New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoe Slalom Nationals, held on the white water course at Tekapo from 1st to 5th April, was a thrilling showcase of young and talented paddlers from around the country. It was a proud moment for Shirley Boys' High as we were represented for the first time ever.

The slalom course was challenging and many paddlers struggled, resulting in quite a few of them taking an unplanned dip in the water. However, Eli Robertson and Bowen Abraham, representing SBHS in the U18 category, stepped up to the challenge, and with two exceptional runs, Eli finished 4th while Bowen secured 9th position. Kieran Abraham also put in an impressive performance in the U16 category, finishing in 13th position.

The boys combined their paddling prowess for a Teams run in the senior K1 event and won a bronze medal! This was a significant achievement for them as a team, considering they were competing against experienced and skilled paddlers.

Next up was the Kayak Cross where the paddlers launched off an elevated ramp and raced down a challenging set of rapids, with a compulsory roll towards the end. The results of their time trial set the heats for head-to-head racing, where four people race the course at once with some pushing and shoving around the gates. Bowen and Eli both made it to the semi-finals, displaying some impressive skills and placing 5th and 7th. Kieran also put up a good fight, finishing in 22nd position.

The final event was freestyle kayaking, which involved doing tricks in a feature of the river. Points were scored for tricks such as spins, loops, paddle twirls, and cartwheels. Bowen shone in this event, displaying his skills and making it to the final, where he won a well-deserved silver medal.

The event was a great success, and the participation of Shirley Boys' High was particularly noteworthy, marking their first appearance in the competition. The school and the paddlers can be proud of their achievements and look forward to future competitions with confidence. The New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoe Slalom Nationals showcased some of the best young paddlers in the country, and an opportunity to hear from and paddle alongside several Olympians. It proved to be an exhilarating event for both the participants and the spectators alike.

Eli stayed on to also compete in the Open Nationals, finishing a very respectable 3rd in the U18 Mens B final.