For the second year running Alexandra’s Nick Collier has made the podium at the Nujiang Wildwater International Open. 

He placed third in the elite men’s kayak cross, backing up his success in 2023 when he won a silver medal in the challenge race at the same event. 

Nick said he felt confident going to China particularly in the challenge time trial event because of his whitewater experience gained at the Central Otago Whitewater club.

“However, the kayak cross has become my speciality, which resulted in a bronze.” 

Nick, the sole New Zealand representative this year to Nujiang, paddled in four events, the Men's K1 Short Distance, Men's K1 Long Distance, Men's Kayak Cross and Men's K1 Challenge.

Along with the bronze he placed seventh in long distance and challenge races and 14th in the short distance sprint. 

“I used the competition as a testing event, testing my speed, power and endurance, but also trying out new techniques and methods. 

“There are not many race opportunities that you can do this. Ultimately it's the experience which is the greatest benefit. The experience of competing on the world stage and dealing with the pressure that comes with that.”

The racing was held in Lu Shui City, in the Yunnan province, China on the Salween River (also known as the Nujiang or Nu River). 

He landed back in New Zealand on Christmas Eve, and is now focussed on preparing for the domestic and continental competition season.

There are a swathe of kayaking events coming up where he hopes to feature, including the Mangahao Open in Palmerston North (January 10-12), Sydney’s Oceania Continental Championship (January 24-26), the Kayak Cross Open, Aotearoa Open and New Zealand Open all held at Vero Wero in Auckland (February 4-9) and the Australian Open in Sydney (February 21-23). 

“My goal for the domestic season is to qualify for the New Zealand senior and under 23 teams which opens up international competition halfway through 2025. Another goal is to beat Finn Butcher in a kayak cross event.”

A photo Nick took while in the Yunnan region in China. PHOTO: Supplied

Nick said it was a “short sharp trip in China” but he made the most of it, exploring local markets, trying cuisine and visiting a monk temple high on the mountain overlooking the city.

Mid-2024 Nick competed in the U23 Kayak Cross World Championship in Slovakia, finishing ninth out of 79 competitors. 

Nick on the water in Slovakia in July 2024. PHOTO: Supplied

In August 2023 he won silver at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Krakow, Poland. 

The former Dunstan High School pupil has been living in Cambridge and studying at the University of Waikato, and working part time as the canoe slalom coach for the Matamata club. 

He has recently been awarded the Prime Minister Scholarship for 2025, which alongside the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship will support his final undergraduate year.

Nick has three papers to complete after studying part-time in 2024 to focus on the Olympic trials.

He has been kayaking for the past ten years but his path to the world stage in his chosen sport hasn’t been without challenges.

In 2021 he was selected for the U18 world championship, but the Covid-19 pandemic halted the New Zealand team’s travel plans.

In 2022 he was selected for the U23 world championship in Italy, but he broke his back whitewater kayaking six weeks before the competition which ruled him out.

Following recent successes, he is ranked 127th in the world for men's canoe slalom and 32nd for kayak cross.

Read more: Central paddlers medal haul in Canoe Slalom National Champs.

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