell it.

Tom said he doesn’t have a preference between canoe slalom or the extreme race; he likes both of them equally.

For the extreme slalom four paddlers slide off a ramp more than two metres above the water and splash onto the course

He said he wants to help develop others in the sport as much as he can.

“At the moment I’m getting together canoe slalom coaching for nationals for younger ones… and I do canoe polo [refereeing] too.”

Tom said he wants to continue with the sport after highschool.

“I’ve got a passion for extreme sports and pushing my limits.”

When he’s not on the river, skiing and mountain biking are his other hobbies. 

Learn about Tom’s races:

*Canoe slalom is a timed event navigating a whitewater course of a combination of upstream and downstream gates. Each course is 300 metres long with a maximum of 25 gates, and a minimum of six upstream gates.

Canoe slalom is contested by two types of boat, canoe (C) and kayak (K). In canoeing, a single-blade paddle is used and competitors kneel. A double-bladed paddle is used in a seated position in a kayak.

**Extreme slalom is a combination of all white water disciplines, raced in identical plastic creek boats. Paddlers negotiate downstream and upstream buoys, and contact is allowed. A compulsory kayak roll, (a complete 360 degree flip) needs to be completed. Disqualification can be due to breaking the start, missing a buoy, dangerous paddling, or failing the roll. It is tactical and paddlers have choices, including which side of the course they take.

See the International Canoe Federation’s website about the different types of canoe and kayak here.